Waking up with a sore neck is not a good way to start your day. It puts you in a bad mood and limits your daily movements. If you frequently wake up with neck pain, then it’s time to find out the cause and stop neck pain in its tracks. Here’s what you should know about the most common causes of morning neck pain.
1. You Have the Wrong Pillow
Choosing the right pillow is important for preventing neck pain. Afterall, you spend hours laying on pillows each night. You need a pillow that supports your neck and head. If you do not have support, then it creates tension in your neck muscles.
A memory foam pillow can help to alleviate your pain by giving your neck the support it needs. These pillows are made with a strategic ergonomic design. Neck pillows mold to your neck area while providing comfort and support. These features allow for your head to be cradled while laying down or sleeping upright. It also puts your neck and spine in a neutral position.
2. You Sleep on Your Stomach
Most people want to get in bed and go to sleep after a long day. If you are sleeping on your stomach, then you are not helping your neck pain. Your neck is twisted to the side for hours, which can cause neck strain. It also puts pressure on your nerves. When you wake up in the morning, it will feel stiff and sore from laying on your stomach all night.
You must change your sleep position. If you experience frequent neck pain, know that it is better to sleep on your side or back. Changing to one of these positions means you are more likely to wake up pain-free.
3. You Don’t Exercise
Some people do not enjoy working out for different reasons. They have to exercise for good health, but prefer to use the time for something else. It may surprise you to learn that exercise can improve your quality of sleep and make it less likely for you to experience aches and pains while sleeping. Exercise helps to strengthen your muscles, which helps to improve posture and stability while sleeping. Try implementing neck stretches in your daily routine and complete strength training exercises to promote overall wellness.
You may also experience soreness from improper exercise technique. When you do not perform the exercise in the proper manner, it can cause muscle strain or injury. This can result in neck pain. If you are using improper techniques, then you may want to work with a personal trainer. It also helps to stretch before and after exercising and to not overexert.
4. You Have a Previous Injury
Some people experience neck pain from a previous injury. Examples of this type of injury are sports injuries and whiplash. They usually do not hurt when it first occurs. Whiplash is a condition that gets worse by the next day. This condition can continue to get worse as the days go by. It can take up to 12 hours before feeling symptoms of whiplash after an accident.
If you believe you have whiplash or pain from another injury, you should seek medical. Doctors may prescribe pain pills and physiotherapy depending on your symptoms.
5. You Toss and Turn in Your Sleep
Some people are wild sleepers. They are constantly tossing and turning. It can progress to making sudden movements. For example, you may fling your arms or sit up quickly while dreaming. These sudden movements create stress and tension in your neck.
It helps to find out the reason for tossing and turning. Some people experience sudden movements because of sleep disorders. You should schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you can find out the cause for the sudden movements, then you may be able to alleviate neck pain.
6. You Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep
There is a connection between lack of sleep and neck pain. If you struggle to sleep, then you are going to have problems with pain in your neck or back. Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress and tension in the body, which can cause a stiff neck. Whether you are not giving yourself enough time for sleep or you experience insomnia, a lack of sleep can have negative consequences on your body.
It’s important to prioritize sleep in your life and seek treatment if you experience frequent insomnia. Insomnia is usually a symptom of another condition. Scheduling an appointment for a physical examination can help you better understand your sleep troubles.
7. You Have Poor Posture
People are sitting more because of technology. It leads to adapting your posture to your devices. However, you are supposed to allow you devices to adapt to your posture. When you sit for long hours with poor posture, you are pulling on your body. Eventually, your neck muscles are going to become tight and sore. You will have to stop sitting this way because it is going to hurt. To alleviate the pain, you must improve your posture and get a chair that supports your back.
If you want to stop neck pain, then make some of the changes mentioned in this article. It helps to make your sleeping environment as comfortable as possible. Neck pain is a common condition that usually goes away on its own. If the pain persists, then you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
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