Do you often experience neck pain in the mornings? If so, you’re not alone. Many people suffer from neck pain when they first wake up.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why does my neck hurt when I wake up?” we have some answers for you. In this blog post, we will explore some of the causes of morning neck pain and offer some tips for how to reduce it.
Poor Sleep Posture
One of the most common causes of morning neck pain is poor posture. When you sleep, your body relaxes and slips into a slumped position. This can cause tension in the muscles and ligaments in your neck, which leads to pain when you wake up.
You can minimize the negative effects of your sleep posture by adjusting how you lie down. Try sleeping on your back, as this will reduce stress on your neck and ease the pain that comes in the morning. You should also consider using a pillow that supports both sides of your head (which is usually called an orthopedic pillow). This type of pillow helps to keep pressure off sensitive areas like joints.
Sleeping On a Bad Mattress
Another cause for morning neck pain could be sleeping on a bad mattress. If you spend hours each night lying down with little support, there’s no surprise why it might hurt when you wake up! That’s because most mattresses don’t provide enough cushioning or firmness needed to maintain proper posture.
If you’re suffering from morning neck pain, it’s a good idea to invest in an ergonomic mattress that supports your spine and promotes proper alignment during sleep. This will help reduce the pain by keeping pressure off sensitive areas like joints or muscles while also providing enough cushioning so you don’t wake up feeling stiff. The best mattresses for neck support are memory foam because they conform perfectly around each part of your body without causing any extra stress on one area over another (like latex models do).
Not Hydrating the Day Before
Another common cause of morning neck pain is dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, your body becomes less flexible, which can lead to stiffness and pain in the neck.
To avoid morning neck pain, make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. You should also aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. If you find that drinking all that water is difficult, try adding slices of lemon or cucumber to your glass for a little flavor and added nutrients!
Stress
If you’re constantly under stress, it’s no surprise that this might be manifesting as neck pain in the mornings. When we’re stressed, our muscles tense up and can stay in this state for long periods of time. This can lead to chronic tension headaches and neck pain.
There are many ways to reduce stress levels, including exercise, yoga, and meditation. If you’re not sure where to start, consult with a therapist or counselor who can help you develop a plan that’s right for you.
So, now you have several answers to, “Why do I wake up with neck pain?” But if nothing seems to resolve it, reach out to us for treatment for neck pain in Omaha.
Read about signs you need to see a pain management doctor.
