Neck muscle or ligament (soft tissue) strain is one of the most common causes of acute and chronic neck pain. Soft-tissue injury is classified as "acute" if it has been present for days to weeks. If the pain lasts longer than three months, it is referred to as "chronic."  This occurs as a result of a failure of the tissues to heal most often due to a persistent underlying aggravating factors.

Lifting a heavy object, twisting, or a sudden movement can cause predisposed muscles or ligaments to tear.  Soft tissue injuries often occur during trivial movements such as turning your neck, washing your hair or other routine activities because of underlying tendinopathy. Pain may be immediate or not felt until the day following the strain. The severity of the pain can be severe and disabling.

Osteopathic treatment may help relieve muscle and ligament strain by : remodelling tissue architecture; stimulating tissue regeneration; and by improving blood supply and nerve activity so the tissues can heal unimpeded.

To achieve long term resolution it is important to identify and manage underlying causative and maintaining factors.