Ways to Relieve Neck Pain

Nowadays, we find ourselves getting lost in our computers or staring down at our cellphones for most of our day. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the neck pain you feel may have a lot to do with that.

A stiff neck can develop over time when your muscles are forced to weaken due to misuse and poor posture.

Continue reading for some tips that can help minor or common causes of neck pain.

Use Ice, Then Heat

Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours to numb acute pain and reduce inflammation. Then apply heat once the acute pain has calmed down. You can do this by using a heating pad, compress, or simply by taking a warm shower.

Check Your Pillows

Neck pain can interfere with getting a good night's sleep. Though there isn't one particular pillow for everyone, water pillows or special neck pillows have been known to help relieve discomfort.

It can also help to change your sleeping position. When you have neck pain, the best sleeping positions are to lay either on your back or on your side, as it's less stressful on your spine.

Get A Massage

Massages can temporarily help to relieve neck pain and reduce stiffness by relaxing your muscles. Tension and inflammation are common reasons to experience neck pain, so working in a professional massage every now and then can help.

Take Medicine

Taking over-the-counter medicine may help to reduce mild to moderate neck pain. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help by reducing inflammation around the neck area.

 Improve Your Posture

Bad posture can weaken and overstretch the muscles in your neck, which can eventually lead to neck pain. Continuing to have bad posture can often make your neck pain worse.

The key to fixing poor posture is to strengthen and stretch your muscles. You can do this through various stretching exercises.

 Stretch

With the proper stretching and manipulation of your neck, you may be able to find relief from the stiffness and pain you're feeling.

Up and down, side to side, and slow range-of-motion exercises are typically the best way to gently stretch out your neck.

Here are a few stretches you can try:

• Bring your ear to your shoulder, each side, 10 times.

• Push your shoulders back, squeezing your shoulder blades together, 10 times.

• Roll your shoulders backwards and then down 10 times.