Did you know that more than one-third of people experience issues with a stiff and sore neck at least once a year?
Even if you know you’re not alone in suffering from this debilitating condition, it can be challenging when you don’t know what to do in order to start feeling better. Many people don’t realize that there are several things you can start taking action on today in order to ease your pain.
If you want to find out about the important tips and strategies in order to start feeling better, read on and we’ll tell you what you need to know.
1. Try an Effective Remedy
If you have minor neck pain, these are several things you can try in order to start feeling better. Keep in mind that these are techniques that work best for those whose neck pain is due to common causes.
If you are suffering from severe neck pain, it’s a good idea to see a specialist. If you’re not sure if you should see a specialist or not, remember that there are several telltale signs that you should see a neck specialist. If you have one of these telltale signs, then click for a neck specialist.
Apply Ice or Heat to the Sensitive Area
As a general guideline, it’s a good idea to use ice for forty-eight or seventy-two hours, and then to use heat after that. If you’re looking for good ways to apply heat, consider doing things such as taking a hot shower, using a hot compress, or applying a heating pad.
Use an Over the Counter Pain Reliever
There are many different over-the-counter medicines that you can use, but most doctors suggest that people use ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Keep in mind that you should always follow the instructions on the product’s label. This is a great way to find fast pain relief for stiff and sore necks.
Use a Soft Neck Collar
You can find one of these at your local pharmacy, but it is a better idea to reach out to your local healthcare provider in order to find the one that will best work for your needs.
2. Get a Massage for Your Stiff and Sore Neck
If you’re able, ask a partner, a friend, or a family member to massage the areas on your sore neck that are most bothering you. This is one of the most enjoyable remedies for stiff and sore necks because it usually feels good to get a massage.
When somebody is giving you a massage, ask them to experiment with several techniques until they find the right one which offers you relief. You should also encourage the person massaging you to take frequent breaks in order to ask you questions such as “how are you feeling?”, or “do you want me to continue massaging you in this way?”.
If you don’t have anybody close to you who can give you a massage, consider booking a session with a professional masseuse. Trained professionals will be better at meeting your needs.
3. Do Some Basic Stretching
It’s important to start with slow stretches. Do several slow range-of-motion exercises by moving your neck up and down and from side to side. You can then try moving from ear to ear. Keep in mind that there are certain yoga poses that can also help to relieve your stiff neck.
4. Be Extra Careful With Your Sleeping Positions
If it’s possible, you should sleep only on your side or on your back. You should try not to sleep on your stomach. The reason for this is that you’re likely to be twisting your head from side to side when you choose to sleep on your stomach.
Another bad thing about sleeping on your stomach is that this position can be bad for your lower back because it doesn’t offer enough support.
5. Try to Reduce Stress in Your Life
When you’re stressed your muscles often get tenser. Even if your neck itself doesn’t get tenser when you feel stress, this can indirectly influence all of your muscles.
When you feel stressed, there are several things that you can do in order to start feeling more at ease. Many people report that listening to music can help. Choose music that has a low tempo and that makes you feel calm. You can also try exploring a new meditation technique.
6. Give Acupuncture a Try
Acupuncture is a technique that involves putting small needles into some of your body’s pressure points. There are many studies that suggest that acupuncture is helpful for those who are looking for ideas of how to fix a stiff and sore neck. There is also much that is still not known about how and why acupuncture works.
7. Don’t Drive for Long Time Periods if You Don’t Need To
It can often be difficult to not drive your car when there are so many daily trips that most people need to take. Driving for short periods of time is generally okay. If you have a long road trip planned and your neck is sore, consider postponing the trip until you start feeling better.
If you do need to drive, consider taking small and frequent breaks in order to stretch. You should also adjust your seat position so that you feel as comfortable as you possibly can.
A Pain-Free Neck Is Within Your Reach
When you are suffering from a stiff and sore neck, it can be easy to feel that the discomfort will never pass. Thankfully, most people do feel relief from their pain by trying a combination of several techniques.
If you want to find out more about what it takes to overcome pains and aches in your body, why not visit the Health section of our website. Here we regularly publish many relevant articles on this important subject.
