What a Pain in the Neck!
Raise your hand if you've ever woken up with a crick in your neck? You know, that pain on one side, that if you look over one shoulder — ouch! It can last all day or even a few days, can cause other muscles to tense up, and can give you a major headache.
The next time you wake up with this annoying pain, stiffness, or loss of movement, try this:
- Take a nice long HOT shower.
The temperature and pressure of the water will help relieve some of the tension in your neck. You know that old saying, "Move it or lose it?" Using those stiff muscles will make them feel better, so as the hot water warms up your muscles, try and do some gentle shower stretches to help improve your range of motion. - Gently massage the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Or better yet - get someone to do it for you.
- After you're all warmed up, lie on your back with your knees up, feet flat on the floor, and your head on the ground. Pull in your stomach and tuck your chin slightly. Slowly and gently turn your head right, then left, five times in each direction. Also work on lifting your head off the ground slightly five times. Slowly using your stiff muscles will help them to relax.
Want to know what else you can do to relieve your pain? Then read more
- If the pain is really bad, take an OTC anti-inflammatory like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen sodium/naprosyn). Throughout your day, you can use a heating pad or hot pack on your neck. This helps to bring blood to the area and also relieves stiffness. Also continue to do gentle stretches. While sitting in a chair, try this neck stretch.
- After work, get a massage or go to a gentle yoga class. Then take another hot shower. Hopefully you'll wake up the next day pain-free.
If the pain persists for more than a few days, see your doctor. You could have a serious injury such as a pulled muscle, pinched nerve or misalignment in your spine.
