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Neck strain happens when fibers in the muscles or tendons are stretched too far and tear.
While you gradually heal over several days or weeks, you may feel varying degrees of pain throughout the process.
Neck injuries can occur suddenly – often the case for athletes – or gradually, in response to poor posture. 
If you’re experiencing pain in this area, here’s what you should know. 

What Is Neck Strain?
The neck area is comprised of seven bones in the spinal column.
Ligaments and muscle tissue connect and support this region.
Also known as whiplash, neck strain can affect any of the muscles and ligaments in the neck.
The two bearing the brunt of these issues are:

• The levator scapulae,
  which runs down the side of the neck to the shoulder blade and is essential every time you bend or turn your neck. A key symptom of neck strain is restricted movement, often accompanied by pain
• The trapezius,
  this muscle extends from the base of the skull partially down your back and over part of your shoulders.
  The trapezius plays a role in any up-and-down movement

How do you know you’re experiencing neck strain?
This injury manifests differently based on the size and location of the tear.
You may feel a dull ache or the inflammation may accelerate after several hours, resulting in sharp pain every time you move your head.
Although neck strain often heals on its own, you may experience constant, if not debilitating, sharp pain during the next few days.

Due to this pattern, identifying the cause of neck strain is not always straightforward.
The pain may stem from a sudden incident, like a car accident, hard fall or an athletic injury, or it could be the result of angling your neck in a particular position.
In all cases, the neck muscles and ligaments are bent or stretched beyond their normal position, resulting in a tear and degree of swelling. Healing time can depend on the number of muscle fibers affected.