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persistent neck spasm
19y female
hello !! first off - first post, so i apologize if this isn’t forum standard or anything !! im currently not in a situation where i can afford a doctors visit / transport there reliably, so i thought to whisk my worries off to the internet to avoid more constant appointments ^^
i’ve been dealing with recurring neck tightness / pain since around late september 2025 due to prolonged screen usage that i’m still trying my best to work on, but i’m still sat at my computer for over 12 hours a day sometimes, definitely at an awkward angle due to my monitor setup - been to the doctors numerous times for it on and off due to anxieties all with the same (fortunate) result of while it doesn't feel like a lump or anything bad is in my neck, the muscles are very tight and spasming. i even had a swallow study conducted which should’ve quelled my anxieties about it at all having nothing there as while the pain hasn’t been as bad recently, it still hurts horribly to the touch some days and feels like a mass of something is there in my neck which has sent me down a spiral of overthinking that the swallow study didn’t catch something it should’ve
test-wise, i had my thyroid tested just a couple months before the muscle spasms started, coming out as normal and my doctor said that means my thyroid is still fine. i also had an ekg done which also came out as normal - alongside, as mentioned, the swallow study.
the only other symptoms i’ve been dealing with as of late, possibly or possibly not related that i felt would be important to mention, have been a persistent vague sore throat (not sickness wise and not really bad- however, my throat tends to start hurting when i talk as i have been mute for a majority of my life, and i understand that a sore throat can swell up lymph nodes) for the last few days - and very persistent heart palpitations that last for a few minutes at a time throughout the day over the last 2 weeks, that have happened upon waking up every day without fail these last 2 weeks
my main question out of this one is has anyone else with neck tightness felt the same - as if the tightness & muscle spasming has been a constant, and / or if in turn it’s felt like a mass in your neck? and has anything worked for you such as physical therapy, exercises, etc?
and obviously anything else such as advice / etc related to other things brought up in this post are more than welcome !!
thanks so much in advance !! 🙂
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Hi 19y female ... welcome to the site.
I'm a lot older than you (74) but have suffered from a stiff neck and chronic neck spasms for years. Sometimes, the pressure in my neck muscles release and sends me to my knees or off balance (not dizziness) for a few seconds Not fun. I'm afraid it might happen when I'm driving, which wouldn't be good! I've had head scans, spinal scans etc. I do have a degenerative disc in my neck, described as natural aging. I've had to learn to live with this condition unfortunately! A physiotherapist has helped somewhat.
19 y female. You and Annie both might go to a chiropractor. Cervicogenic sore throat can be caused by trouble at C1 and C2. It might only take one visit. Sometimes the vertebra get stuck in just a slightly rotated position, usually after we stress the muscles. A massage might help as well it sounds as though you have a muscle knot or adhesion. I first saw a chiropractor when I was a 19y female. Best wishes
no doubt about it - its your posture. You will have to stop or it will be lifelong. And you will need surgery because the muscles will STAY in a permanent spasm. If your head turns alittle it can be dystonia a physical condition. Read up on it. You need to go to a kinseologist and/or a pain management doctor to get an official diagnosis. I had the two conditions. We didn't have cell phones/internet when i was your age. I had a drafting table. My father too. We both ended up with similar conditions. You NEED to be properly diagnosed.
1) is it muscular and can be corrected by strengthening your neck and limited time at ANY screen
2) is it physical due to genetics and the way your body has grown
3) is it a combination of the two.
Your head is like a big bowling ball and your neck/shoulder muscles aren't strong enough to keep it propped up at an improper angle. You are asking too much of your body. Good luck. Get diagnosed. Your body will thank you.
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1 Reaction@severance First, you are likely on the right track - many hours of screen time, poorly positioned, is likely the source of your pain. I was the ergonomic specialist for my staff for nearly 20 years, and your symptoms are classic - you need to develop good habits while you are young to avoid a lifetime of pain.
Please take a look at this post on proper positioning from Mayo:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169
If you work for a company, contact management or HR and ask for help getting set up correctly. If you are self-employed or work from home, follow the directions for setting up your space. Also, maintain correct posture while working, no slouching, leaning, keyboard or laptop on your stomach or lap. If you constantly move your head around to focus on the screen, get an eye exam to see if you need glasses for computer tasks.
Take breaks! At least once an hour for 5 minutes or more - no screens, hands-free phone only. Use the time to move around and stretch. If you need a reminder, set a timer on your desk or phone. At the bottom of the page above are a series of stretches for arms, neck and back. Walking around or standing in your workspace stretching while on calls or meetings is ideal.
If 2-3 weeks of the above do not help, please ask for a referral to a physical therapist who can work with you to develop a program that works for you.
Good luck, please letus know how it goes.
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2 Reactions@severance you might try acupuncture. I have neck spasms and acupuncture has helped me immensely. But good posture is do important, when you sit or walk, become aware of how your body and head is positioned. It may seem/feel odd at first because your body feels comfortable being in the incorrect position. Muscle memory is a real thing & you have to teach your body where it is Suppose to be. Dr Jo YouTubes has great effective neck exercises. They work! Good luck and blessings for improvement on your journey.