The cause of stiff neck is muscle contraction. The latter happens when we have slept in a bad position or when we work in an uncomfortable position (especially in front of a computer screen).

Newborns sometimes suffer from stiff neck (in this case we speak of congenital torticollis). It is in this case often due to a bad position in the womb of the mother. In older children, a stiff neck may be related to an infection in the ears, teeth or throat, or meningitis.

A herniated disc or osteoarthritis can also be the cause of torticollis.

Regarding spastic torticollis, the causes are not known.