The most commonly used pharmacy remedies to treat neck stiffness are analgesics, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants that can be taken in tablets or applied directly to the site of pain using ointments, creams, gels or plasters.
Torticollis consists of an involuntary contraction of the neck muscles, which can be caused by poor posture when sleeping or sitting at work, for example, which results in pain on the side of the neck and difficulty moving the head. Find out more about the symptoms of torticollis and what home exercises can help.
The most used remedies to treat stiff neck, which should only be used if indicated by the doctor are:
1. Gel, creams or ointments
These products can be used to treat pain and inflammation, as they contain diclofenac, etophenamate, methyl salicylate or picetoprofen, but also to provide instant relief due to the presence of camphor or menthol, for example.
Examples of products with these components are Cataflam, Calminex, Voltaren or Gelol, for example, which can be found in pharmacies.
2. plasters
The plasters are adhesives that are placed at the location of the stiff neck and that can also contain in its composition painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, which are released throughout the day. Examples of these products are Targus Lat or Salonpas plaster.
There are also plasters that release constant and prolonged heat, which help to relax the muscles and relieve pain, which are available in the brands BodiHeat or Dorflex, for example. See more about this product.
3. Pills
Ultimately, it may be necessary to take medications that contain pain relievers such as paracetamol or dipyrone, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, muscle relaxants, such as thiocolchicoside or carisoprodol, or even a combination between them.
Examples of remedies that may contain some of these components are Ana-Flex, Torsilax, Tandrilax, Coltrax or Mioflex, for example, which can only be purchased upon presentation of a prescription.
In addition to these medications, there are also natural options to deal with the discomfort caused by stiff neck such as massage, physiotherapy or exercises that can be done at home. Watch the following video and check out some tips that can end torticollis in a day:
There is also a type of torticollis, called congenital torticollis, which occurs right at birth, in the baby, and the treatment must be guided by a pediatrician, since it is different from a common torticollis and requires a more specific and prolonged treatment. Learn more about congenital torticollis in the baby.
