What causes a crick in your neck after sleeping

We've all experienced it at some point — a sudden, sharp pain in the neck that makes simple movements seem like a daunting task.

Whether it’s from sleeping on a new pillow, painting a ceiling, or bending over a laptop for hours on end, a crick in the neck can disrupt your daily activities and leave you searching for relief.

“A crick in the neck usually happens when you strain your neck muscles and muscles that support it, like those in the shoulders and upper back,” says Cody Anderson, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health.

Crick in neck from sleeping

This often happens from things like sleeping in an awkward position or doing a sudden movement that stresses your neck muscles. Less commonly, a crick in the neck can also signal an irritated joint.

A crick in the neck, while uncomfortable, is usually temporary and can be addressed with at-home treatments.

Here, learn more about what causes a crick in the neck and how to get relief, including effective neck stretches and strengthening exercises from our physical therapists.