A neck strain occurs when one or more fibers in a neck muscle or tendon stretches too far and tears. This is also called a pulled muscle, can vary in intensity depending on the tear’s size and location.

The cardinal symptom of neck strain is pain and often combined with decreased range of motion. A neck strain may be painful as soon as the injury occurs, or it may take many hours for the inflammation to increase and symptoms to appear. Sometimes the symptoms start so gradually that it is difficult to trace how or when the injury occurred. Typically, neck strain pain and stiffness continue to worsen during the first day or two after the injury.

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