Why Does My Neck Hurt in the Morning?

Neck pain is just one of the many conditions the physicians at Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management regularly treat. Waking with neck pain in the morning is often related to a concept called sleep hygiene, though it may be a symptom of injury or medical condition.

Regardless of the origin, you don’t want to start your day in pain. Let’s examine common reasons why your neck may hurt in the morning. 

Why does your neck hurt in the morning? 

When you go to bed with neck pain from injury or overuse, you might expect to notice discomfort in the morning. Neck pain that develops overnight is a different problem. 

You’re probably right if you suspect your neck pain originates with your sleep routine. Plenty of factors surrounding sleep can cause neck pain. 

However, your time in slumber may also be a contributor rather than a primary cause of pain. For instance, the changes to your musculoskeletal system brought on by osteoarthritis, a common condition that develops over time, may first emerge as a sore neck in the morning. 

Osteoarthritis is an incurable, degenerative condition, meaning your neck pain could become chronic without intervention. You may need to change your sleep routine or seek medical assistance to wake up refreshed and pain-free. 

Common causes of overnight neck pain

There’s a good chance your neck pain isn’t due to a single cause but a combination of factors, each of which may need attention before you can wake without a sore neck. Consider these common culprits: 

Your pillow(s)

Support for your head and neck is crucial for restful sleep. However, finding your “Goldilocks zone” may take trial and error. 

Too thick or too many pillows may thrust your head forward or sideways to the point where your neck has a pronounced tilt through the night rather than a profile in line with your normal spine position. 

The same is true for a pillow that’s too thin or changes shape overnight. Pillows filled with feathers or memory foam might allow you to find a balanced, supported position. 

Sleep position

Stomach sleepers may have the most trouble with morning neck pain due to the need for a twisted neck position throughout the night. Your chances of waking with neck and lower back pain increase with a stomach sleep position. 

If you read books or view content on smartphones and tablets in bed, the neck-forward position these activities encourage might add to your neck pain load. 

Chronic unbalanced posture

Your daytime life might contribute to overnight neck pain. Many jobs and hobbies require long hours in single positions, either sitting or standing. 

Without attention to balanced posture throughout the day, you might lay the foundation for problems overnight. Take breaks and add movement to minimize the impact of long periods of immobility. 

Since neck pain often involves the spine, plenty of complex factors might be in play. When your at-home adjustments fail to improve your morning pain, contact us at Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management for a consultation. 

Reach out to our nearest location, in West Des Moines or East Des Moines, Iowa, by phone or online today to plan your visit.