In addition, there are newer techniques such as nerve-blocks, nerve destruction, and implantable drug delivery systems to control the pain that is not adequately treated by oral pain killers. I have a sore neck after sleeping. Sleeping seems to aggravate it. Just as in the low back these symptoms can be due to disc-disease, arthritis of the small joints in the neck, or muscular spasm. Most likely, in younger patients these symptoms are due to muscular spasm.
Many patients complain of neck pain at night due to the positioning of the neck on the pillow.
It is important for your neck to remain in a neutral position while sleeping. That way it is not rotated or side-bent, to one side or the other. To maintain that neutral positioning may require the use of multiple pillows or a specialized pillow. If symptoms persist the patient may want to see their physicians for complete history and physical examination which may include x-rays of the neck. That's a good question.