A crick in your neck may sound like a diagnosis from your great aunt, and it is a vague term that’s been used to describe general neck pain for years. Waking up with a crick in your neck can put a damper on your entire day. That sudden stiffness, discomfort, or even sharp pain can make simple movements, like turning your head side to side, feel impossible.
But what exactly is a crick in the neck, and should you be concerned about it? While the term “crick” isn’t a medical diagnosis, it’s a commonly used phrase to describe a variety of neck issues that range from minor stiffness to more persistent pain. Plus, understanding what causes a crick in the neck can help you find relief and prevent it from happening again.
What Is a Crick in the Neck?
A crick in the neck is a general term used to describe discomfort, stiffness, or pain in the neck area. It’s not a specific medical condition but rather a common way to refer to neck pain and stiffness that can result from various factors, such as muscle strain, neck injuries, poor posture, or sleeping in an awkward position.
The technical term for neck pain is cervicalgia, which might sound intimidating but typically refers to mild to moderate neck discomfort that isn’t caused by a serious underlying condition. Symptoms of a crick in the neck can include:
- Stiffness or a sensation of the neck being “stuck”
- Limited range of motion
- Neck muscle tightness or spasms
- Dull or sharp pain in the neck or upper back
- Headaches
Most cases of a crick in the neck resolve on their own within a few days. However, persistent or severe pain could be a sign of an underlying issue, which makes it important to understand what’s causing your discomfort and how to find lasting relief.
5 Possible Causes of a Crick in the Neck
Waking up with a stiff, painful neck can be frustrating, especially when it seems to happen out of nowhere. That uncomfortable feeling, often referred to as a “crick” in the neck, can make turning your head difficult and even impact your daily activities. You might be wondering how to get a crick out of your neck, and the first thing you need to determine is the root cause. Here are five possible reasons why you may be experiencing a crick in the neck.
1. Muscle Strain or Spasms
One of the most common culprits behind a crick in the neck is muscle strain or spasms. This can happen from overuse, poor posture, or even sleeping funny. Your head weighs about 10-12 pounds, which is roughly the same weight as a bowling ball! So, when your neck muscles have to support that weight improperly for extended periods, they can become fatigued and tighten up. Activities like looking down at your phone for too long or carrying heavy bags on one shoulder can also contribute to muscle strain, leading to that stiff, painful feeling.
2. Herniated Discs
While herniated discs are often associated with the lower back, they can occur in the cervical spine as well. A herniated disc in the neck happens when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc pushes through the tough outer layer, irritating nearby nerves. Because the spinal canal in the neck is narrow, even a small disc herniation can cause uncomfortable symptoms. While neck pain is one symptom, a herniated disc may also lead to pain that radiates into the shoulders or arms, as well as tingling or weakness.
3. Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spaces within the spine narrow, putting pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. This is often caused by age-related changes like osteoarthritis, which leads to bone spurs forming in the spinal canal. Though spinal stenosis in the neck, also known as cervical stenosis, may not always cause pain, in some cases, it can lead to stiffness, weakness, and nerve-related symptoms. If your neck pain is accompanied by numbness in your arms or hands, spinal stenosis could be the reason.
4. Sleeping Position and Pillow Choice
Your sleeping posture plays a major role in how your neck feels when you wake up. If you sleep with your neck at an awkward angle, especially with a pillow that is too high, too low, or lacks proper support, it can put a strain on the muscles and joints in your neck. Sleeping on your stomach with your head turned to one side for hours at a time can be particularly problematic because it can put too much tension on the cervical spine. Switching to a supportive pillow that keeps your neck aligned with your spine can help prevent waking up with a crick in your neck.
5. Arthritis or Joint Degeneration
As we age, the cartilage in our joints naturally wears down, leading to conditions like osteoarthritis in the neck. This degeneration can cause inflammation, stiffness, and pain, particularly in the mornings or after long periods of inactivity. In some cases, arthritis-related bone spurs can press on nerves, contributing to additional discomfort. While arthritis is more common in older adults, repetitive strain and poor posture over the years can contribute to early joint wear and tear, increasing the likelihood of neck pain.
Ways You Can Manage Neck Pain
In most cases, you can count on a crick in your neck to go away on its own. But, if you’ve ever experienced neck pain before, you know that waiting 2-4 weeks for it to go away can be excruciating and can cause serious disruption to your daily quality of life. There are many home remedies you can try to reduce your pain, as well as over-the-counter or doctor-assisted options. So if you find yourself searching “how to get crick out of neck,” here’s where we’d start when trying to reduce neck pain.
Relax
It might be the last thing you want to hear or do when it comes to addressing your pain, but it’s the first thing you should try. Start by taking at least three days off from anything strenuous. That means no exercise or vigorous playing with your kids. Spend time with your neck adequately supported while sitting or lying down, but don’t spend too much time in bed. It’s good to keep your body and neck moving but moving at a slower, more relaxed pace to give it time to heal from any muscle spasms.
Cold Therapy
If your neck is inflamed from a muscle spasm or for any other reason, cold therapy can be a way to reduce pain and inflammation. You can try wrapping ice in a cold towel or applying an ice pack to your neck for 15 to 30 minutes at a time. You can do this several times a day, but keep in mind that if you are managing any circulatory issues or have diabetes, you should limit the amount of time you ice your neck to no more than 10 minutes.
Heat Therapy
Alternatively, you can treat your neck pain with heat. Heat acts to decrease pain and tension in your neck muscles and can be done in conjunction with cold therapy. You can apply heat by taking a warm shower or using a heating pad. Like cold therapy, you should apply heat for approximately 20 minutes at a time.
Medication
If your pain is really bothering you without any relief from posture or lifestyle changes, try an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen or Tylenol can work to lessen your pain and reduce inflammation but may not take care of the root cause of your pain.
Stretching
Setting aside time to stretch each day is a good habit to have regardless, but especially if you’re experiencing neck pain. Before stretching, try applying either a hot or cold compress.
Neck Stretches
This is one of the best stretches to reduce neck pain. Do this sequence 3 to 5 times through.
Stand straight, with your feet hip-width apart. Look forward, and bring your chin slowly down to your chest. Stay here for 5 to 10 seconds.
Slowly lift your head back up to where you started.
Next, from the same starting position, tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling. Stay here for 5 to 10 seconds before slowly returning your head back to the same starting place.
Bring your right ear to your right shoulder, but don’t actually touch your ear to your shoulder. Do this until you feel a slight stretch in the left side of your neck. Hold the position for 5 to 10 seconds before slowly lifting your head back up. Repeat on the left side.
Head Turns
Do this sequence 3 to 5 times through.
Stand straight, with your feet hip-width apart. Look forward and turn your head to the right side, but don’t go past your shoulder. Hold here for 5 to 10 seconds before slowly turning your head to the left side. Hold there for 5 to 10 seconds before returning your head to look forward.
Next, take a seat and put your right hand under your right leg. Take your left arm and drape it over your head until you can touch your right ear with your left hand. From this position, lean your left ear toward your left shoulder – but don’t actually touch your left shoulder- and gently pull with your left hand. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds, and repeat on the other side.
Keep Moving
It might seem contradictory, but resting and moving should be done in tandem to relieve neck pain. Staying in one position too long is not a good way to address neck pain and can actually make it worse. Every 30 minutes or so, you should change positions and make sure you’re doing a good mix of sitting and standing throughout the day. After your few days of rest and no activity, try adding in walking or some gentle yoga to keep your body moving.
Practice Good Posture
As we mentioned previously, your head weighs the same as a bowling ball, so practicing good posture is a must for long-term health and for short-term pain management. Slouching, whether while at a computer or while standing up, can create neck pain. Take a look in a mirror to gauge whether or not your shoulders are slumped or if your head is extending far beyond your shoulders. Good posture also varies by sitting, standing, or lying down.
Sitting
Avoid crossing your legs, and try to keep your feet flat on the floor. Leave some distance between the backs of your knees and your seat. Make sure the back of your seat supports your lower back. Keep your knees below your hips, and relax your shoulders.
Standing
Keep your feet flat, and concentrate your weight on the balls of your feet. Keep your head neutral while you let your arms fall to your sides. Your core should be tucked in and utilized while your shoulders are slightly back.
Lying Down
A good mattress can go a long way for keeping neck and back pain at a minimum. A firm mattress is best for neck pain, as is a good pillow. Stomach sleeping can encourage bad posture and neck pain, so try to sleep on your back or on your side. If you’re a side sleeper, tuck a pillow between your knees to keep your body in better alignment.
Massage It Out
When you’ve got sore or aching muscles, sometimes you need the help of a professional masseuse to help you massage out the pain. This can also help stimulate blood flow and bodily fluids, which should accelerate your healing. While massages can feel good and aid in pain relief, they may not eliminate it altogether.
Use the Proper Pillows
Just like a good mattress and good sleep posture can help with neck pain, a pillow specifically designed to support your neck properly during sleep can have long-term positive effects far beyond helping you recover from the pain of a crick in your neck. The positive effects of switching to a neck pillow from the likes of Tempur-Pedic can be literally overnight. Make sure you pay attention to the size, shape, and type of pillow you’re purchasing, as your height, weight, body type, and sleep position play into what pillow is best for you.
Acupuncture
A popular alternative treatment for pain relief, acupuncture, is when tiny needles are inserted into particular pressure points of your body. Like most alternative practices, studies have varied as to acupuncture’s effectiveness; however, many people swear by it, saying that several sessions have helped to eliminate pain. A few things you’ll want to double-check before you go to an acupuncturist for a crick in your neck: Make sure your practitioner is licensed and that they use sterile needles for every patient. Also, check with your insurance to see if these sessions might be covered.
See a Chiropractor
At AICA Conyers, we may be partial to this plan of action. We know that chiropractors can aid in long-term cervical and spinal health, which helps you stay pain-free. Not just for after an accident or injury, chiropractic care is tailored to your needs and targets misalignments within the cervical and spinal columns. At AICA Conyers, we have a comprehensive care team to assess your neck pain and, if needed, diagnose and prescribe a treatment plan. When it comes to how to get rid of a crick in your neck with chiropractic care, check with your insurance company, as some insurance companies cover up to a certain number of chiropractor visits.
When to See a Doctor
In most cases, a crick in the neck is temporary and resolves on its own with rest, stretching, and over-the-counter pain relief. However, if you are not experiencing relief from home remedies, from stretching to resting to hot and cold therapy, and your pain has persisted beyond 3 or 4 weeks, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Keep in mind that while most cases of neck pain clear up within a matter of weeks, there are more serious issues that would need to be addressed by your doctor. Additionally, if you’ve had any numbness, shooting pains in your arms, or loss of strength in your hands or arms, you should call your doctor immediately, and if the symptoms don’t subside within a few hours, call 911.
Crick in the Neck Treatment at AICA
A crick in your neck can sound like something someone has made up. However, the pain of a crick in your neck is real, common, and mostly non-serious. Symptoms of a crick in your neck are typically marked by a stiff neck or feeling stuck. You might also experience headaches, neck pain, a limited ability to move or turn your head, and muscle spasms. No more searching “How do you get rid of neck crick?” when you can call AICA instead. There are many ways you can address neck pain, or cervicalgia, at home or with alternative treatments like acupuncture or chiropractic care. In some cases, a doctor may need to see you if the pain does not decrease after 2-4 weeks.
AICA Conyers offers comprehensive care to address aches and pains in your neck and back. As your go-to office for chiropractic care and physical therapy, we can help you address your neck pain, provide treatment in the office, and offer referrals for any additional treatment we think necessary.