Neck sprains are very common and may cause a temporary abnormal posture with associated pain. Massage and stretching will help for these and they typically resolve in a few days or weeks. Cervical dystonia is usually lifelong, even though it does not begin until middle age (commonly). Cervical dystonia comes from the brain sending abnormal signals to the muscles, resulting in an incorrect set point. Neck sprains, sometimes called cervical sprain or muscle sprain, come from the muscles.