Acute wry neck is a sudden, painful stiffness in the neck, often noticed on waking, where the head is held tilted or turned to one side. It is usually caused by muscle spasm and is not a sign of serious damage. Most cases settle on their own within a few days to around a week.
Also known as wry neck, acute torticollis, locked neck, cricked neck
Symptoms
- Sudden neck pain and stiffness, often on waking
- Head held tilted to one side with the chin turned the other way
- Sharp pain when trying to turn the head towards the stiff side
- Tender, tight muscles on one side of the neck
- Pain usually stays in the neck rather than travelling into the arm
Causes and risk factors
- Often no clear cause is found
- Sleeping in an awkward position without good neck support
- Sitting in one position for a long time, such as at a screen or on a journey
- Carrying heavy or uneven loads
- Rarely, infection, medicines or other conditions can cause a twisted neck, so it needs checking if it does not settle
What the evidence says helps
- Most cases improve on their own within a few days to about 10 days, so reassurance and time are an important part of care.12
- Gentle neck exercises, heat and simple painkillers to allow movement are recommended in NHS patient advice.13
- The NHS advises keeping the neck moving and avoiding a neck collar unless a doctor advises otherwise.3
- For acute neck pain more generally, a systematic review found spinal manipulative therapy reduced pain and improved movement in the short term, with no serious side effects reported. Research specific to wry neck is limited.4
- Guidelines for acute neck pain with restricted movement support advice to stay active, range-of-movement exercises and manual therapy to the neck and upper back.5
Things you can try at home
- Keep your neck moving gently within comfort, little and often
- Apply a heat pack or take a warm shower to ease muscle spasm
- Use simple painkillers if suitable, so you can keep moving
- Avoid driving until you can turn your head safely
- Check your pillow and sleeping position to reduce the chance of it happening again
When to get urgent help
Contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency if you have:
- Call 999 if a stiff neck comes with a high temperature, severe headache, a rash or dislike of bright light
- Call 999 if you have sudden weakness, facial drooping, slurred speech or trouble walking
- Get urgent medical help if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a sore throat with fever
- See a GP if you have numbness or weakness in your hands or feet, or pain spreading down your arm
- See a GP if there is no improvement after a few days, or if a twisted neck occurs in a child
How Apollo can help
We assess your neck to confirm the problem is musculoskeletal and to check for anything that needs medical attention. We explain what is happening, and where appropriate use gentle hands-on care alongside simple exercises to help you keep moving. We also give advice on sleep position, work set-up and returning to activities such as driving.
No GP referral needed. Clinics in Sheringham, Coltishall and Norwich.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How long does wry neck last?
Most cases ease within a few days and usually settle within about a week to 10 days. See a GP if it is getting worse or not improving after a few days.
Should I rest or move my neck with a wry neck?
Gentle movement is recommended. Keep turning your neck within comfort and use heat or painkillers to help, rather than keeping it still or wearing a collar.
Why did I wake up with a stiff neck?
Sleeping in an awkward position or without good neck support is a common trigger. Often no clear cause is found, and it is not usually a sign of anything serious.
References
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Emergency Department (2024). Acute torticollis (wry neck). Patient information leaflet. View source
- healthdirect Australia (2026). Torticollis. healthdirect. View source
- NHS (2023). Neck pain. NHS website. View source
- Diao Y, et al. (2025). Efficacy and safety of spinal manipulative therapy in the management of acute neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews. View source
- Blanpied P, et al. (2017). Neck Pain: Revision 2017. Clinical practice guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. View source
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or a registered healthcare professional. Content prepared from the sources above, November 2026.
