You may have experienced neck pain at least once in your life. If you awake in an awkward position or are involved in a car accident, your neck pain can be sharp or dull, constant or fleeting. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, your neck is vulnerable to injury because it carries the weight of your head and it is less protected than your spine. If you suffer from neck pain, there are specific ways to address this problem.
Step 1
Rest your neck and lie down when you get a chance during the day. This will decrease the strain placed on your neck and help alleviate your pain.
Step 2
Wear a soft neck collar. This can alleviate the weight of your head on your neck and decrease your pain.
Step 3
Apply a cold pack to the affected region of your neck for 20 minutes at a time during the day. Do this frequently to decrease swelling. The Mayo Clinic recommends alternating cold compresses with heat. So, apply a heating pad to the affected area 20 minutes during the day as well. This can help soothe your aching neck muscles.
Step 4
Take over-the-counter pain medications, such as aspirin or creams containing menthol and camphor, to relieve your neck pain. These medications and creams reduce inflammation and swelling. Read the package inserts and take as directed.
Step 5
Stretch your neck gently to the right and hold it for 30 seconds. Repeat this for all directions and stop if it is too painful. Do these exercises frequently throughout the day to help relax your neck muscles and alleviate your pain.
Step 6
Use transcutaneous nerve stimulation to relieve your neck pain. This involves sending electrical pulses to your muscles. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in this treatment.
Step 7
Obtain a prescription for an opioid analgesic or a muscle relaxant if your neck pain is intolerable. These are stronger pain medications.
Step 8
Get corticosteroid injections to relieve your neck pain. Your doctor will inject the corticosteroids into your neck muscles.
Step 9
Undergo neck traction therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, in neck traction therapy a physical therapist will use weights and pulleys to gently stretch your neck muscles. This may provide relief for a few days.
Step 10
See a surgeon if you have exhausted all treatments to alleviate your neck pain. Surgery is rarely performed but it can alleviate your pain if your spinal cord or nerve fibers are involved.
Things You'll Need
- Aspirin
- Over-the-counter pain cream containing menthol, camphor
- Cold pack
- Heating pad
- Opioid analgesic
- Muscle relaxant
- Corticosteroid injections
- Soft neck collar
