Neck pain treatments

Neck pain has become endemic due to the modern lifestyle, where a lot of time is spent sitting; using a computer, watching TV, playing video games, or driving a car. Stiffness because of poor posture is only one reason for neck pain. Sleeping in a peculiar position may cause a trapped nerve in the neck or shoulders, and you wake up with a pain in the neck. Turning your head too fast or whiplash from an accident or sporting injury also cause trapped nerves in the neck and shoulders. Anxiety and depression can also cause physical reactions like unconsciously keeping the muscles tense, which then causes pain. Large breasted women also get neck pain, as a result of posture problems. There are a variety of treatments for chronic neck pain.

For most people neck pain and stiffness lasts a few hours; but for others it can go on for days or weeks. Prevention remains the best medicine, and regular exercise which includes stretching and strengthening the joints and muscles, is essential. Another way to prevent neck pain from poor posture is to take breaks from working on the computer or laptop. The human head weighs 10 pounds, and the muscles and joints of the neck are strained when we sit in a "forward head" position while working on the computer. Walk a little and stretch a little in a few minutes of breaks every hour.

Heat therapy and massage are considered generic treatments for neck pain. In severe cases of chronic pain, a physician should be consulted, but another alternative is available in chiropractors. October is National Chiropractic Month and chiropractic care is used for treating neuromusculoskeletal problems which include back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches. Chiropractors usually use their hands in order to manipulate the joints of the body especially the spine in order to decrease pain, restore or enhance joint functioning. Such manipulations hardly ever cause any pain.



Yoga is one of the best do-it-yourself treatments for pain in the neck, or in any other part of the body. Yoga teaches proper alignment and posture, stretches muscles that are tight, strengthens muscles that are weak, and improves joint mobility. The specific yoga exercises for neck pain treatment are neck stretch and neck release. Neck stretching can be done while seated; slowly turning you head and touching each shoulder with the chin, then stretching it back and then taking it down to touch the chest. The operative word here is SLOWLY. Neck release is done while lying down on your back; the feet are anchored to the floor but the knees are raised. Slowly rock your head from side to side and feel the kinks in your neck melting away.