13 Causes of a Neck Muscle Spasm

If you have been experiencing sudden, sharp pains in your neck that feel like they’re coming from deep within your neck muscles, you might be having neck spasms. These neck spasms can be accompanied by pain, sore muscles, a stiff neck with muscle tightness, and difficulty moving the neck and shoulders. Other accompanying symptoms can include a pins and needles sensation, dizziness, and headache. Please continue reading to find out what causes these symptoms and the best ways to relieve neck spasms.

What is a cervical neck spasm?

A cervical neck spasm is an involuntary contraction (tightening) of the neck muscles. These muscle cramps in the neck are typically accompanied by symptoms such as neck pain and stiffness of the neck muscles. The symptoms can last for several minutes at a time and may continue for weeks. Sometimes, the neck pain continues after the neck spasm stops. Most of the time, neck spasms happen due to a minor, easily treatable cause, such as a sprain or strain. However, neck spasms can also be a symptom of more serious conditions.

What triggers a muscle spasm?

A neck spasm can occur for various reasons, some of the most common ones being:

Lifestyle factors

Spending long hours looking at screens (computers, tablets, mobile phones, TVs), cradling a cell phone on your neck, and craning your neck to look at a computer monitor can lead to neck strain, causing chronic neck pain, spasms, and stiffness.

Other causes of neck muscle spasms include poor posture while sitting or sleeping, clenching or grinding your teeth during sleep, carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder, carrying a heavy object with one arm, or performing strenuous exercises involving the neck muscles.

Additionally, muscle tension due to stress, poor neck support from pillows, and dehydration can also lead to recurring neck spasms.

Medical conditions

Neck spasms can be a symptom of a medical condition such as:

Cervical spondylosis or arthritis in the neck.
Osteoarthritis: a type of arthritis due to wear and tear of the bones and cartilage in the spine
Spasmodic torticollis (cervical dystonia): a condition in which neck spasms cause involuntary movement of the neck in various directions
Herniated disc due to injury to the bones of the cervical spine, causing shifts or tears in the supporting tissues
Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the spaces in the spinal canal leading to nerve compression
Cervical bone spurs (outgrowths of bone)
Ankylosing spondylitis: a type of inflammatory arthritis of the spine
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders of the muscles and ligaments of the jaw, causing neck and shoulder pain
Myofascial pain syndrome: a condition in which sensitive areas called painful trigger points develop in the muscles due to overuse or injury, resulting in muscle tightness, pain, and spasms
Meningitis: a serious infection and inflammation of the membranes that form a protective covering around the brain and spinal cord.
A neck injury, such as a whiplash, that causes structural damage to the bones, muscles, and ligaments of the neck
Idiopathic: when the cause of neck spasms cannot be identified

When should I worry about neck spasms?

Most neck spasms are nothing to worry about. However, you should see your healthcare provider if your neck spasms do not go away in a week or two. Also, make an appointment to see your provider if you have neck spasms accompanied by intense pain, pain that shoots down your shoulder and arm, numbness, or loss of strength in your arm or hand.

How do I get rid of muscle spasms in my neck?

Most neck spasms are due to strains and sprains and can be managed with the following home remedies:

Gentle stretches to loosen the muscles in your neck that are causing spasms
A classic massage at home with gentle circular movements to relieve muscle tightness or a deeper connective tissue massage from a professional massage therapist
Light activity such as housework, yoga, and low-intensity exercises like walking, if the pressure pain threshold allows, to keep your muscles loose and relaxed
Relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, and calming music to manage emotional stress
Proper posture while sleeping (avoid sleeping on your tummy with your head to one side, instead, sleep on your back or side with your neck supported by a pillow or cushion)
Over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) to relieve pain and inflammation. These drugs will suppress pain signals but not treat the underlying cause of your neck spasms.
Cold therapy with an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time several times a day to relieve neck pain from spasms.
Heat therapy with a heating pad set on low or a warm towel or water bottle on your neck for 20 minutes at a time every few hours.
A warm shower to relax the tight muscles in your neck and provide pain relief.

If these home remedies don’t work and your neck spasms continue for more than a week or two, contact your healthcare provider. Your provider may recommend physical therapy or chiropractic adjustments to relax your muscles and reduce neck pain. They may also prescribe muscle relaxants or offer steroid injections if over-the-counter pain medications are not effective.

How to prevent neck spasms?

It’s not always possible to prevent neck spasms, but you can lower your risk of developing them with the following tips:

Stay well hydrated.
Regularly stretch your neck to keep your muscles loose.
Make sure you warm up and cool down during exercise sessions.
Engage in strength training to build muscle strength.
Take regular breaks while working on screens.
Sit with a good posture.
Ensure your desk and computer are ergonomic, with the monitor at eye level to avoid straining your neck.
Hold your cell phone to your ear with your hand or use a speakerphone rather than cradling it with your neck.
Sleep on your back or side with your head and body aligned and your neck supported with a pillow.
Wear a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw.
Avoid carrying heavy objects with one arm or one shoulder.