What am I doing to my neck?

It seems like every time I ride I am straining my neck pretty good. Its always both sides of the back of my neck the two muscles or whatever that run from the back of your head down your neck.

The only thing I can think of is that when I catch an edge and slap the water good with the back of my head I am doing something. I usually have at least one of those when I ride and ride about three times a week.

If anyone has done this before what helps?

Thanks