Have you experienced having a crick in the neck? You know that you can move your body to a certain point, but when you go past that point, you get a snap of pain?
To avoid that you will keep at a safe distance from whatever triggers it. Slowly, the area will become less flexible and gradually the things you do to avoid pain and the area around the pain source will grow.
Sometimes you can help your self, but always discuss any information from this website with your Doctor.