Neck pain can be a result of leaning over a table, having bad posture all day, every single day, and even using a mattress that is too soft for you.  Bottom line is that neck pain is mostly brought about by muscle tension. With all the activities that you can only do with the neck’s mobility, this area of your body is surely bound to have too much stress and strain. Your head weights eight to twenty pounds and it is just supported by a short stack of small bones named the cervical spine.
The cervical spine is supported by 32 muscles, cartilaginous vertebral discs, major arteries, and 8 nerves. It also has the spinal cord inside. But even with all these structures combined, the neck is still prone to damage because it does the most movements in your body. If you are not careful, you can induce damage to the neck and neck pain is just one of the outcomes.
When blood supply is decreased or cut off in a certain area of your body, pain happens. Usually, stress (emotional or physical) indices this. The muscles become tighter and the pain becomes even worse. To get rid of the neck pain, you have to be rid of the stresses and strains. Try these neck pain remedies that you can try at home:
1. Rest
Resting is always one of the best neck pain remedies that you can do. This gives your neck muscles to recharge but don’t use a thick pillow.
2. Ice therapy
Application of ice is one of the neck pain remedies that you can perform as long as you have ice. Cold reduced inflammation and pain. Let the ice be in contact with your neck for about 15 minutes. Wrap the ice in a plastic bag and then in a towel so that it won’t burn your skin.
3. Apply heat
Applying a heat pad on your painful neck is one of the neck pain remedies that you can have before you sleep. Heat makes the blood circulate fast and the healing more accelerated. If you don’t have a heating pad, you could just use a hot towel, a hot water bottle, or your hot shower. Make sure that you don’t get in direct contact with the heat so you will not be burned. Alternate this with your ice pack for optimal results.
4. Relax
Emotional or mental stress can help in triggering neck pain. Think about what makes your muscle tense up. It can be horrid meetings at work, driving to work, hurrying to dinner every night, meeting the in-laws, and making a grocery least, among others. If you have noticed the things that make you stress out a lot, then you will be able to find ways on how to avoid them or alter them. Relaxation techniques can help you deal with these stressors. Yoga, progressive relaxation, breathing exercises, physical exercise, and meditation are all techniques that you can use to relive stress.
5. Massage
As you know, massage is one of the neck pain remedies that is really effective in taking away the pain. Even if it only gives temporary relief, being subjected to neck massage can induce deeper, better sleep. Do this after you have taken that warm bath. If you have a partner to perform a neck massage on you, then you will fall asleep without even knowing it. If you don’t, you can always do this yourself. Just use lotion or oil and have your neck massage for about fifteen minutes.
6. OTC pain meds
Of course, one of the fast neck pain remedies is to take pain medications that do not need prescriptions. Ibuprofen and aspirin are two of these medications. These also lessen the inflammation. But make sure that you consult your doctor especially when you know that you are allergic to these pain medications so that you can be given something that is suited for you. Also be aware of the side effects.
7. Good posture
One of the most practical neck pain remedies is to observe good posture. You have to make sure that your head and spine are in perfect balance so that neck pain can be prevented. Make use of a wall to align your body properly and to remind you to maintain the posture as much as you can everyday.
Aside from the given neck pain remedies, you could also build up your abdominal muscles, perform neck exercises, lose weight, perform eye-level work, don’t bash your neck, use a firm, orthopedic mattress, and take stretch breaks frequently.