While neck pain can often be traced to injury or specific health conditions, work and home routines can also be culprits. It is usually temporary but can become chronic without proper care.
A stiff neck can be painful for you and interrupt you during your daily activities. These symptoms may even make getting a good night’s sleep difficult.
Read about neck pain and what to do in neck muscle strain treatment in this blog. Stay tuned!
What Causes A Neck Pain?
Common causes of neck pain include:
- Poor posture
- Stress, muscle tension
- Muscle strain
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- A compressed or pinched nerve
- Disc degeneration
- Whiplash
- A spinal cord injury
- A concussion
Neck pain is also associated with:
- High-stress levels
- Anxiety
- Depression
It’s important to address neck pain right away to prevent it from becoming a chronic concern. Stretching, adjusting your lifestyle, and taking medication together can help reduce muscle pain and tension in the neck. If you still have neck pain symptoms, then you can always get chiropractic or massage therapy services from Synergy Spine and Health.
Other Conditions That Cause Neck Pain
Neck pain can often arise from muscle tension or injuries, but certain medical conditions can also cause neck pain as a side effect. These include viral and bacterial infections, which can cause your lymph nodes to become inflamed and swollen.
Read about the symptoms of neck stiffness or pain:
- Meningitis
- Tonsillitis
- The common cold or the flu
- The Epstein-Barr virus or mononucleosis (mono)
- Thyroid conditions
- Heart disease or a heart attack
Neck Pain Treatment And Remedies
Remember that a doctor should evaluate any pain, stiffness, or mobility issues involving your neck. It’s essential to rule out injuries and infections. Always ask for professional medical advice before trying approaches on your own.
A physical examination by a doctor can assist in identifying the cause of your pain. X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound imaging can also help make a diagnosis.
Read about these home and natural remedies that can help you with treating the pain:
Apply Heat Or Ice
Ice can help in reducing inflammation and swelling by lowering blood flow to an area. Heat does the opposite, and it stimulates the blood flow.
Both ice and heat can work together to ease a strained or torn muscle and give it time to heal. They can also provide timely pain relief for an overworked spot on your body, such as the neck. Some experts recommend applying ice for soft tissue injuries for 20 minutes a few times daily.
Make sure that you buy or make a cold compress that will prevent the ice from directly touching your skin. You can alternate between applying ice and heat. A warm bath or shower or a heating pad may also help.
Take Over-The-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers
OTC pain relievers don’t need a prescription and can help reduce general pain and inflammation in the body.
OTC pain relievers include a class of medication called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Common NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
On the other hand, there’s another OTC pain reliever, which is called acetaminophen (Tylenol), but while this medication can reduce the pain, it won’t reduce the inflammation.
Always take these as directed by a doctor. Follow the instructions on the bottle. One thing that you need to note is that NSAIDs and other OTC pain relievers can have side effects, including upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea.
Stretch But Avoid Sudden Movements
Stretching can help relieve pain and stiffness and prevent them from recurring in the future. It is important to stretch gently and slowly, always breathing in and out fully. Sudden movements or overstretching can cause more pain or injury.
Exercises to relieve neck pain and stiffness are often straightforward and can be done at home (or at your desk). Talk with a doctor or physical therapist (PT) about creating a manageable routine that works for you.
Stretches often used to reduce neck stiffness include:
- Roll down your shoulders backward and then forward in a circle
- Press your shoulder blades together lightly, then hold the position for a few seconds. Once done, you can repeat it.
- Slowly turn your head from side to side, as far as is comfortable
See A Physical Therapist (PT)
A doctor may refer you to a PT if you want to regain strength and mobility in your neck after an injury. PTs can help reduce chronic pain by assigning helpful exercises to train your muscles.
A PT will create a treatment regimen tailored specifically for you, depending on the cause of your stiffness or pain. You’ll see your therapist during regular sessions and do exercises as directed at home. Often, PT exercises can be done anywhere for a couple of minutes daily!
Consider Chiropractic Care Or Book A Massage
A licensed chiropractor manipulates muscles and joints to provide pain relief. Chiropractors usually specialize in a specific area of the body. Their patients can be everyone, from people recovering from injuries to pregnant women.
Talk to a doctor about whether seeing a chiropractor might be your next best step. You can also get massage therapy from a professional. These massage practitioners know how to help loosen and stretch your neck and back muscles.
Final Thoughts:
Neck pain is a common problem, affecting millions of people each year. Most of the time, a stiff neck with minor pain can be treated with all the pain relief techniques at home with ice, OTC pain relievers, and light stretching. However, for more persistent issues, visiting a physiotherapist clinic may be necessary. Additionally, treatments like chiropractic adjustment and dry needling can offer significant relief.