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Most
neck
pain
responds
well
to
home
care.
Neck
injuries
or
strains
often
result
in
painful
inflammation.
You
may
want
to
try
over-the-counter
pain
relievers
that
also
combat
inflammation,
such
as
aspirin,
ibuprofen
(Advil,
Motrin
IB,
others)
or
naproxen
sodium
(Aleve).
Acetaminophen
relieves
pain
but
not
inflammation.
Ice
is
another
good
way
to
reduce
inflammation.
Heat
can
help
relax
sore
muscles,
but
it
sometimes
aggravates
inflammation,
so
use
it
with
caution.
Apply
heat
or
ice
for
15
to
20
minutes,
with
a
40-minute
rest
between
applications.
For
pain
that
doesn't
get
better
with
simple
home-care
measures,
your
doctor
may
recommend:
- Physical
therapy.
Heat,
ice
or
similar
treatments
combined
with
an
appropriate
stretching
and
muscle
strengthening
program
may
enhance
the
structures
that
support
your
cervical
spine.
Such
treatments
are
often
all
you
need
for
neck
pain.
- Pain
medications.
Your
doctor
may
prescribe
stronger
pain
medicine
than
what
you
can
get
over-the-counter.
Opioid
analgesics
are
sometimes
used
briefly
to
treat
acute
neck
pain.
Muscle
relaxants
or
tricyclic
antidepressant
medications
also
may
be
prescribed.
- Traction.
This
therapy,
under
supervision
of
a
medical
professional
and
physical
therapist,
may
provide
relatively
fast
relief
of
some
neck
pain,
especially
pain
related
to
nerve
root
irritation.
Relief
may
last
for
hours
or
even
days.
- Transcutaneous
electrical
nerve
stimulation
(TENS).
Electrodes
placed
on
your
skin
near
the
painful
areas
deliver
tiny
electrical
impulses
that
may
relieve
pain.
- Corticosteroid
medication.
Although
there
is
some
evidence
that
corticosteroids
are
useful,
research
is
inconclusive.
These
drugs
may
be
administered
orally
or
via
injection
into
the
space
around
the
nerve
roots.
- Short-term
immobilization.
A
soft
cervical
collar
that
supports
your
neck
without
taxing
your
muscles
may
help.
- Surgery.
Surgery
is
rarely
needed
for
neck
pain.
It
is
used
to
relieve
nerve
root
or
spinal
cord
compression.
Prevention
Most
neck
pain
is
associated
with
poor
posture.
The
goal
is
to
keep
your
head
centered
over
your
spine,
so
gravity
works
with
your
neck
instead
of
against
it.
Some
simple
changes
in
your
daily
routine
may
help.
- Take
frequent
breaks
if
you
drive
long
distances
or
work
long
hours
at
your
computer.
Keep
your
head
back,
over
your
spine,
to
reduce
neck
strain.
Try
to
avoid
gritting
your
teeth.
- Adjust
your
desk,
chair
and
computer
so
the
monitor
is
at
eye
level.
Knees
should
be
slightly
lower
than
hips.
Use
your
chair's
armrests.
- Avoid
tucking
the
phone
between
your
ear
and
shoulder
when
you
talk.
If
you
use
the
phone
a
lot,
get
a
headset.
- Stretch
frequently
if
you
work
at
a
desk.
Shrug
your
shoulders
up
and
down.
Pull
your
shoulder
blades
together
and
then
relax.
Pull
your
shoulders
down
while
leaning
your
head
to
each
side
to
stretch
your
neck
muscles.
- Balance
your
base.
Stretching
the
front
chest
wall
muscles
and
strengthening
the
muscles
around
the
shoulder
blade
and
back
of
the
shoulder
can
promote
a
balanced
base
of
support
for
the
neck.
- Avoid
sleeping
on
your
stomach.
This
position
puts
stress
on
your
neck.
Choose
a
pillow
that
supports
the
natural
curve
of
your
neck.
For
more
information,
visit
MayoClinic.com.
Below
is
a
few
shoulder
and
neck
stretch
instructions:
I
travel
a
lot.
How
to
reduce
my
shoulder
and
neck
pain?
If you have ever fallen asleep
during
a
car
trip,
an
airplane
flight,
or
a
train
ride,
you
know
how
painfully
stiff
your
neck
and
shoulders
can
be
afterwards.
And
while
other
pillows
do
offer
a
little
bit
of
comfort,
they
still
leave
you
sore
when
you
wake
up.
When
you
fall
asleep
sitting
up,
your
head
has
a
tendency
to
lean
to
one
side,
leaving
your
neck
and
shoulder
muscles
sore
and
stiff
when
you
wake
up.
Stiffness
in
these
areas
can
cause
headaches
and
make
it
difficult
to
get
comfortable
later.
The
Sunshine
Pillow
provides
luxurious
support
for
your
head
and
neck
to
prevent
you
from
developing
pain
and
stiffness
in
your
shoulders
and
neck,
allowing
you
to
comfortably
arrive
at
your
destination.
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