(949) 600-8100

Pay Bill
Parent’s Guide

Parent’s Guide: Neck Pain & Stiffness

Neck pain in children is usually caused by muscle strain from sleeping wrong or looking down at screens ("Text Neck"). However, because the neck protects the spinal cord, injuries and certain infections must be ruled out first.

1

🚩The “Red Flag” Check: Meningitis

Before treating for muscle pain, you must rule out Meningitis (a serious bacterial infection of the brain/spine).

The “Chin-to-Chest” Test:

  1. Ask your child to touch their chin to their chest.
  2. Danger Sign: If they cannot do this because the neck is too stiff, AND they have a fever, this is a medical emergency.
  3. Other Signs: Headache, confusion, irritability, or lethargy.

Action: If these signs are present, call your doctor immediately or go to the ER.

2

Common Causes (Why does it “hurt”?)

If there was no major accident (like a car crash or sports injury), the cause is likely one of these:

  • Muscle Strain (“Text Neck”): The head is heavy. Looking down at phones or tablets for hours strains the back of the neck.
  • Sleeping Position: Sleeping in an awkward position or on the stomach can lock up neck muscles.
  • Swollen Lymph Nodes: A viral infection (like a cold) can swell the nodes in the neck, which irritates the nearby muscles.
3

🚨 When to Get Help

Call 911 Now

  • The pain started after a major injury (car crash, high fall, contact sports).
  • The child is not moving or is too weak to stand.

Call Doctor Now or Go to ER

  • The pain is severe.
  • The pain started after a minor injury (like a mild fall).
  • Your child looks very sick to you.

Contact in 24hrs

  • Fever: Fever lasts more than 24 hours.
  • Movement: They cannot move their neck normally (but have no fever).
  • Age: Child is under 5 years old.
  • Numbness: Pain shoots down into the arms or legs.
4

🏠Home Care for Muscle Strain

If the pain is from overuse or sleeping wrong, you can treat it at home.

The First 48 Hours: Cold Therapy

  • Ice: Use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
  • Timing: Apply to the sore muscle for 10–20 minutes. Repeat 4 times a day.
  • Why: This reduces inflammation and spasms.

After 48 Hours: Heat Therapy

  • Heat: Use a heating pad, warm washcloth, or warm shower.
  • Timing: Apply for 5-10 minutes as needed.
  • Why: This increases blood flow to help healing.

Medication & Sleep

  • Pain Meds: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) can help with stiffness.
  • Sleep Position: Encourage sleeping on the back or side.
    • Avoid sleeping on the stomach, as this twists the neck.

Gentle Stretching (After 2 Days)

Once the worst pain is gone, have your child do gentle stretches for a few minutes a day:

  1. Move chin to each shoulder.
  2. Gently touch ear to each shoulder.
  3. Move head up and down.

Note: Do not force these movements.

Medically Reviewed by Dr Michael Villadelgado
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you use it. If you are unsure, always call your doctor.