Imagine waking up in the morning with severe pain and stiffness in the neck? The very thought can make us say “Ouch”! The neck is the main support system for your organs and is responsible for the movement of all major muscles in your head. A stiff neck can immobilize these functions partially. Even the slightest movement can lead to severe neck pain and aggravated conditions. Although common neck pains are caused by posture-related issues, frequent stiff necks can indicate serious problems. Let us understand more about this problem at length and also learn about the 25 Natural and stiffness!
Table Of Content:
- Causes For Neck Pain
- Symptoms Of Neck Pain And Stiffness
- How To Prevent Neck Pain And Stiffness?
- Try These Easy Remedies for Neck Pain And Stiff Neck At Home
- Frequently Asked Questions
Causes For Neck Pain:
Neck pain and stiffness can be caused by many factors. It is important to understand the cause before deciding on a treatment. Some of the main causes are as follows:
- Sudden Injury
- Whiplash, usually caused by accidents
- Neck Sprain
- Straining of neck muscles
- Tension headaches
- Improper posture
- Choosing a wrong pillow
- Infections
- Arthritis
- Migraine headaches
- Herniated cervical Disk
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Read More: Neck Pain Causes
Symptoms Of Neck Pain and Stiffness:
Check out these symptoms of neck pain and stiffness listed below, to confirm your problem:
- Severe Neck Pain
- Stiffness in the neck
- Inability to move the neck
- Trouble moving your facial muscles
- Headache
- Numbness in neck
- Tingling sensation
- Immobility in hands and shoulders
- Radiating pain down the arms
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How To Prevent Neck Pain and stiffness?
Neck pain is a painful condition and is best avoided. By following these precautions, you can ensure a strengthened neck area and reduced chances of pain and stiff necks:
- Get yourself a new pillow that adheres to the health standards.
- Place your screen at the eye level.
- Never operate phones in sleep position or bent necks.
- Don’t text for long hours.
- Use a headset to talk on the phone.
- Exercise regularly.
- Perform stretching exercises carefully.
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Try These Easy Remedies for Neck Pain And Stiff Neck At Home:
- Ice Pack Application
- Take A Warm Water Shower
- Maintain An Exercise Regimen
- Get A Massage
- Work On The Body Weight
- Good Posture Is Important
- Alternative Therapy
- Stretching Is Significant
- Have A Thin Pillow
- Ginger
- Over The Counter Pain Relievers
- Relax And Lie Down
- Epsom Salt
- Knee Bending
- Hand Support
- Swimming
- Horse Radish
- Take Breaks
- Change The Mattress
- Balms
- Do Not Stop
- Eye Level Work
- Cayenne Pepper
- Keep The Spine Straight
- Yoga
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Tremendous Home Remedies For Neck Pain:
Following are the best and excellent home remedies for neck pain which are very helpful to cure that pain of neck has no side effects also.
1. Ice Pack Application:
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A good way to treat the neck pain is by using an ice pack on the neck for some time. Take a towel and apply the ice through it on the skin. It helps in releasing the stiffness from the muscles and hence reduces the main considerably. Instead of ice packs, a bag of frozen vegetables can also be used. It a good remedy with excellent outcomes. It is very simple and fastest relief home remedy treatment.
Tips: Don’t put an ice pack directly. Place it on a cloth to avoid frostbites.
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2. Take A Warm Water Shower:
Warm water helps in improving the blood circulation in the body and the neck. This thus helps in reducing the stiffness that usually leads to the pain. Take a warm water shower for 10-15 minutes to get rid of this crisis without much effort. It will also reduce body pain if any. This can give a better relief to your pain of the neck.
Tips: You can even place a warm cloth on your neck for faster relief.
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3. Maintain An Exercise Regimen:
There are various neck exercises that can ensure that there is no stiffness and pain in the neck. Not only do they treat the problem but also help in prevention. Make sure you ask a professional about the best exercises that can be used for the neck and for treating the pain. It is a safe home remedy for neck pain to be used.
Tips: Perform exercises only after the stiffness is completely gone.
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4. Get A Massage:
A good neck massage using some coconut oil or olive oil is one of the best ways to enhance the blood flow to the region and thus reduce the stiffness and pain on the neck. This should be done each day for 15-20 minutes and most preferably by a masseur. If not, you can massage the neck gently by yourself. This is one of the natural home remedies for neck pain and also worked as permanent.
Tips: Never put excessive pressure on the affected area, as it can cause more strain on the muscles.
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See More: How To Cure Cracked Heels
5. Work On The Body Weight:
Healthy and right body weight is very important for the treatment of neck pain. Make sure you have an exercise regimen for the body to have the apt weight as per your height and age. This home remedy will help in the treatment of neck pain in an efficient manner.
Tips: Exercising regularly can strengthen your muscles and also help you balance weight.
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6. Good Posture Is Important:
It is very important to start learning the art of good posture if you want to treat the neck pain with home and safe remedies. Practice certain ways of sitting and standing that does not leave pressure on the neck. It is one of the ideal things to do if you want perfect outcomes.
Tips: Practice sitting up straight or take support with a neck collar.
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7. Alternative Therapy:
Ice and hot water therapy is one of the best and effective among severe neck pain home remedies. Once can first apply the ice pack for a few minutes followed by a hot water bag application and then repeating the process. It is a good way to relieve the pain from the area. Most of the people followed this simple and easy home remedy for neck pain in a safe manner.
Tips: Never place these packs directly on the skin. Use a cloth or a wipe to avoid direct contact.
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8. Stretching Is Significant:
By stretching from time to time, you ensure that the muscles do not stiff and even if they do, the pressure is released instantly. This helps in the treatment of the neck pain as well as prevention of the same. Stretching exercises can be used for the purpose of neck pain.
Tips: Stretching should never be done when in pain, as it can lead to muscle tears.
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9. Have A Thin Pillow:
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Often, it has been seen that a thick pillow is one of the major causes of neck pain. For ensuring treatment of the same neck pain, use thin pillows under the head while sleeping. This is a very smart and useful home remedy for neck pain.
Tips: Opt for a memory foam pillow that can render the natural shape of your neck bones.
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Read More: Pillows for Neck Pain
10. Ginger:
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory agent and is also one of the neck pain remedies which you can use for assured results. It is also very easy to use this. All you need is some dried ginger powder and some water. Taking this every day, especially when in pain, can alleviate tension in your muscles and create a feeling of warmth.
How To Prepare?
- Take some ginger powder and mix with some water.
- Now you can drink this every day at least twice.
- Also, you can use compressed ginger in a cloth and use on the pain area.
Who Should Avoid?
People with sensitive stomachs must avoid this remedy
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11. Over The Counter Pain Relievers:
There are some natural elements such as sodium and other stuff that can remove the neck pain instantly. Pain relievers such as naproxen also work effectively when it comes to neck pain. It is also recommended by experts and some physicians as well.
Tips: Take these pills only when absolutely necessary. Overdose can lead to liver and gastric problems.
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12. Relax And Lie Down:
This is one of the most effective home remedies for neck pain and you can easily do it to get relief from neck pain. To soothe the muscles of the neck you can lie down straight with your neck muscles at rest with a base of a nice and thin, soft pillow. This is also the most common remedy for neck pain.
Tips: When resting, place pillows under your shoulder as well, for additional support.
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13. Epsom Salt:
This is of course the magical home remedy for neck pain easily and as of that matter all kinds of pain in the body. The Epsom salt is an ingredient which is rich in magnesium and sulfur and thus helps to reduce neck pain fast. You can pour some Epsom salt in the bathtub and then soak your neck in it for about 15 minutes for some good relief.
Tips: Adding mint or eucalyptus essential oils to this bath can enhance the pain relieving benefits.
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14. Knee Bending:
This is one of the neck pain remedies and helps to strengthen the stomach muscles which are directly related to the upper back. The exercises which include bending of knees and such stretches to focus on the stomach together. These will surely help to ease the neck pain very well and very quickly too. This is one of the best neck pain remedies.
Tips: Ensure you take good support and do this exercise with great caution.
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15. Hand Support:
Maintaining an improper posture while sleeping can be said to be one of the most possible causes of neck pain. There might be some postures such as supporting your head with the help of your hand while sleeping which can be said to be one of the main reasons for causing neck pain. Remove the hand, and let the neck take the pressure alone. This will help with the neck pain as well for stopping.
Tips: Instead of a hand, try to use a rolled towel for better support.
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16. Swimming:
This is a very good exercise and you should practice swimming very often to stay trim and fit. This as a result will make you very much flexible and you will not have any problem in moving the neck or not even have any kind of neck sprain. You should do swimming at least 4-5 times a week to stay very fit. Swimming is very helpful to not getting neck pain.
Tips: Swimming can be practised only after the pain and stiffness have subsided.
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17. Horse Radish:
Also known as sahijan this is a herb which is known to reduce any kind of muscle strains and pains. This also includes neck pains and you should apply sahijan or horseradish to the neck area. Make sure you remove it just after letting it rest for a few minutes because it may cause numbness or burning sensations. But this is one of the natural and powerful neck pain remedies.
Tips: If you experience any rashes or abnormal symptoms, avoid this remedy.
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18. Take Breaks:
If your work demands you to sit for very long hours you need to take frequent breaks so that you do not strain your back and neck. Also try to keep a cushion behind your back, in these cases if you have to sit on a chair for long hours or maybe drive for long hours. You need to get up and then keep stretching your limbs to avoid straining. This is a very smart and cool tip for not getting neck pain.
Tips: A walk down the corridor or the garden can not only help in releasing the strain but also calms down your mind.
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19. Change The Mattress:
It is very important that you need to see and take care of what mattress you are using along with using a thin pillow. This means that it is very important that you only sleep on a firm mattress and not the ones which have no bind at all. These will be the reasons for regular neck strains and problems. So you have to avoid those type of thing which are caused by neck pain.
Tips: You should also flip the mattress once a while to maintain uniformity
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20. Balms:
You can easily get rubbing balms in the chemist’s store and all local medical stores. These are all effective home remedies for neck pain. You however are not to rub these balms on the neck or any area. These are for gentle massage because the amount of peppermint these have are really warm and may give you a feeling of burning when rubbed harshly.
Tips: Don’t massage deep into the tissues using these balms. It can lead to skin burns.
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21. Do Not Stop:
Do not become lazy and inactive when you have neck pains because being at one place will affect you even more. Just make sure you are very active just do not strain the area of pain by doing heavy chores. You should just not stay at one place without moving your neck at all because then the neck will get cramped.
Tips: Being active includes regular exercise and mobility of the body. So, make sure you walk for small distances at least.
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22. Eye-Level Work:
It is very important that you do not look down and only keep your neck and back straight while you are working. Working for long hours looking up or looking down may cause bad effects on your neck and you may also have severe neck pains. This tip prevents from getting more neck strain.
Tips: Place the gadget on a desk and use it for a limited time.
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23. Cayenne Pepper:
This is one of the most effective and popular homemade remedies for neck pain. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and you can use this to get relief from back pains. Roast some cayenne pepper and then take them on a piece of cotton cloth and then press it against the neck area for some relief. You need to do this at least about thrice a day.
Tips: If your skin is sensitive to Pepper, avoid this remedy
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24. Keep The Spine Straight:
It has been seen that in some cases when people don’t keep their spine straight and erect, it triggers some serious neck pain. Keeping the spine straight and steady can be said to be one of the best home remedies for neck pain. It takes a little bit of practice and a good chair to keep the spine straight. Physical fitness also plays an important role.
Tips: Performing Yoga regularly can help in straightening the spine. Additionally, use cervical support and a good backrest to stay erect.
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25. Yoga:
Wondering how to treat neck pain naturally? Yoga has a remedy for all disorders and especially Surya Namaskar regime is very good for neck pains. They have special postures which help to reduce neck pains with the help of proper stretching and postures. Practising yoga regularly can bring down the pain scale drastically. You can even notice strengthened neck muscles and reduced frequency of neck sprains.
Tips: Combining yoga postures with mudras and breathing techniques can work like magic for your neck!
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So, folks! we hope these 25 home remedies for neck pain and stiffness will prove useful to you. Most of these remedies don’t have any side effects and are quite safe. It is better to try them first, before seeking medical intervention. Also, ruling out serious causes early can save you from many health complications. Even if you experience the slightest discomfort, don’t hesitate to see the doctor!
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is Text Neck Syndrome?
Text neck is the new buzz word in the medical field. It is a condition where the neck muscles are strained due to excessive texting on the smartphones. Texting can strain your neck and shoulder muscles due to lack of proper support and prolonged bending. The best way to overcome this issue is to use a headset and just speak to people directly.
2. Can I get a massage done when my neck is still stiff?
A massage can alleviate your neck pain when done by a professional masseur. Simple strain in muscles can be treated with a hot oil massage, combined with different techniques. However, chronic stiff necks must not be confined just to a massage, as it is only a peripheral treatment. You might need certain medications to prevent future attacks.
3. What Are the immediate precautions for a stiff neck?
If you experience sudden pain or stiffness in your neck, don’t attempt to move it. Just relax and lie down in a comfortable position. Use an ice pack to get instant pain relief. A rolled towel must be kept under the neck for proper support. Wait for 24-48 hours to get your inflammation down. If nothing works, visit a doctor.
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