Stiffness – neck muscles are tight, and it can be hard to move the neck.Muscle ache – the muscles in and around the affected area may be sore and have knots that are tender to touch.Here are some other common neck spasm symptoms:

In many cases, the neck feels stiff and knotted along with the contraction. While everyone has a different experience, depending on the cause of the neck spasm, there are some typical neck spasm symptoms.Ī spasm itself is a sudden, powerful, involuntary contraction of the muscle. The pain and other sensations that you might feel with a neck spasm can be startling and debilitating. It’s worth noting that if you’ve experienced neck spasms in the past and then expose the neck to cold and damp weather, there is a chance that the neck spasm will return. Temporomandibular joint disorders – commonly referred to as TMJ or TMD, this impacts the jaw and muscles surrounding it.Meningitis – a very serious infection that causes swelling in the brain as well as the spinal cord.Birth problems – some children are born with torticollis (stiff neck), which means their necks are in an odd position when they were in the womb.Cervical spinal canal stenosis – degenerative changes in the vertebrae that narrow the canal where the spinal cord lies.Herniated disc – when the outside layer of one of the cervical discs tears and the soft gel center bulges outward.Degenerative disc disease – the soft gel center of discs in the spine dry out, causing discs to narrow.Computer work – long hours of working at a computer can cause neck pain, including stiffness and spasms.Whiplash – when a person’s head is suddenly thrown backward and then the body stops moving and the head thrusts forward.Cervical spondylosis – this is degeneration in the spinal cord.Dehydration – not getting enough liquids can lead to spasms in the neck.Poor posture – tilting the head or slouching.

Headache – sometimes headache includes neck pain.

Overuse – over using neck muscles that are already stiff or injured can lead to spasms.

Exercise – strain during physical activity.

Emotional stress – research shows stress can impact the neck and shoulders.

Cradling the phone or sleeping in an odd position can cause neck spasms.

Unnatural positioning – placing the neck in an odd position for an extended period.

Heavy objects – carrying something heavy with one or both arms.

Shoulder weight – placing a lot of weight on the shoulder with a heavy bag.

Poor posture – slouching or tilting the head.

What causes neck spasms? There are several triggers, including those listed here. Aggravating a neck spasm can prolong recovery and leave you in discomfort. You may need to modify certain movements and activities if they cause you further pain. Pain brought on by neck spasms may last for a few days to several weeks, depending on spasm severity.

Thumb draws up in a spasm