It is not uncommon for your neck to hurt in the morning. Neck pain can come on suddenly or develop over time due to problems with the spine. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments often become stiff after a period of inactivity, especially if they have been immobilized in an awkward position for an extended period of time. To further understand why your neck hurts after sleeping and the treatment options offered at MVM Health, continue reading.
How Can You Hurt Your Neck While You Sleep?
One study found that one in every 15 to 20 people who have chronic neck and shoulder pain is due to sleeping problems. Your sleeping position, choice of pillow or mattress, and even pregnancy can contribute to neck pain in the morning. Look into the following if you wake up with your neck hurting:
- Awkward Angle: The head or neck can be held at awkward angles for extended periods of time during sleep, which stretches and strains muscles, ligaments, and joints beyond their normal limits.
- Low-Quality Sleep: Difficulty falling asleep, waking up early, and restless sleep can all contribute to musculoskeletal pain that may present itself as neck pain.
- Pillow Does Not Provide Adequate Support: Pillows have a major impact on the position of the neck. A pillow that does not provide adequate support can be a common cause of neck pain, which can be exacerbated when lying down. If the pillow is too flat, too soft, too high, or too hard, your neck position can strain your neck muscles. The goal is to use a pillow that maintains the natural curve of the neck and keeps the spine straight.
- Sudden Movement: Sudden movements of the neck during sleep, perhaps due to rolling over or in response to a dream, can strain or sprain the neck.
- Pre-Existing Injury: Some injuries that occur while awake, such as whiplash, last for hours, followed by pain and stiffness during sleep.
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
Neck pain presents itself in feelings of numbness or tingling, clicking and grinding, dizziness and losing consciousness, and muscle spasms. Some neck pain cases can be resolved by changing the pillow, mattress, or sleeping position. Other times, over-the-counter medication, a massage, or a heating pad are needed to relieve the individual from the pain. If neck pain persists after addressing typical sleep-related causes and treatment, or if other symptoms develop, you should see a doctor.
How Can I Reduce My Neck Pain?
Treatment for neck pain depends on the specific condition and its severity. With years of experience, our team can recommend a treatment plan that suits your needs and lifestyle. At MVM Health, our experts specialize in identifying primary and secondary causes of neck pain. Depending on the cause and severity of your condition, our doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Neuromodulation Treatments: These treatments are a modern pain solution that interacts directly with your nervous system via wireless signals. This procedure involves placing a wired tiny receiver on the affected area of the back. The receiver emits controllable waves with an easy-to-use monitoring device. Examples of such treatments are wireless peripheral nerve stimulation and spinal cord stimulation.
- Interventional Pain Management: Most pain relief procedures involve injections of local anesthetics or radiofrequency transmitters for immediate and long-lasting pain relief, such as facet joint injection, Cervical Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB), and Radiofrequency Neurotomy of Cervical Facet Joints.
- Minimally Invasive Procedures: Nonsurgical procedures allow patients to be cared for and go home with minimal restrictions. Our physicians continue to lead the industry in advanced technologies that allow for using proven pain relief methods with little or no downtime. Some neck and back pain services include Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) and PRP for Whiplash Wounds.
- Ketamine Infusion Therapy: Ketamine infusion has been used with great success in the treatment of chronic pain and depression. During the treatment, a ketamine solution is given intravenously during 1-2 hour appointments. This treatment option is often a secondary treatment option when other traditional treatments prove unsuccessful.
MVM Health is ready to help you feel better if you are suffering from chronic pain in your neck, arms or legs, back, head or face, and pelvis. We understand that everyone experiences pain differently so we are ready to help you create an individualized plan that will improve your symptoms. If you are looking for a clinic near Lehigh Valley, East Stroudsburg, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, and surrounding communities that care about your well-being, call 570-445-2200 to make an appointment.
