1. Medication Can Help
Neck pain is a common problem and is usually caused by an injury or twisting your neck in an unusual way. Non-radiating neck pain is simply pain that stays in the area of your neck. If you are experiencing neck pain, you may find it difficult to move your head and neck. Taking some anti-inflammatory medication which is available without a prescription should help. Your doctor will recommend ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. If your neck pain is severe, he may start you on a short-term course of muscle relaxants. Injecting corticosteroid medications into the neck muscles is another option. There are also gels and creams which you can apply to the skin over the painful area. These may give you some temporary relief. To control the pain permanently you will need to find the cause of the pain and change it.
2. Stretch That Neck
Physical therapy can be an excellent option for chronic non-radiating neck pain and is considered the standard way of treating the problem. The physical therapist will assist you in gentle stretching exercises and possibly use either manual or mechanical traction. Traction stretches the neck muscles and may give you some immediate and profound relief from pain. There are home traction devices you can use, but talk to your doctor or physical therapist before beginning to use any kind of home traction equipment. Your physical therapist can also help you make posture corrections. He may recommend using a different office chair or computer station.
3. Get Adjusted
Chiropractic manipulation is a frequently used, although controversial, treatment for neck pain. Chiropractors manipulate the vertebrae in the neck and back that are experiencing pain or don't function properly. This manipulation is called an adjustment. Many chiropractors also use physical therapy treatments, such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound. With electrical stimulation, the therapist will place electrodes on your skin over the injured or painful area. These electrodes will send low currents of electricity to the muscles to reduce inflammation and swelling. Ultrasound used sound waves to break up tissue and get blood flowing to the painful muscle.
4. You're Hot and Cold
If you neck pain is cause by an injury, it can be helpful to apply ice packs to the injured area for the first few days. Use ice wrapped in a towel every 15 to 20 minutes. After the first few days, switch to a heating pad. Be careful not to fall asleep with the heating pad on your skin, as this can cause burns. You may find a hot shower to be helpful in reducing pain and relaxing the muscles.
