A stiff neck is a common symptom of many issues and health conditions. It is typically characterized by soreness and difficulty moving the neck, especially when trying to turn the head to the side. It may also be accompanied by a headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, and muscle tightness and spasms. The most common causes of a stiff neck include:

• Muscle and ligament issues: Muscle or ligament conditions that cause neck stiffness can include neck sprains, sleeping in an unusual or uncomfortable position, looking at screens for too long (especially tilting your head down to look at a phone, computer or tablet), and tension caused by stress.

• Injuries or traumas: Traumas that affect your neck can cause stiffness, including car accidents, sports injuries, and whiplash.

• Arthritis: Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in your joints, including in your neck. Types of arthritis that can cause neck stiffness include cervical spondylosis or osteoarthritis.

• Underlying spinal conditions: Sometimes neck stiffness is a reaction to an underlying disorder of the cervical spine, which helps support and move the neck in addition to protecting the spinal cord. Several examples of cervical spine disorders that can cause neck muscles to painfully spasm or tighten include cervical herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.

While a stiff neck is usually a temporary issue that can be treated at home or that gets better on its own, it can also be a symptom of serious health conditions that need to be treated by a healthcare provider immediately. Seek immediate care if severe neck pain results from an injury, such as a motor vehicle accident, diving accident, or fall. Contact a health care provider if neck pain is accompanied by fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, fatigue or unexplained drowsiness, change in mental state, or other red flag symptoms.