Simple Remedies for a Stiff Neck

Posted by Bradley Cameron on February 1st, 2019

With so many of us gazing into computers or staring down at our smart phones most of the day, it’s no wonder data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 20 percent of us have experienced neck pain within the past three months. It causes the muscles around the neck joints to tire and become overstretched. Driving for long periods of time or looking at your smart phone can have the same effect. Let’s discuss some simple remedies for a stiff neck.

1. Create an ergonomic workplace:

Many people work at a computer desk for eight hours each day. This can contribute to a stiff neck, as well as other ailments. Here are some ways to prevent a stiff neck at work:

• Adjust your chair into a comfortable position with your feet flat on the floor and your knees a bit lower than your hips.
• Use ergonomic posture while sitting, with your back straight and your arms level to the desk.
• Adjust your computer so that it’s at eye level.
• Use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse.
• Stand up to stretch and move every hour.

2. Apply cold and heat:

But cold first. Here’s why: Heat may compress and tighten muscles, which could make it worse if you don’t first apply cold. Cold relieves neck pain by reducing lactic acid buildup. It also numbs the pain and helps against inflammation. After you chill out the knot in your neck or upper back, apply heat to increase blood circulation. Here’s a method:

• Fill a plastic bag with ice/frozen peas/cold pack and wrap it in a towel.
• Apply to the neck, between the shoulders, or at the base of the head for 20 minutes.
• Apply a hot application, such as a hot shower or bath, a heating pad, hot water bottle, or hot towel, for 20 minutes.

3. Acupuncture for Neck Pain:

Acupuncture – a method in which tiny needles are inserted in specific and strategic points of the skin – has been widely used to treat any kind of pain. These points, when activated by the acupuncture, regulate the functioning of the body and also the circulation of blood and lymph in order to relieve pain .Consult a certified therapist to treat your neck pain through acupuncture. Neck pain in Ashford Kent can easily be treated through osteopathy. They cover all treatments in health insurance with consultation sessions.

4. over the counter medications:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work by decreasing inflammation in muscles and are on the first treatments for symptoms of chronic neck stiffness or pain. Common NSAIDs include Naproxen, Naprosyn, Ibuprofen, Advil, and Motrin. For more serious cases, speak with your doctor about obtaining a prescribed anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxant, especially for cases of severe pain like a herniated disk.

5. Sleep Correctly:

When it comes to resting the muscles of the neck, one of the things you can do to make sure that you are resting them correctly is to avoid sleeping on it the wrong way. If your neck is held in an awkward position overnight, it can lead to a pinched nerve and a stiff neck. Doctors advise that you avoid sleeping on your stomach since this position is unnatural for the spine, especially for an entire night.