Acute or chronic neck pain afflicts millions of people around the world every year. Complications caused by neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability, a statistic highlighting just how much neck pain can impact our lives. If you’re wondering how to get rid of neck pain fast, here are some helpful tips that may help.

 

Apply a heat or ice pack to the affected area

Alternate between applying heat and cold to your neck to help alleviate swelling or pain. The heat will promote blood flow to your neck and reduce stiffness. The application of cold after will slow down blood flow, reducing the pain. If the neck pain is caused by a sprain or muscle cramp, an ice pack will go a long way to keep the pain under control. If you’ve experienced a severe injury from a car accident or other event, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.

woman sleeping on her side

Adjust your posture and sleep positions

The way you stand or sit can have a long term effect on your overall health, potentially leading to issues like neck pain. Making a conscious effort to keep your back and neck aligned will go a long way to minimizing symptoms. Also, stomach sleepers can reduce pain by trying other sleeping positions that put less strain on the neck. If you’ve been waking up with especially sharp neck pain or stiffness in the morning, it may be due to sleeping on the stomach for several hours which keeps the neck in a strained position.

Over-the-counter pain relief

Pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen will provide temporary relief of neck pain symptoms. However, pain relievers are not a viable long-term solution for chronic neck pain as they do not treat the source of the problem. Also, pain relievers will lose their effectiveness over time as the body begins to build up a tolerance. It is always a good idea to consult with a health care professional before taking over-the-counter medications.

Stretching and exercise

One simple way to deal with neck pain is to remain active, taking frequent breaks throughout the workday, and getting plenty of exercise. This will keep your muscles loose and ensure there’s proper blood flow throughout the body. Focus on stretching the arms, shoulder blades, and gently rotating the neck. Stretching and exercising regularly can help prevent many neck issues from occurring in the first place. Many issues with neck stiffness can be traced to remaining seated for too long in one position.

Ergonomics

Take the time to create a more ergonomic work and home environment for yourself. Neck pain can be caused by things such as looking at a computer monitor set too high or too low. By sitting up straight in your desk chair, the top of the computer monitor should be level with the top of the head. As a good rule of thumb, the elbows should rest at a 90-degree angle onto the desk, allowing the fingers to easily move across the keyboard. At home, adjust the height of the TV so there’s no need to look up or down to see it.

man stretching legs

Seek chiropractic care

If you continue to experience neck pain, it’s important to seek professional care sooner than later. Neck pain can potentially be a sign of serious health issues that may worsen over time. Find a chiropractic care clinic near you to check the alignment of your spine and have muscles or joints adjusted.

Get immediate relief from neck pain with the help of the Lewis Family Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Their team of experts assist individuals in the Westminster, Maryland area with recovery from car accidents, sports injuries, and pregnancy pain. Contact them today to learn about the wide range of pain treatment services available.