It happened again. I woke up this morning, after a normal night’s sleep, and it hurts like crazy if I try to look to to left or move my neck in that direction.
This happens at least once a month and it last for a few days before going back to normal. If happens in different places in my neck and shoulders, sometimes on the left and sometimes the right.
I’ve heard it called a crick in the next, or a pinched nerve, or a torn muscle. But I don’t know what it officially is.
So my questions are: What causes this? Can anything prevent it from happening? Once it occurs, can anything speed up the healing? What is this anyway?
I always called them neck cricks but that is non-specific term. I had a few when I was young and I know that they can be extremely painful. Unfortunately, doctors often don’t agree on what is causing them in the first place so they can be hard to treat. If you are getting them that often, you probably should consult a physician/chiropractor/physical therapist. You may be able to prevent them with a special pillow or a change in sleeping position.
I have them now and then, and sympathize with you. About the only thing that seems to help is to put a heating pad on my neck for 20 mnutes in the evening. I also got in the habit of doing neck stretches daily which also seems to prevent it.
I slowly turn my head to the left as far as possible, hold it for 20 seconds, do the same the other way. Work up to about ten reps. Then bend the head to the side as far as you can, same deal. I usually do these in the shower with hot water pouring on my neck,which makes it easier, but now always.
I’ve found a good way to get rid of the pain. Interlace your fingers and put your hands behind your head. Then extend your thumbs and use them to strongly massage the top of your neck, base of your skull, top of your spine, where your shoulders meet you neck, etc. Do it agressively for about 5 minutes.
It usually loosens my neck right up.
Medically it gets called torticollis (twisted neck). Some info for you. In addition to what’s listed there temporomandibular dysfunction (TMJ) should be thought about - clenching/grinding at night leading to muscle spasm of the neck upon rising.
In how good a condition is your pillow? I’ve found that sore neck and/or shoulders are often a good hint that it’s time to buy a new pillow, and the pain usually goes away not long after I do.
re what the last two posters said: have a dentist see if you are grinding or clenching in your sleep.
Also, you might need a different mattress or maybe a Makura (pillow stuffed with buckwheat hulls–feels like a bag of sand but might actually help).
Once years ago I woke up with a “crick” bad enough that I went to a doctor and was prescribed a muscle relaxant (Flexeril), which was VERY effective in relieiving the symptoms - IIRC the pills made me quite drowsy though.