What is neck muscle spasm?

A neck muscle spasm is basically a sudden tightening of your neck muscles that you didn’t expect. Imagine it like a charley horse, but in your neck. This tightening can make your neck feel stiff, sore, and hard to move.

There are many things that can cause these spasms:

Stress: Ever notice your neck getting tense when you’re stressed? Stress is a really common culprit.
Poor posture: Slouching at your desk or looking down at your phone for long periods can strain your neck muscles.
Overuse or injury: Activities like sleeping in a weird position or even a sudden twist of your neck can cause spasms.

While most neck muscle spasms are temporary and go away on their own with some rest, it’s important to see a doctor or physical therapist if:

The pain is severe or doesn’t improve after a few days.
You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or hands.
You have a fever or headache along with the neck pain.