5 Tips for Easing a Stiff Neck



A stiff neck is not a serious medical condition but it can disturb your daily activities. Many people experience it at least once in their lifetime. A stiff neck is painful and creates difficulties while moving your head. It is characterized by soreness and difficulty in moving the neck. It may be accompanied by a headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, and arm pain.
Try these simple remedies to gain relief:

1.     Use Cold Therapy
Applying cold packs to your neck can relieve the pain by limiting the build-up of lactic acid. Ice can numb the pain and also reduce inflammation.
2.     Use heat therapy
If you do not get relief within 48 hours after using the cold compress, try heat therapy.
Heat therapy is a very useful method as it relaxes the tightened muscles and increases the blood flow, leading to a decrease in the stiffness of the neck. A hot water shower is also good for this ailment.
3.     Daily Massage
A massage is another way to relax your neck muscles and get rid of the pain. You can use essential oils like rosemary, lavender, pine, or juniper for massaging the affected area. The massage provides warmth to the neck muscle and also increases the flow of blood. Hold your neck with your thumb on one side and fingers on the other and gently massage the affected area. Gentle massaging helps in relaxing the muscles and reduces the stiffness.
4.     Regular Exercise
The benefits of regular exercise are hard to ignore. Neck exercise can help you a lot. You can practice tension-releasing exercises to get relief from a stiff neck. Isometric neck exercises can be performed without moving the neck.
5.     Practice relaxation and breathing techniques
Emotional stress can cause muscle tension. You can manage the stress through relaxation and breathing techniques like progressive relaxation, abdominal breathing, meditation, yoga etc. Engage yourself in one of these activities to reduce your stress levels. These routines will help you calm down and will relax your nerves and muscles.

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