subject: 6 Tips To Relieve Neck Pain At Night [print this page] Often caused by inflammation of joints in the neck or strain or spasm in the muscles of the neck and shoulders brought about by sleeping on pillows that do not provide proper neck support, or lack of exercise and bad posture, it is without doubt that neck pain is one of the most common and disturbing problems that can hit us. So here are six tips you might want to consider in relieving your neck pain.
1. Get an orthopedic pillow. In most cases, neck pains are caused by wrong choice of pillows. Orthopedic pillows are made from materials that come with therapeutic benefits. They are designed to address specific problems in the body. A contour orthopedic neck pillow is recommended for neck problems. It gives proper support in the neck and alignment in the spine, reducing tension in the cervix and the back, and providing great comfort during sleep.
2. Change positions. Do some stretching exercises. Whether youre sitting or sleeping, shift positions. Avoid sitting or sleeping for long periods of time without shifting positions. Before going to bed, do some stretching. Turning your head from left to right and nodding it release muscle tension in the neck. From neck rotation and bending, do shoulder rolls. Do each exercise in 16 counts.
3. Do breathing exercises. Whilst neck pain can be attributed to bad postureslouchingand wrong choice of pillows, it can also be attributed to emotional stress. Giving time for breathing exercises, mediation or prayer before going to bed makes a big difference.
4. Use heat or ice. Then, give your neck a massage. Place a bag of ice or frozen towel on the neck for fifteen minutes. This can be done every two to three hours until pain is gone. Be cautious not to overuse ice as it may injure your skin. Heat can also help alleviate pain in the neck. Lay on the neck a moist towel dipped in lukewarm water. Be careful not to overheat the towel. Either wayafter whichgive your neck a massage. This helps relieve muscle spasm. This can be done with your hands or with a use of a vibrator.
5. Avoid the cold. Cold stiffens the muscles in the neck. During cold, put on a piece of cloth or wear clothes (like turtlenecks) that can protect your neck.
5. Take a painkiller. Whilst there are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve neck pains, aspirin also works well with problems in the neck. When taking one, take the smallest dose necessary to reduce pain.
In most cases, neck pain can be resolved through simple means. In fact, 70 to 80 percent of neck pains heal on their own a few hours. However, in such case where aching neck does not get better within days or weeks of treatment, consulting a specialist is recommended.
