Why Did You Wake Up With a Stiff Neck?

There’s nothing worse than going to bed feeling good, just to wake up in the morning and realize that something is wrong. And in some cases, that “something” can be a stiff neck.

There are many reasons why you may wake up with a stiff neck, such as:

•    Sudden movement: For example, if you rolled over quickly or fell out of bed, it could result in a sprain or strain.
•    Awkward sleeping angle: You may fall asleep in a good position, but you could soon find yourself in an awkward spot by the middle of the night.
•    Preexisting injury: An injury suffered while you were awake could lead to a stiff neck during the nighttime hours. For instance, if you were in a car accident, whiplash may result in symptoms after several hours.

Along with the above, a stiff neck could be the cause of a more serious injury, such as cervical degenerative disc disease or facet joint osteoarthritis.

There are many ways to treat a stiff neck, such as rest, ice therapy, heat therapy, and physical therapy. However, if you’re not seeing the improvement you’re looking for in a reasonable period of time, it’s critical to receive a medical diagnosis. You don’t want to sweep a serious problem under the rug, as it could cause more health concerns down the road.

Virginia Spine Specialists is an award-winning, minimally invasive spinal care practice with locations in Fredericksburg, VA and Manassas, VA. We also serve these Northern and Central Virginia locations: Haymarket, Gainesville, Culpepper, Front Royal, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Colonial Beach, Tappahannock and Lake Anna.