Have you ever awakened in the morning barely able to turn your head? Most often, you don't even know what caused the stiff neck, yet it hounds you all day, making life miserable. A stiff neck can be a real problem to your ability to function at worse and a nuisance at best.
Knowing how to treat a stiff neck may save you some unnecessary suffering. Check out the following ways to help alleviate a stiff neck with items you probably already have in your house.
Advertisement
1. Sleep on your side
The cause of your stiff neck may be the way you're sleeping. To keep from getting a stiff neck or making one worse, Reader's Digest recommends sleeping on your side or back. You may want to try a neck pillow for proper support, but at all costs, you want to avoid sleeping on your stomach because that will exacerbate your stiff neck.
The cause of your stiff neck may be the way you're sleeping. To keep from getting a stiff neck or making one worse, Reader's Digest recommends sleeping on your side or back. You may want to try a neck pillow for proper support, but at all costs, you want to avoid sleeping on your stomach because that will exacerbate your stiff neck.
2. Apply hot or cold compress
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. Spine-health recommends trying both heat and ice. See which one feels the best and stick with it.
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. Spine-health recommends trying both heat and ice. See which one feels the best and stick with it.
3. Get a gentle massage
To help loosen the tight muscles, Cleveland Clinic says to get a gentle massage on your neck.
To help loosen the tight muscles, Cleveland Clinic says to get a gentle massage on your neck.
4. Soak
If you have the time, Reader's Digest recommends an Epsom salt bath. The heat from the water will help loosen muscles, and the Epsom salt might be absorbed through your skin, helping tight areas to relax and heal. Add two cups of salt to the bath and enjoy.
If you have the time, Reader's Digest recommends an Epsom salt bath. The heat from the water will help loosen muscles, and the Epsom salt might be absorbed through your skin, helping tight areas to relax and heal. Add two cups of salt to the bath and enjoy.
5. Stretch the muscles
A stiff neck is often the result of muscles tightening. Cleveland Clinic recommends lightly stretching the sore muscles. Never force them, but try to increase your range of motion throughout the day. Take some time to do neck stretches.
A stiff neck is often the result of muscles tightening. Cleveland Clinic recommends lightly stretching the sore muscles. Never force them, but try to increase your range of motion throughout the day. Take some time to do neck stretches.
6. Gentle exercise
If your neck is stiff, Spine-health says to avoid hard exercise. Gentle exercise such as walking or low-impact aerobics will help increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the area and may help alleviate the stiffness.
If your neck is stiff, Spine-health says to avoid hard exercise. Gentle exercise such as walking or low-impact aerobics will help increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the area and may help alleviate the stiffness.
7. Use a mobile phone sparingly
Living in the tech-age, using a mobile phone to check email and posts is second nature. Reader's Digest recommends using your phone sparingly when suffering from a stiff neck as the posture of looking down will only make things worse. If you must use a phone, bring it up to eye level.
Living in the tech-age, using a mobile phone to check email and posts is second nature. Reader's Digest recommends using your phone sparingly when suffering from a stiff neck as the posture of looking down will only make things worse. If you must use a phone, bring it up to eye level.
8. Take painkiller
Cleveland Clinic notes that being "tough" isn't necessarily the best option. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with inflammation and discomfort, getting you moving much faster.
Cleveland Clinic notes that being "tough" isn't necessarily the best option. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with inflammation and discomfort, getting you moving much faster.
Advertisement
Most stiff necks go away within a day or two. If it lasts too long, see your doctor and make sure nothing serious is going on. For most sufferers, patience is the best home remedy.