This sounds most consistent with an acute neck muscle strain/spasm from the exercise. In most cases it improves gradually over a few days.
For now, avoid backward bending, heavy exercise and forceful neck stretching. Use a warm compress for 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times/day, and keep the neck gently mobile within a comfortable range rather than complete rest.
A pain-relieving/anti-inflammatory tablet may help, but the appropriate medicine depends on your history of gastritis/ulcer,
kidney disease, asthma, blood-pressure problems and other medications, so avoid adding multiple painkillers on your own.
Next Steps
If the pain is severe, persists beyond 5–7 days, or is not progressively improving, please get an orthopaedic examination.
Health Tips
Seek earlier assessment if pain starts radiating into the arm or you develop numbness, tingling, weakness, severe headache, dizziness, fever, difficulty walking, or bowel/bladder symptoms.