A stiff neck may be something serious and require immediate medical attention especially if you experience pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that spreads into the arms and hands, says Patel.

Stiff neck is common and has many causes some treatable at-home and some requiring medical treatment. Experts explain stiff neck causes and how to feel better.

Recovering from a stiff neck can take patience, McNeely says. A muscle tear, for example, can take four to six weeks to heal and you'll need to be gentle on your body during that time.

When that added up to much more than 4, it got me thinking. I woke up one morning in the middle of June with a stiff neck. It was painful to try to turn my head from side to side.

If your neck pain persists despite trying these tips, consulting a health care professional is crucial. Physical therapists, chiropractors or doctors can provide personalized treatment plans.

The treatment for stiff neck and sore throat depends on the underlying cause. Certain conditions, like tonsillitis and mononucleosis, or injuries may require more extensive therapy.

Paraneoplastic-related stiff-person syndrome is also more associated with anti-amphiphysin which is an antibody not commonly associated with classic SPS, according to Rarediseases.org.