Your neck aches. You can barely move your head to the left, and it’s giving you a headache. This may ruin the plans you had for today. Now what are you going to do? That date was important!
Does this sound familiar? If you have recurring neck pain, it can greatly affect your day to day life. Neck pain can make you irritable and annoying to be around. Neck aches can cause headaches that further limit what you can do. Neck aches can come from sleeping wrong, having bad posture, or from a car accident. There are many reasons to have a neck ache. There are also many ways to soothe one.
Pain Relieving Pills
One of the first things people go to when they are achy is pain medication. This works for a lot of people. Medication like ibuprofen and aspirin can have a great effect on achy muscles. Be sure to keep to the correct dosages. If you still have a neck ache after taking pills, use another method to feel better. Don’t take more medication than the product suggests.
Topical Creams
Creams and salves like Tiger Balm, Ben Gay, and Activ-On can all help relieve pain. These products are rubbed onto the area that hurts and provides a soothing, cooling feeling. Some of the products, like Tiger Balm, also have a menthol smell that can help relieve a headache that may occur from the pain. Pick these items up in your local pharmacy.
Heat Pack/Cold Pack
An inexpensive way to fix a neck ache is to use a hot and cold pack. Keep one pack in the freezer and warm the other in the microwave or by filling it with hot water. Look at the directions of the hot and cold packs you buy to see how to do this. Alternate the hot and cold pack, changing between them every fifteen minutes. This will likely minimize any inflammation in the muscles of the neck, thus lowering the amount of pain.
Neck Rubs
By soliciting a loved one or friend to rub your neck, you can greatly reduce the amount of pain you may feel. Have your friend rub and massage the neck and shoulders. They should massage all areas, not just where it hurts. This way, they can target problem areas that may not be showing pain yet. Combine this method with one of the topical creams to double the effectiveness.
Neck Exercises
Neck exercises can stretch the areas of the neck that may need help. Sitting straight up in a chair, bring your right ear down to your right shoulder. Hold that pose, making sure to keep your face looking straight ahead. Perform this move on the other side as well. Next, turn your head to the side, looking out to the left or right of you. Try to turn your head as far to the side without experiencing pain. Hold this pose, and then repeat it on the other side.
Posture
Bad posture can turn a bad neck ache worse. If you start to feel tightness in your neck, make sure to sit up straight, holding your head level. Don’t spend a lot of time with your head looking down or up, as this can cause more neck pain. Watch your posture. This can not only make your pain feel worse, but it could be the culprit to the beginning of the neck ache.
Bath/Shower
Sometimes taking a hot bath or shower can make a big difference when it comes to soothing an achy neck. Let the warm water wash over the affected area. Take as long as you need in this shower. The better you feel, the more you’ll be able to do today.
Sleep
One of the best ways to cure a neck ache is to get a good night’s sleep. If you’ve exhausted all your other options, wait to see how you feel tomorrow. Although it may not be a scientific fact, sometimes you just feel better the next day. It’s like your body resets and makes everything feel normal again. If you try everything and still nothing works; sleep.
Once you start feeling better, you’ll be able to do all the things you had planned for the day. I know from experience that having a neck ache can make everyday activities a chore. Try your best to soothe your neck ache early before the pain gets out of control.
