Waking up with stiffness in your neck can feel like a frustrating way to start the day. It can put a damper on any obligations or plans for the day, making them feel like a chore. And if the discomfort and pain last throughout the morning or even into the afternoon and evening, you might start to think it’s a cause for concern. So what can you do about your stiff neck, and how can you improve your sleeping habits to make sure it happens less often? Thankfully, there are some things you can do to make sure you’re getting a better night’s sleep, and to prevent this inconvenient pain from affecting your day.
What Is Causing My Stiff Neck?
To first understand how to fix your neck stiffness, you have to figure out what the root cause is. Some of the reasons you might be experiencing uncomfortable neck stiffness in the morning are:
- Unsupportive pillows or sleeping in an awkward position – having a pillow that is not properly supporting your neck and head can cause uncomfortable pain throughout the night, causing your neck to feel painful when you wake up. Additionally, sleeping at an awkward angle or position can cause your neck and shoulders to twist in ways they’re not supposed to, causing that stiffness.
- Sudden movement while sleeping – sometimes our bodies will have involuntary movement while sleeping, and this sudden movement can twist and strain your neck, which might go unnoticed throughout the night.
- Injury – if you’ve recently suffered an injury such as whiplash or have had a recent surgery or medical treatment for your neck or back, that can increase the likelihood of uncomfortable or awkward sleep. If that’s the case, it’s even more vital that you make sure you have the proper head, neck and shoulder support you need to help your body heal and to prevent further injury or discomfort while sleeping
With all these common causes in mind, you might be able to figure out what is causing your stiff neck in the first place, and move forward with better sleeping habits.
If Your Stiff Neck Persists
If you’ve been frequently waking up in the mornings with a stiff neck and it’s causing a major disruption to your day, it might be time to contact your doctor to see if there’s any further steps you can take to protect yourself and your neck. Thankfully, the team of professionals at Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA have some of the best chiropractic care around to help you care for your neck and help you heal.
