Neck pain can creep up and ruin your day at the worst possible moment. It starts small but can grow to restrict the entire movement in your neck. The pain and discomfort can often become all that you can think about. If this is something you struggle with, it’s time to get it sorted! Neck pain can be the result of stress, strange sleeping positions or a general muscle strain. Here’s how you release the tension.
Warm bath – Sometimes a warm bath is just the trick to soften up a tight muscle. Try to find a comfortable position and let the warm water soak the skin. Muscles react strongly to warmth and cold. You can also try a warm towel once a day, followed by an ice pack. The change in temperature will encourage the muscle to expand and contract. This should naturally relieve the tension.
Yoga – Simple neck stretches can really help relieve your pain here. When we’re working all day, we often find we are tensing our neck and shoulders to type. A little yoga two or three times a week will help stretch these muscles out and avoid tightening. Yoga is great because you can target the tight areas. If you have back, shoulder and neck trouble, find a specific yoga stretch for those areas.
Massage and chiropractor. – If these simple ideas aren’t working for you, it’s time to try something more drastic. Massages are the perfect way to warm the muscles up and get the blood flowing. They release knots and tension in the muscles and should relieve pain and stress. A chiropractor will take a more targeted approach to your neck trouble. Take a look at www.advanceuc.com for an idea of possible chiopractic treatments available.
Reduce stress and physical activity – Stress and anxiety are big contributors to neck pain. We tend to hold a lot of trouble and stress in our shoulders and neck. Too much can lead to excruciating pain from tensing the muscles too much. Take steps to alleviate the stress in your life. Physical activity and strenuous activity can aggravate a stiff neck, so it’s best to avoid these.
Alter your sleep conditions – Another major reason for neck pain is sleep position. You may have noticed a neck pain that lasts just a day or so. That is usually the result of an awkward sleep position. That can strain our necks into an awkward position. When you consider that this position is held for up to eight hours, you can see where the pain comes from! Try using a more supportive pillow or a firmer mattress.
See a doctor – If none of these methods are helping your discomfort, seek medical help. Chronic neck pain can sometimes be a symptom of something more serious. Especially if accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, dizziness and fever.
In most cases, a stiff neck is nothing more than a buildup of stress and tense muscles. Find some time to relax, get a massage and practice some yoga. You’ll soon feel the stress drift away from your neck and you’ll be as good as new!
