‘Pain in the neck’—the phrase is often used derisively to imply a nagging annoyance. The person who coined this idiom must have lived through some real life, physical neck pain! Because neck pain can definitely become a huge annoyance!
A painful neck makes daily life pretty unbearable. The simplest of tasks become mountainous. Neck pain results in sharp or dull aching in the neck and shoulder area. Neck pain might also cause numbness, headache, stiffness, and difficulty while eating.
You may end up with neck pain due to bad sleeping postures, tension at home or job, long hours of leaning, lying in excessively soft mattress or bad body postures. But injury on neck and muscle tension has become the root cause for neck pain in many individuals today. It is important to counteract the problem at the onset to cure the pain and prevent it from becoming worse.
You really don’t need to head to the chiropractor to heal your neck pain! You can find relief with some easy home remedies!
Here are some of the best neck pain remedies that you can try to find some relief:
The cold pack or ice pack helps reduce the inflammation in the neck area. The pack should be applied on the painful area at twenty minute intervals during the first day of neck pain. This process of applying cold packs would definitely lessen the pain.
Ginger is a natural anti inflammatory agent. It improves blood flow and circulation to the neck, providing relief from the pain and inflammation. You can either drink half table spoon of powdered ginger mixed in water or you can compress ginger and add it to some hot water. Once it cools down, place it in a cloth and then finally place it on the neck for relieving the pain.
When heat is applied, it speeds up the flow of nutrient rich blood to the neck area, ensuring faster healing. You can use heat wraps that would last up to 8 hours. These are easily available in chemist’s stores. The heating pads can be used for about 20 minutes, every 2 or 3 hours with a low or medium setting.
A massage can heal any pain in the body. Gentle massage or rub the aching area to stimulate blood flow. A massage will help you sleep better too. Don’t rub the injured area if it causes excess pain.
Exercise can also help in healing your neck pain. Doing strengthening exercises and stretching would make your neck flexible, strong and reduce stiffness.
This is one of the simplest home remedies for neck pain. You just need to lie down to help your neck muscles recover and find relief from the pain. But avoid using thick pillows as they can further aggravate the pain.
Stress can also induce muscle tension. Pay attention to what stresses you and sort them out to get rid of neck pain. You can follow relaxation techniques, such as abdominal breathing, meditation, progressive relaxation or yoga. You can also engage yourself in hobbies at home to beat stress.
Soak Epsom salt in your bath tub and take a bath with the water. The salt contains sulfate and magnesium, which helps in regulating several enzymes in the body. It also increases blood circulation, reduces stress and muscle tension.
Posture also plays a vital role in relieving neck pain. A bad posture pulls the lower back curve forward and upper back curve backward and this would result in your neck curve getting strained. The wall is a useful tool to help align your body and improve your posture. Stand with your back towards a wall. The shoulders and buttocks should touch the wall. Your head should be close to the wall and your chin in level. Follow this posture throughout the day.
Avoid junk foods and include more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Being overweight strains all the muscles in the body, even the neck muscle.
Poor stomach muscles can cause your upper back to curve backward and result in your neck curving forward. Exercises, such as bent knee curls would help in strengthening your abdominal muscles.
There are two types of neck exercises, which help to relieve and prevent neck pain. They are gentle range of motion exercises and isometric exercises. Before starting up with the exercise, apply heat to your neck. Each of the exercise must be done 5 times in each session. You should perform at least 3 sessions every day.
Staying in shape is important even for your muscles. The stronger and flexible you are, the less prone you will be to neck pain. Swimming is recognized as one of the best exercises for strengthening your back as well as your neck.
If you are prone to neck pains then it is important that you take adequate number of breaks throughout the day. Leave your work and move around at least once in an hour.
Apply horse radish or sahijan to the neck for relieving pain. Remove it after few minutes, since it might lead to burning sensation or numbness.
Watch out for habits that maybe straining your neck muscles. Do you shampoo your hair bent over at the sink? Or do you carry on hour long conversations with the phone tucked between your ear and shoulder? Then stop it! Such habits can result in severe neck pain. So be careful and watch out for your neck muscles.
If you wake up with a sore or stiff neck, then the pillow or mattress or your sleeping habits are the real cause. Keep your head aligned with your spine on a firm mattress. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, since it pushes your head up. Switch your thick and firm pillows with feather or foam ones.
There are number of balms available in markets, such as rubefacient, analgesic to relieve neck pains. A pain reliever called Bio freeze would be effective for neck pain and stiffness in neck and shoulders.
Apple cider vinegar soaked in a tissue or paper napkin can be placed on the neck. Leave the napkin in place for a few hours. It is an excellent remedy for neck pains and stiffness.
Getting back to your normal everyday activities is advisable because movement helps in making your muscles stronger. But be careful and avoid lifting heavy weights as that can really make the pain worse.
Stand under a warm to hot shower. Allow the water to fall on your neck for about five minutes. Don’t move your neck when doing this and you’ll be amazed at the relief you get!
Extract some celery leaves juice. Drink it every day to get relief from neck pain and stiffness.
The laptop is marvellous invention, without a doubt. But not for your neck! Make sure you are looking straight and not down while working. Bad working posture is one of the leading causes of neck pain.
This remedy is found to be the most effective home remedy for neck pain. Take a hot shower and follow it up with some ice on your neck. Use the hot and cold therapy throughout the day, many times for about 15 minutes each for relief.
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which is known to contain anti inflammatory and analgesic properties to reduce neck pain effectively.
Neck pain can be debilitating. It can just take over your life. But with these neck pain remedies, you can now manage your pain better. If the pain persists, do seek medical help.
Do you suffer from frequent neck pain? What is the cause? What helps make it better? Share with us.