1. Get Ice on a Painful Neck
There is often confusion about whether to use ice or heat for neck pain. If you suddenly strain your neck, put ice on it as soon as possible. Ice will reduce swelling and inflammation. Just as you would use ice if you twisted your ankle or sprained your wrist, the same applies to your neck. Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes to the back of your neck and then take it off for 40 minutes. Repeat until the pain is lessened.
2. Change Your Sleeping Habits
We've all fallen asleep in a chair or on the couch and woken with a stiff, painful neck. The awkward position stretches some of your neck muscles and leaves other muscles short and contracted. Falling asleep with two or three pillows crammed under your neck can also put you at risk for sudden neck pain in the morning. If you notice neck pain upon waking, massage your neck and shoulders a little to loosen them, and stretch out your neck slowly. Use one supportive pillow at night to sleep.
3. Neck Pain Can Accompany Migraines
Migraines are caused by irritation to nerves and blood vessels around the head. These nerves and blood vessels also travel through the neck. The inflammation of these tissues can aggravate the muscles around the neck and shoulders and cause sharp neck pain. It is very common for migraine sufferers to also feel neck pain. Applying ice to the neck or doing light stretching may decrease the severity of a migraine.
4. Think a Few Days Back
Though your neck pain may have appeared suddenly, the cause may be due to something you did days before. A day full of yard work, the first golf outing of the season or riding roller coasters can inflame muscles and nerves, leading to neck pain even days later. Warm up your muscles before sports activities, even yard work, to reduce the risk of sudden neck pain.
5. Go To the Hospital with Trauma
Sudden neck pain due to trauma, such as whiplash or a fall on the head, requires a trip to the hospital. This is especially important if you also feel numbness or weakness in your arms. An exam and X-rays will rule out the possibility of fracture or severe disc injury.
