What causes neck pain when waking up?
What causes a sore neck when you wake up?
- Your sleeping position. Everyone has their preferred sleeping position. ...
- Your pillow. Your head and neck spend many hours every night on your pillow, which is why choosing the right one is key to a healthy, pain-free neck.
- Sudden movement. ...
- Previous injury. ...
- Other causes of neck pain when you wake up. ...
Why does my neck hurt after waking up?
Why does my neck hurt when I wake up?
- Correct pillow: Pillows, like many other items, are incredibly personal choices. ...
- Mattress support: Incorrect mattresses are often a predominant cause for back and neck pain. ...
- Excessive sitting and work stress: While sitting could be a cause for back pain, it is also a cause for neck pain. ...
What is the best sleeping position for neck pain?
The Best Way to Sleep with a Sore Neck
- Best sleeping position for neck pain. If you’re dealing with neck discomfort, the best positions for sleep are on your back or side. ...
- Best way to sleep with neck pain. Your spine naturally arches in three places. ...
- Other considerations for sleeping with neck pain. ...
- Takeaway. ...
- 3 Yoga Poses for Tech Neck
Why does my neck hurt when looking up?
- Muscle strains
- Whiplash
- Traumatic injury
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
How do I get rid of neck pain when I wake up?
Some remedies for a stiff neck in the morning include:Ice or heat therapy. Applying ice shortly after a neck strain may help limit the swelling. ... Over-the-counter pain medication. ... Gentle stretching or self-massage. ... Pain assessment and activity modification.
Why does my neck hurt when I wake up in the morning?
One of the most common causes of neck pain is having your neck twisted or bent too far in any direction for a long time. If you wake up in the morning with a painful neck, it may be because your pillow is not supporting your head and neck in the right position, which is described as a "neutral" position.
How should I sleep to avoid neck pain?
Best Sleeping Positions for Neck Pain The best sleeping positions for the neck are on your back or your side. The back in particular is recommended; just make sure to use a pillow that supports the curvature of your neck and a flatter pillow to cushion your head.
Is it better for your neck to sleep without a pillow?
While research is limited, anecdotal reports show that sleeping without a pillow can help reduce neck and back pain for some sleepers. Stomach sleepers are generally best suited for going pillowless, because the lower angle of the neck encourages better spinal alignment in this position.
What kind of pillow is best for neck pain?
The Best Pillows for Neck PainBest Overall - Saatva Latex Pillow.Best Value - GhostBed GhostPillow - Shredded.Best for Side Sleepers - Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow.Best for Spinal Alignment - Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow.Best Adjustable - Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow.More items...•
How do I choose a pillow for neck pain?
The key is to find a pillow that is the right height and firmness for the person's size, sleeping position, and personal preferences.A pillow that is too high or firm does not allow the neck to relax fully during sleep. ... On the other hand, a pillow that is too flat also puts strain on the neck.
What is the healthiest sleeping position?
Sleeping on your back offers the most health benefits. It protects your spine, and it can also help relieve hip and knee pain. Sleeping on your back uses gravity to keep your body in an even alignment over your spine. This can help reduce any unnecessary pressure on your back or joints.
Can your mattress cause neck pain?
If the mattress is too firm, it will push on your pressure points and cause misalignment. If the bed is too soft, it will allow your body to sink into the bed, causing bad posture while you sleep, which can also result in neck or back pain.
Should your shoulders be on your pillow?
It should only be thick enough to create a straight line from your head and neck down through your spine. Your shoulders should not be on the pillow.
Is it healthy to sleep naked?
If sleeping naked helps you receive the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night, then it's worth trying. Research suggests that sleeping naked may potentially positively impact reproductive health, connection with a partner, and self-esteem.
Is my pillow causing neck pain?
Your pillow A pillow that doesn't support your head and neck properly can create tension in your neck muscles, and cause neck pain. Feather or memory-foam pillows may allow your head to be “cradled” at night, allowing for a neutral spine and neck.
Is it better to sleep with socks on or off?
Temperature regulation is an important part of falling asleep. Wearing socks in bed increases blood flow to feet and heat loss through the skin, which helps lower core body temperature. In turn, this helps a person get to sleep faster.
Should I sleep on the same side as my neck pain?
Side sleepers: Sleeping on the side is another good sleeping position for people with neck pain. Aligning the neck and abdomen regions of the spine can help reduce pressure on the cervical facet joint, stabilizing the neck and allowing it to move freely.
Can sleeping on your side cause shoulder and neck pain?
Does side sleeping cause shoulder pain? One notable drawback to sleeping on your side is that it can increase your risk of shoulder pain. Whether you're on your left or right side, the corresponding shoulder can collapse into the mattress as well as up toward your neck, creating misalignment and pain the next morning.
Wrong Choice of Pillow
That pillow you bought on your last visit to the supermarket may be the reason why your neck aches in the morning. If your neck has been resting on the wrong type of pillow every night, neck pain and stiffness are guaranteed.
Poor Posture
Experts suggest that the best position to sleep in during the night is on your back, as this allows your spine to rest easily. You can wedge a pillow under each arm or incline at a slight angle to avoid strain on your neck.
Aging Joints
Let’s not rule out aging joints. The fact of the matter is, our joint health tends to worsen as we get older. This is also why many older individuals complain of neck pain in the morning despite having slept in the right posture and with the right pillow.
Common causes of neck pain during sleep
Sleeping in a wonky position is notorious for causing a sore neck. But neck injuries caused by other factors can feel worse after sleeping, too.
The connection between sleep and neck pain
Does poor sleep cause neck pain, or does neck pain make sleep worse? The answer is…both. It’s no secret that lying in weird position can cause neck pain or magnify neck issues that you already have. What’s more, tossing and turning as you try find a comfortable position can make it harder to get a decent night’s rest.
Are you at risk for sleep-related neck pain?
The truth is, anyone can wake up with a sore or stiff neck. Sleep-related neck pain is a common ailment, and most of us will experience it at some point or another. The good news is that the problem is usually temporary and will go away on its own.
How to tell if sleep is hurting your neck
Stiffness or trouble turning your head tends to be a telltale sign of neck pain. The discomfort might feel worse when you hold your head in one place for long periods, like when you’re using the computer or driving. Neck issues can lead to headaches too, so if your noggin is throbbing, know that the two problems could be related.
Treating neck pain during sleep
You’ve figured out that your snooze sessions are either causing your achy neck or making it worse. So what can you do to find some relief and start sleeping better? As it turns out, you’ve got plenty of options that can help you get a good night’s sleep.
Other steps for managing neck pain
Sometimes neck pain relief calls for more than making some changes at sleep time. If you’re still struggling, these strategies can help.
The Takeaway
Nighttime neck pain can have a multitude of causes. The good news is that there are often plenty of solutions worth trying out, starting with making changes to your sleeping position, pillow, and even your mattress.
How to help a spasming neck?
If your neck pain is caused by a spasming muscle, heat can help it relax and get the blood flowing to it. A gentle massage of the area can sometimes work for the same reason, but be careful not to overdo it. Stretching, which may prove helpful as well, straddles the line between treatment and prevention.
What is the best position to sleep for neck pain?
The best sleeping position for neck pain is usually on the back. Back sleeping may not be right for you—it can aggravate sleep apnea, for example. In that case, sleeping on your side is the next best thing. Try to avoid stomach sleeping; it can put pressure on nerves that start in your neck, leading to further neck pain or radiculopathy ...
How to stop neck pain from ice?
Ditto an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like Motrin (ibuprofen). If it’s been a few days and your neck pain is stubbornly hanging around, switch from ice to heat. Again, 20 minutes on, 20 off is a good starting point.
How to cut down on neck pain?
Make a large clockwise circle with your nose, five times around. Make five circles counterclockwise. “Chin-alphabet”: using your chin as a pointer, gently sketch the alphabet from A to Z. You can stretch your neck muscles every day to cut down on strains. Stretching will help keep your neck limber, but if you want to really cut down on neck pain ...
How to stretch your neck?
Try stretching your neck through multiple planes of movement: Try to touch your right ear to your right shoulder. Push gently on the left side of your head. Come back through center, and repeat on the left side. Do 10 reps each of left and right.
Why is the spine so strong?
It’s strong because it has to be—it keeps you upright and moving and it fights gravity and other forces acting upon it pretty much 24/7. But its individual parts can be surprisingly delicate, especially in the neck, aka the cervical spine.
What is a wry neck?
Torticollis, also known as wry neck, is a condition where your neck is twisted or tilted at a funny angle. Some babies are born with it (congenital torticollis), and some people pick it up from a variety of sources.
Why does my neck hurt in the morning?
Choose the right pillow for neck pain relief. The most common cause of neck stiffness in the morning is our pillows. Most of the pillows do not support our necks properly. Everyone’s neck is unique in terms of length, thickness and muscle tension.
How to prevent neck pain in the morning?
The best way to prevent morning stiffness and pain is to have your neck supported as you sleep, finding the right pillow for neck pain. But before you start running off to get a contoured pillow, try this little towel roll trick first to determine whether a contoured pillow will of be any assistance to you.
What if the stiffness and neck pain persists with a new pillow?
If the pain and stiffness still persist, it is highly likely that you have been suffering from this for a long time . It would be beneficial for you to seek a few sessions of treatment with a physiotherapist to get your muscles released and joints mobilized before you feel the relief. Also, paying a conscious effort to watch your posture throughout the day would help prevent the stiffness and pain from developing the next morning.
Why does my pillow hurt at night?
If your pillow is too soft, your muscles will be working through the night to help stabilise your neck. The next morning the soft pillow may cause you to wake up with sore neck pain and achy muscles.
Why is it important to have a pillow for neck pain?
This is because as we sleep at night, our necks need to be well supported in a neutral position so as to give our muscles a break. If your pillow is too high, your neck will be in a flexed position, which puts a fair degree of stretch to your muscles, giving you an ache ...
Why do pillows hurt?
Here’s why a right pillow for neck pain is important 1 If your pillow is too high, your neck will be in a flexed position, which puts a fair degree of stretch to your muscles, giving you an ache and causing neck pain when you wake up in the morning. 2 When your pillow is too low, your neck is not supported and the joints between your vertebrae in your neck will compress onto each other, causing stiffness and neck pain in the morning when you wake up. 3 If your pillow is too soft, your muscles will be working through the night to help stabilise your neck. The next morning the soft pillow may cause you to wake up with sore neck pain and achy muscles.
How to get rid of stiffness in the morning?
Also, paying a conscious effort to watch your posture throughout the day would help prevent the stiffness and pain from developing the next morning.
What causes neck pain?
Your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, so it can be vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include: 1 Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over your computer or smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed or gritting your teeth, can strain neck muscles. 2 Worn joints. Just like the other joints in your body, your neck joints tend to wear down with age. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones (vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain. 3 Nerve compression. Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord. 4 Injuries. Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury, which occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck. 5 Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.
What causes neck pain when you are jerked backwards?
Injuries. Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury, which occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck. Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.
What to do if your neck hurts?
Seek immediate care if severe neck pain results from an injury, such as a motor vehicle accident, diving accident or fall. Contact a doctor if your neck pain: Is severe. Persists for several days without relief. Spreads down arms or legs. Is accompanied by headache, numbness, weakness or tingling.
How to prevent neck pain?
Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related wear and tear. To help prevent neck pain, keep your head centered over your spine. Some simple changes in your daily routine may help. Consider trying to: Use good posture.
What causes a bone spur in the neck?
Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones (vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain. Nerve compression. Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord. Injuries.
How to get rid of a swollen neck and shoulders?
When standing and sitting, be sure your shoulders are in a straight line over your hips and your ears are directly over your shoulders. Take frequent breaks. If you travel long distances or work long hours at your computer, get up, move around and stretch your neck and shoulders.
Can smoking cause neck pain?
Smoking can put you at higher risk of developing neck pain. Avoid carrying heavy bags with straps over your shoulder. The weight can strain your neck. Sleep in a good position. Your head and neck should be aligned with your body.
How to reduce neck pain?
Awareness of sleeping positions and proper pillows can minimize neck pain. As with so many things, when it comes to neck pain, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure. It's true that some causes of neck pain, such as age-related wear and tear, are not under your control.
Why do you put a pillow on your neck?
If the pillow is too large behind the neck, however, it will force your head forward.
What is the best position to sleep on your neck?
What is the best sleeping position for neck pain? Two sleeping positions are easiest on the neck: on your side or on your back. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck, with a flatter pillow cushioning your head.
Why is sleeping on your stomach so hard?
Sleeping on your stomach is tough on your spine, because the back is arched and your neck is turned to the side. Preferred sleeping positions are often set early in life and can be tough to change, not to mention that we don't often wake up in the same position in which we fell asleep. Still, it's worth trying to start the night sleeping on your back or side in a well-supported, healthy position.
Do cervical pillows help with neck pain?
Manufacturers of memory-foam pillows claim they help foster proper spinal alignment. Avoid using too high or stiff a pillow, which keeps the neck flexed overnight and can result in morning pain and stiffness.
Can pain disrupt sleep?
Additionally, it is well established that pain can disrupt sleep, contributing to a vicious cycle of pain disrupting sleep, and sleep problems contributing to pain. For the latest in sleep research, information about the numerous health conditions and medications that can interfere with normal sleep, as well as medications used to treat sleep ...
Does sleep affect musculoskeletal pain?
Research suggests that not just sleep position, but sleep itself, can play a role in musculoskeletal pain, including neck and shoulder pain. In one study, researchers compared musculoskeletal pain in 4,140 healthy men and women with and without sleeping problems. Sleeping problems included difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, waking early in the mornings, and non-restorative sleep. They found that people who reported moderate to severe problems in at least three of these four categories were significantly more likely to develop chronic musculoskeletal pain after one year than those who reported little or no problem with sleep. One possible explanation is that sleep disturbances disrupt the muscle relaxation and healing that normally occur during sleep. Additionally, it is well established that pain can disrupt sleep, contributing to a vicious cycle of pain disrupting sleep, and sleep problems contributing to pain.
