Neck Pain from Sleeping – Disabling and widespread, neck discomfort affects millions of people every year. A sore, stiff, or aching neck can also disrupt your nighttime rest.
If you suffer from neck stiffness or discomfort, read on to discover the best sleeping positions for alleviating your symptoms. Preventative measures and medical attention for neck pain are discussed below.
Neck Pain from Sleeping: Causes and Treatment
Possible causes of neck stiffness in bed include:
Awkward angle
While sleeping, the head or neck may get into an uncomfortable position that puts undue strain on the muscles, ligaments, and joints.
Sudden movement
Sleeping neck injuries can develop when you roll over in bed or react to a dream by making a quick movement that puts strain on your neck.
Preexisting injury
If you suffer an injury while awake, like whiplash, the pain and stiffness may not manifest until the next morning.
How to Treat a Sore Neck When You Wake Up
Options for alleviating morning neck stiffness include:
Ice or heat therapy
If you apply ice to a strained neck quickly after it happens, you might be able to reduce some of the swelling.
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The optimal duration of ice applications ranges from 10 to 20 minutes.
Heat therapy, such as a hot shower or heating pad, can assist loosen and relax tight muscles, which in turn can alleviate pain and increase range of motion.
Over-the-counter pain medication
Over-the-counter medicine may be recommended if the pain and stiffness are severe enough to considerably impede movement in one or more directions. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen are only a few examples.
Self-massage or light stretching
When you’ve found anything that helps with the pain, try stretching and/or massaging to loosen up the muscles and ligaments even more.
It’s fine if the discomfort and stiffness in your neck prevent you from completing some stretches to their maximum extent.
The aim is to enhance flexibility gradually without generating additional discomfort. As long as it doesn’t make things worse, massaging the tight spot on your neck with your hand and fingers can help, too.
Evaluation of pain and adjustments to daily routines
The effectiveness of these treatments for a stiff neck can be evaluated after a period of time has passed while you have been awake and active.
Avoid engaging in any physically demanding tasks today, and restrict your range of motion if it causes you pain, if your neck stiffness is still limiting your ability to move in one or more directions, or if you are experiencing severe or searing pain.
Full bed rest may prolong the duration of the stiff neck and pain, therefore getting up and moving around is still advised.
