Why Do I Wake Up With a Stiff Neck?

You went to bed feeling fine. Then you wake up, turn your head and—ouch.

Suddenly you’re doing that awkward whole-body turn because your neck has apparently decided it’s not moving today.

Sound familiar?

Waking up with a stiff, tight neck is incredibly frustrating, and while you may blame your pillow, your sleeping position isn’t always the only thing contributing to the problem.

It Could Be How You’re Sleeping

Sleeping with your neck in an awkward position for hours can leave the muscles feeling tight and uncomfortable in the morning.

Your pillow matters, too. A pillow that’s too high, too low or doesn’t provide enough support can leave your neck out of alignment with the rest of your spine.

Stomach sleepers may be especially familiar with morning neck stiffness since the head typically stays turned to one side for long periods.

Your Phone and Computer May Be Part of the Problem

Sometimes the problem starts long before you get into bed.

Think about how much time you spend looking down at your phone or leaning toward a computer screen during the day.

That forward-head position can put extra demand on the muscles of your neck, shoulders and upper back. By bedtime, those muscles may already be tired and tense.

Eight hours in bed doesn’t necessarily undo eight hours hunched over a screen.

Stress Loves Your Neck and Shoulders

When you’re stressed, pay attention to what your body does.

Are your shoulders creeping toward your ears?

Are you tightening your jaw?

Are you clenching your teeth?

Many of us carry stress in our jaw, neck and shoulders without even realizing we’re doing it. The muscles across the tops of your shoulders—especially your trapezius muscles, or “traps”—can become particularly tight.

Then you go to sleep carrying all of that tension with you.

Your Jaw Could Even Be Involved

If you clench or grind your teeth at night, you may wake up with more than just a sore jaw.

The muscles of the jaw, head and neck work together, so nighttime clenching can sometimes accompany tension and discomfort throughout the surrounding areas.

If you’re regularly waking with jaw pain, headaches or signs of grinding, it’s also worth mentioning it to your dentist or healthcare provider.

Can Massage Help a Stiff Neck?

When your stiffness is related to muscular tension, massage can help relax tight muscles throughout the neck, shoulders and upper back.

And that’s important because the place where you feel the tension isn’t necessarily the only area that needs attention.

Your massage therapist can work with the muscles surrounding the neck, shoulders and upper back and customize the session based on what you’re experiencing that day.

Tired of Waking Up Feeling Tight?

If your first thought every morning is, “Why is my neck so tight?” your body may be asking for a little attention.

Book an Oasis Massage or Neck & Shoulder Massage at Urban Oasis Nashville and let your therapist know where you’ve been feeling the most tension.

Because waking up shouldn’t feel like you slept wrong…again.