Neck pain usually occurs because of a trigger, which may be precipitated by a history of chronic degeneration or because a new injury has occurred. Many treatments for neck pain exist, including medications and alternative methods. Talking with your doctor will help establish the best pain relief measures for you.
Step 1
Consult your physician. The first place to start for pain relief remains with your doctor. Your health care provider knows your history and medication regime. Talking with your medical doctor will sort out your needs for testing as well as establishing a route to stop your neck pain, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends.
Step 2
Seek an acupuncturist. Acupuncture remains a devised alternative way to stop pain. The acupuncturist will place needles into different areas of your body to alleviate the pain. In most cases, you will make several visits to receive treatment for neck pain. A certified specialist will perform the procedure and treatment for you. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states blood can cause problems for this type of treatment, meaning if you take blood thinning medicines, you should not receive acupuncture treatments.
Step 3
Visit a chiropractor for neck treatments to adjust you neck and spine. While this kind of treatment can help relieve neck pain, it may place you at risk for a stroke, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine indicates. Ask your physician first about the potential for strokes before visiting a chiropractor.
Step 4
Go to a massage therapist. Massage, a form of hands-on pain relief, releases the tension in the neck, allowing the muscles to relax. A combination of therapy including treatments your doctor may recommend may help you to feel less pain, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends.
Step 5
Ask your doctor about a TENS unit. This device, whose acronym stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, helps to change the pathway of pain through its application of therapeutic electrical impulses. This device can relieve pain, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports.
Step 6
Rest. This all-around alternative method for decreasing pain remains a good way to feel better. The body needs rest when it feels pain. Although often neglected as a viable treatment option, rest can help alleviate pain and aid in the natural healing process.
Step 7
Try hypnosis. Being hypnotized remains another alternative route, which may help the brain to divert its constant trigger for pain within the body. Hypnosis has proven effective against various forms of pain, MayoClinic.com reports.
Things You'll Need
- Medical evaluation
- Acupuncture specialist
- Chiropractor
- Rest
- Massage
- TENS unit
