Why Do I Wake Up With Neck Pain?

If you frequently wake up in the morning with a kink in your neck, you’re not alone. It’s a common complaint, and it’s one that can follow you through your day — as you brush your teeth, commute to work, attend your morning meetings, and beyond. 

Even if your persistent neck pain seems relatively minor, it can still impact your entire day. 

When you’re struggling with persistent neck pain, you just want relief. Dr. Sergio Alvarado and our team at Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio are here to offer expert care every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment. Read on as we discuss the ins and outs of morning neck pain.

Common causes of morning neck pain 

Sleep should leave you feeling rested and restored — not sore. Let’s take a closer look at what might be going on behind the scenes while you snooze.

Poor sleep posture 

Sleep positioning matters more than you might think. If your head and neck aren’t properly supported, your muscles can stay strained for hours. Side sleepers and stomach sleepers are especially at risk. You might wake up feeling stiff, limited in how far you can turn your head, or even have a headache. 

Sleeping on your back is best for your neck — provided you have a supportive mattress and pillow.   

The wrong pillow

The ideal pillow keeps your neck in a neutral, supported position for your natural neck curve. If your pillow is too high or too flat, it pushes your neck out of alignment. Good pillow options, including memory foam or cervical pillows. offer good neck support and help reduce strain. 

Finding the right pillow can take you from neck pain to a good night’s sleep. 

Stress or teeth grinding 

If you’re a nighttime teeth grinder (a condition called bruxism), you may experience jaw muscle tightness that radiates into your neck. Likewise, when you’re feeling stressed, it often shows up in your neck and shoulders. 

All that tension in your upper body can cause more neck stiffness, and even put you at an increased risk of injury. If you find that your morning neck pain is worse when you’re feeling more overwhelmed than usual, bruxism, stress, or both could be the culprit. 

Underlying condition 

Sometimes, chronic neck pain is the result of an underlying musculoskeletal condition, such as arthritis, a herniated disc, or cervical spondylosis. 

If you’re experiencing chronic neck pain, or if your neck pain is accompanied by numbness or weakness in your arms or hands, then you’ll want to have it checked out. 

When to see a specialist for neck pain

Occasional morning neck stiffness is typically nothing to worry about. But it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with our team if your neck pain: 

• Doesn’t resolve or improve after a day or two 
• Gets worse when you stretch or move your head
• Includes headaches, numbness, or tingling
• Makes it hard to turn your head normally
• Interferes with your sleep or daily activities

Tired of waking up with a stiff, achy neck? Our team at Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio can help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest office in San Antonio or Live Oak, Texas, today.