- 1. Put a compress of warm water on the neck
- 2. Massage your neck
- 3. Taking a painkiller or muscle relaxant
- 4. Stretch the neck
- When to go to the doctor
- How to relieve neck pain faster
To relieve pain in the neck, you can put a compress of warm water on the neck and massage in place using analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointments. However, in the event that the pain does not go away or is very severe, it is recommended to go to the doctor so that tests can be done and the most appropriate treatment can be started.
Neck pain can happen due to various everyday situations, such as poor posture, excessive stress or tiredness, for example, but it can also be indicative of more serious problems, such as herniated discs, osteomyelitis or infections, being important in these cases pay attention to the appearance of other symptoms and go to the doctor to make the diagnosis and start treatment. Know other causes of neck pain.
Some tips to relieve neck pain are:
1. Put a compress of warm water on the neck
By placing a compress of warm water on the site, there is an increase in local blood circulation, relaxing the neck muscles and relieving pain. To do this, just wet a towel, put it in a plastic bag with a zipper and take it to the microwave for about 3 minutes. Then, close the plastic bag and wrap with a dry towel and apply to the painful spot for about 20 minutes, being careful not to burn yourself.
To further relieve pain, essential analgesic oils, such as clove oil, lavender or peppermint oil, or a towel that is in contact with the skin, can be added to the water.
2. Massage your neck
The massage can also be done to relieve neck pain, having better effects when performed after the compress. The ideal is that the massage is done with analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointments, such as Voltaren, Calminex or Massageol, for example, as they help to relieve inflammation and pain, and are especially indicated to combat torticollis.
To do the massage, just wet your fingers with moisturizer or oil and press your fingertips against the painful regions, making circular movements for 2 minutes to promote the absorption of the ointment and relaxation of the muscles.
3. Taking a painkiller or muscle relaxant
When the pain is very intense, one option is to take anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to relieve pain and discomfort, such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. In addition, Coltrax can also be used to decrease neck pain, as it is a muscle relaxant, helping to decrease tension on the neck muscles. It is important that these remedies are used under the guidance of the doctor.
4. Stretch the neck
Stretching the neck also helps to relieve tension in the neck muscles. Stretching exercises can be done every day to increase strength and muscle endurance, preventing pain from recurring, even when it happens due to more serious conditions, such as arthritis and herniated discs, for example.
Check out some examples of exercises to stretch your neck in the video below:
When to go to the doctor
It is important to go to the hospital or see a doctor if the neck pain does not go away in 3 days, if it is very severe or if you have other symptoms, such as fever, vomiting or dizziness, as these symptoms can be suggestive of diseases such as meningitis or migraine, for example.
How to relieve neck pain faster
To decrease neck pain more quickly, it is recommended:
- Sleeping with a low and firm pillow; Avoid driving until the neck pain does not pass; Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as this position increases the pressure in the neck area; Avoid answering the phone between the ear and the shoulder; Avoid getting too much time sitting at the computer.
It is also important to maintain the correct posture to avoid straining the muscles in the neck and thus relieving pain and inflammation. Here are some exercises to improve posture.
