Wry neck, crick in the neck or acute torticollis are medical terms used to describe a sudden painful and stiff neck. Usually pain and stiffness are present upon waking, although it is also possible that the neck may become stuck following a sudden movement. Awkward sleeping conditions such as long haul flights or long bus journeys can also cause wry neck due to poor neck posture when sleeping. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness, usually with no recollection of injury.
