4 Tips for Easing a Sore Neck

Neck pain is something that affects millions of people every day. Whether you were injured as a result of a car accident, or you simply slept in a strange position, neck pain can be, well—a pain in the neck! 

Not only can it be uncomfortable, but it can completely interfere with your daily to-dos. The good news is that there are several fairly easy and straightforward ways to alleviate your discomfort.  To help you, here are some of the best tips for easing a sore neck.

Practice Proper Posture

One of the most common reasons that people have neck pain is because they don’t practice proper posture. It’s important that you keep your shoulders back and your chin slightly tucked down. Avoid slouching or craning your neck to the left or right. This is especially important if you’re doing something like looking at your phone or anything else that requires you to look down. 

Ideally, you should adjust the position of whatever you’re doing so that your head aligns perfectly with what you’re looking at.

Stretch

Regular stretching can make a world of difference in healing. Gentle stretching is all about increasing your flexibility and reducing stiffness. Incorporate a few simple neck stretches into your daily routine and you’ll find you feel much less pain. 

Try to slowly tilt your head back and forth between each shoulder and hold for a minimum of 15 seconds. Additionally, you can try chin tucks which involve gently tucking your chin towards your chest and holding lightly for a few seconds until releasing. 

Lastly, head rotations can be very effective for loosening up the muscles and alleviating stiffness. Try to practice these stretches a few times a day until you find your symptoms disappearing. Remember, if anything hurts, don’t force it. It’s all about taking your time and listening to your body.

Use Hot and Cold

Alternating between hot and cold therapy can be extremely effective for the healing of sore necks. A cold pack should be applied during the first 48 hours after an injury or whatever caused your neck pain. After the first two days, you can switch to a warm compress or heat pad to relax the tight muscles and improve blood flow to the area. A hot shower could also help loosen these stiff muscles and encourage healing.

Change Your Sleep Position

If you notice that your stiffness flares up, particularly in the morning, then it may have something to do with the way that you’re sleeping. You may want to get rid of a few pillows or add a few more. 

It’s all about setting up your neck to avoid sleeping in an awkward position and adding extra strain. You may have to adjust your sleep position a few times to ensure that you’re encouraging healing. Perhaps laying on your side, or your back can improve your discomfort.  Try a few different positions until you no longer feel pain.

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