Neck Pain Relief

Posted in Neck Pain

Neck Pain Relief

Usually neck pain is a result of just sitting or relaxing in a strange position for a little too long.  The stiffness can even be caused by talking on the telephone the wrong way.  Over-the-counter medicine, like aspirin or ibuprofen can help, but there are other, easy ways to get neck pain relief.  In this article, we will provide some effective home remedies for neck pain and ways to prevent it entirely.

Neck Pain Remedies

Heat It Up

Take a hot shower, apply a heating pad on the low setting or use a hot water bottle.  Why’s it work?  Heat will relax the muscles, ease the pain and eliminate the stiffness.

If muscular tension seems to be the culprit, then using a hot compress is a great, fast-acting remedy.  Just soak a washcloth in hot water, wring it out, then apply it to your sore neck for 10 minutes.

Don’t feel like dealing with a wet washcloth?  Set your hair dryer on high and let the heated air blow on your sore neck for a few minutes.

Capsaicin

Use an over-the-counter cream that contains capsaicin, which is a compound found in hot peppers.  Believe it or not, the U.S. Army tested this out on people that suffer from chronic neck pain and found out that when applied 4 times a day, this cream significantly reduces instances of neck pain and stiffness.

Pressure & Massage

Apply Pressure

Here’s an easy trick that works well:  Using your fingertips, apply steady pressure on the part of your neck that hurts for a few minutes.

Massage

Using your hands, massage your neck in downward strokes for a few minutes.  After the 3 minutes are up, you should feel a dramatic difference.  Why’s it work?  Massage helps to loosen the tension in your neck, thus providing much needed relief.

Stretch It Out

For nearly instant neck pain relief, try one or both of these 2 stretches:

Neck Stretch 1

Before you begin, relax your neck muscles.  Without lifting your shoulder, tilt your head to one side as far as it will go without feeling strained.  Hold this neck stretch for 10 seconds and then repeat on the other side.  Do this 4 times.

Neck Stretch 2

Again, relax your neck and shoulder muscles.  Slowly, tilt your head forward and hold the stretch for 10 seconds.  Do this 4 times.

An Ounce of Prevention…

• If you’re a stomach sleeper, try sleeping on your back instead.  This will keep your neck from getting “kinked”.  You may also want to consider investing in a good, neck-supporting pillow, as well.

• Practice good posture.  By keeping your head, shoulder and hips in a straight line when sitting or standing, you will greatly reduce neck pain.

• If you spend a ton of time at the computer, make sure that your monitor is at a comfortable level.  By raising it to eye level, you will dramatically reduce the strain you put on your neck.

• If you’re a lady who loves to wear high heels, neck pain may be the price you have to pay.  Heels throw your spine out of alignment, making you stick your neck out.

• Keep your neck covered.  Make sure to throw on a scarf to protect your neck when it is cold out.  Cold temperatures can really aggravate neck stiffness and pain.

When To Call The Doctor

Usually neck pain is pretty harmless, however, you should see a doctor if the pain lasts for more than 3 days or if you find that the home remedies you try just don’t provide you with relief.  Of course, you should seek medical attention immediately if you believe that the neck pain is as a result of an accident or injury.

More Remedies That You May Find Useful:

• Arthritis: Natural Remedies For Arthritis Relief
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Tags: Capsaicin, heating pad, hot compress, Neck Pain, neck pain relief, neck pain remedies, neck pain treatments, stretches