Spasmed muscles are often not painful to begin with, but will be noticed when the inability to move the area, whether neck, limb or back, through its normal full range of movement increases. A common stress area is usually manifested in our necks and can be caused by emotional problems at work or home, unless specific work muscles are being repeated.
Muscles that have spasmed are those that have been worked beyond their limits, resulting in a lack of electrolytes in the blood. This is a result of prolonged stress caused by intense physical and/or emotional tension. This can come over time or under undue physical stress activity.
Over a longer period, stress of this nature restricts blood supply to the muscles, which then becomes so starved of essential nutrients and oxygen that they are unable to return to their former relaxed state. By this stage, the spasm is chronic and becomes painful. If this condition persists, it will cause further emotional stress, intensifying the pain and discomfort in the neck, until the spasm is relieved.