Hi, Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns. Stiff neck is typically characterized by soreness and difficulty moving the neck. The most common cause of a stiff neck is a muscle sprain or muscle strain, which can be caused by Sleeping in a position that strains the neck muscles Any activity that involves repeatedly turning the head from side to side, such as swimming the front crawl stroke Poor posture, such as slouching while viewing the computer monitor Excessive stress, which can lead to tension in the neck Holding the neck in an abnormal position for a long period, such as cradling a phone between the neck and shoulder. These day to day activities are often overlooked as the underlying cause. A cervical herniated disc or cervical osteoarthritis can also lead to neck stiffness, as the structures and nerve pathways in the cervical spine are all interconnected and a problem in any one area can lead to muscle spasm and/or muscle stiffness.X-ray cervical spine AP & lateral view will help in diagnosis. Treatment will depend upon the cause but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxant topical and or oral relieves the symptoms. Regards Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. Mumbai