Home Remedies For Neck Pain

Neck pain is a common complaint. Neck muscles can be strained from poor posture — whether it's leaning over your computer or hunching over your workbench. Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain.

Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem. Seek medical care if your neck pain is accompanied by numbness or loss of strength in your arms or hands or if you have shooting pain into your shoulder or down your arm.

Symptoms

Pain that's often worsened by holding your head in one place for long periods, such as when driving or working at a computer
Muscle tightness and spasms
Decreased ability to move your head
Headache

Causes

Your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head, so it can be vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include:

Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over your computer or smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed or gritting your teeth, can strain neck muscles.
Worn joints. Just like the other joints in your body, your neck joints tend to wear down with age. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones (vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain.
Nerve compression. Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord.
Injuries. Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury, which occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.
Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.

Remedies for Neck Pain

1. Ice Pack

Ice is one of the simplest remedies for neck pain. The cold temperature will help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. A bag of frozen peas also works well.

Put some crushed ice cubes in a plastic bag.
Wrap the plastic bag in a thin towel.
Put the ice pack on your neck for not more than 15 minutes at a time.
Follow this remedy every two to three hours for the first 24 hours.

Note: Never apply ice directly on your skin.

2. Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is another very effective home remedy for neck pain. It can easily be done at home in the shower. The force of the water on the affected body part will help reduce pain as well as soreness.

Target the neck area with warm water for three to four minutes in the shower.
Switch to cold water and target the neck for 30 to 60 seconds.
Repeat as many times as necessary.

While the hot water will increase blood circulation and ease off stiff muscles, cold water will help reduce inflammation.

Note: While you are in the shower, make sure to keep your neck straight, and do not turn your neck in any direction.

3. Epsom Salt Bath

An Epsom salt bath can help relieve muscle tension, reduce stress and give you instant pain relief. The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt works as a natural muscle relaxant that helps reduce swelling and pain.

Add one to two cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath.
Soak your body, especially the neck area, in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
Do this daily until your neck pain is healed completely.

Note: Avoid this remedy if you have heart problems, high blood pressure or diabetes.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can relieve neck pain quickly. Plus, it has a number of important nutrients to eliminate the possibility of nutrient-deficiency related pain.

Soak a paper towel in apple cider vinegar. Place it over the affected part of your neck. Leave it on for a couple of hours. Repeat twice daily until the pain is gone.
Alternatively, add two cups of apple cider vinegar to lukewarm bath water. Soak in it for at least 15 minutes. Do this once daily until you recover completely.

5. Neck Exercises

There are a wide range of motion exercises that help reduce neck pain. Exercise will strengthen and stabilize your neck muscles as well as your upper back. Also, it will help to reduce stress.

Two types of neck exercises in particular can help ease and prevent neck pain. Apply moist heat to the neck before performing the exercises.

Slowly rotate your neck in a circular motion, clockwise as well as anti-clockwise, to help stretch out the agitated muscles. This may cause a little pain in the beginning, but it will ultimately help your neck loosen up and heal.
You can also move your neck slowly back and forth as well as from side to side.

Each exercise should be done five times per session, three sessions per day. If it hurts too much, don’t do the exercises and consult your doctor.

6. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil can be used to relieve neck pain. It is very effective when used along with massage therapy. Massage can help ease tense muscles and may help you sleep better.

Take a hot bath or shower to relax your sore neck muscles.
Rub some lavender oil on your neck and shoulders.
Apply gentle pressure in small circular motions to massage the affected area for 10 minutes.
Repeat daily as needed.

You can even dilute lavender oil with coconut oil or olive oil.

Note: Don’t massage the neck area if it causes pain.

REMEMBER

Most neck pain improves gradually with home treatment. If not, see your doctor.

Seek immediate care if severe neck pain results from an injury, such as a motor vehicle accident, diving accident or fall.

Contact a doctor if your neck pain: