Dealing with constant neck pain? No one should have to! Neck pain could be due to strained muscles, worn out joints, nerve compression, injuries, or arthritis. The good news? There are many natural ways to treat pain, without taking medication or needing surgery. Here, we’ve got 5 top natural methods to free you from your neck pain torment.
**5 Natural Ways to Ease Neck Pain**
**1. Stretch Often**
Whether you’re working from home or commuting daily, stretching a few times a day helps keep neck and back pains under control. Try these 3 simple stretches:
– **Neck rolls/circles:** Sit or stand with your arms by your sides. Start with your chin near your chest and circle towards your right shoulder, then to the back, your left shoulder, and back to the starting position. Do this to the left as well and repeat a few times.
– **Neck-friendly yoga poses:** The “cat and cow” pose is a great stretch. But, it’s best to do this one out of public view, as you’ll be on the floor on all fours.
– **Posture breaks:** Simply tilt your head towards your shoulder on each side for 15-30 seconds. Do this a couple of times until tension eases. Don’t push too far if it hurts, though!
**2. Maintain Good Posture**
Modern life often leads to bad posture. But fixing it can feel strange or even uncomfortable at first. You can stay diligent by:
– Doing planks or side-lying leg raises regularly can help correct the so-called “Donald Duck Posture”.
– Sitting upright in your chair with your shoulders back, or standing next to your desk stretching your back.
Remember, easing neck pain isn’t just about the neck. It involves the rest of your body too!
**3. Consider a Neck Collar**
Neck collars provide extra stability to lessen the strain on your neck. You can choose from soft (foam or felt) or hard collars (plastic), depending on the issue.
**4. Try Physical Therapy**
Reach out to a physical therapist if you need expert care or don’t feel safe exercising on your own. They can advise you on therapies, activities, and exercises that can help reduce and prevent neck pain.
**5. Sleep in the Right Position**
Ever woke up with a stiff neck? It’s usually because of sleeping in an incorrect position. To avoid that:
– Try to sleep on your back, as it’s the most natural position for your body.
– If you must sleep on your side, avoid curling into a “fetal position”. Keep your back straight and use a pillow between your legs for better spinal stability.
**Seek the Help of a Neck Pain Specialist**
Don’t ignore persistent neck pain. Getting a proper diagnosis as soon as possible will help you get the right treatment and regain your quality of life. Medical therapies like nerve root blocks, facet joint injections, and neck pain injections can help reduce inflammation and pain. If required and suggested by your specialist, surgery can also be an option.
Remember, it’s totally okay to get help when you need it. Your health matters above all, so don’t hesitate to reach out to specialists.
Categories: Home Remedies
Tags: Natural Remedies, Neck Pain Relief
