There is a reason why those things in life that cause us discomfort are often referred to as “a pain in the neck” even if what we are talking about has nothing to do with that body part! That’s because neck pain, while seldom a serious condition, can still be a major distraction. Regardless of how neck pain is caused, whether by an injury or something as simple as sleeping in the wrong position, it is hard to go about one’s normal routine when every time you try to turn your head you feel a stab of pain! Fortunately neck pain is usually very treatable, and here is a guide to some of the most common treatments.

1. Applying Heat

Many people suffering from neck pain find it very soothing to apply a heating pad to the affected area. Set the pad on medium and apply it for at least twenty minutes, and do so every two or three hours. Sometimes a warm shower works just as well.

2. Applying Cold

Interestingly, the same treatment using heat often works just as effectively, or even more so when using cold. That is because cold itself is a numbing agent, so if applying heat isn’t working, try instead applying an ice pack for about fifteen minutes every two hours.

3. Don’t Make it Worse

An episode of neck pain is no time to go out playing sports or sitting for a long time at a computer. Overhead lifting is also something to avoid. Use commonsense to keep from doing anything that may aggravate your condition by letting pain be your guide – if it hurts don’t do it!

4. Take Pain Relief Medications

There are a number of over the counter medications that may provide short term relief for neck pain. They usually come in the form of a cream or gel that you rub on the painful area, although common pain pills like aspirin or acetaminophen may work as well. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen might also be helpful. Some people swear by such products while others find them useless, so it is only by experimentation that you can discover whether they will work for you.

5. Reduce Stress

Stress causes our muscles to tense up, which is exactly what you don’t want if you have a sore neck. Simple acts like walking can provide both a distraction from pain and help to indirectly loosen up the muscles of your neck. Exercise in general reduces stress.

6. Don’t Smoke

Sometimes it seems that doctors recommend not smoking no matter what the medical condition. But the fact is that if your neck pain is caused by an injury, quitting smoking can help because smoking slows the rate of healing by decreasing the blood supply in the injured area.

7. See a Chiropractor

It is well known that massaging the neck muscles can alleviate neck pain, but only if the person performing the treatment knows how to do it. In fact if the wrong technique is used it could actually make the neck pain worse. In combination with the previously mentioned treatment guidelines, treatment from your chiropractor could be just what you need not just to relieve your pain, but to ensure that it does not return.

Make sure to check out the chiropractor reviews on this site as well.