Home remedies for neck pain

Home remedies for neck pain

What is neck pain?

Neck pain is the result of strain on the neck muscles, bones, discs between bones, or nerves. The neck muscles are strained due to incorrect posture when sitting, working at a computer or at a workbench.

Certain medical conditions predispose a person to neck pain. Certain physical activities or accidents can also cause neck pain. Neck pain generally does not mean a harmful condition. However, you need to see a doctor if neck pain leads to numbness in your hands or stabbing pain in your arms.

Causes of neck pain

There are several causes of neck pain. Some of them are as follows:

Muscle Strain: As mentioned above, most people suffer from stiffness and neck pain when working on computers for long hours. Sitting in an incorrect posture while reading, watching TV or working for long periods is the most common cause of neck pain. The neck muscles can twist during exercise or sudden movements. These muscles can also become strained when sleeping in the wrong position.

Arthritis: Spondylosis or cervical arthritis causes stiffness and pain in the neck. Spondylosis results from wear and tear on the spine. There are signs of wear and tear in the joints of the spine and the discs between the cervical vertebrae. Wear increases with age; It is common in people who actively participate in sports.

Sprains and Fractures: Neck pain can result from a neck sprain. Sudden movements that affect the neck can cause pain. Neck pain is also the result of injuries and accidents such as vascular injuries, paralysis, whiplash and vertebral fractures. Osteoporosis also causes fractures in the neck. When the discs between the cervical vertebrae are ruptured, a person experiences neck pain due to excessive pressure on the nerves of the spine.

Fibromyalgia: Patients with fibromyalgia are plagued by, among other things, pain in their muscles, joints and tendons. Neck pain is one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Spinal stenosis:When the spinal canal narrows, there is pain in the neck. Infections of the spine (e.g. discitis, osteomyelitis) also lead to neck pain.

Cancer: When the spine is affected by cancer, a person develops neck pain.

Other conditions that predispose a person to neck pain include meningitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Home remedies for neck pain

Cold or hot packs:If you have mild neck pain, you can apply a cold pack for the first 48 to 72 hours. After the cold treatment, pain treatment can be continued with warm packs or hot showers.

Medications for pain relief:Medications such as acetaminophen can be used to reduce inflammation in the neck. Painkillers, especially those like ibuprofen, should not be used excessively as they can lead to stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Exercises: Turning your head to the side or up and down or gently rotating helps train the neck muscles

Weights:A doctor or physical therapist may use weights to stretch the neck muscles and immobilize them. This results in immediate pain relief. This method is also called traction.

Traditional Chinese Medicine:Patients often use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as an alternative to conventional therapy. Patients can take ginseng, vitamins, and even see a chiropractor to relieve neck pain symptoms. Alternative therapy is a preferred option due to lower cost and fewer side effects. During chiropractic treatments, the range of motion of the affected joint is examined. It is important to note that chiropractic neck manipulations are feared to increase an individual's risk of stroke (likely due to damage to blood vessels). However, studies linking them to stroke are inconclusive.

Acupuncture is a common form of treatment for neck pain. The method is based on inserting needles into specific pressure points to restore the body's energy levels. Although many people experience a difference in pain, this is still not scientifically proven. The difference observed in patients could be a placebo effect. Another alternative complementary therapy is Gua Sha therapy, which has been shown to be effective in relieving neck pain. Further clinical research data is needed to confirm this result. Patients who underwent Gua Sha treatment experienced a reduction in neck pain after just one session.

Massage therapy: A gentle massage soothes the neck muscles. Massage therapy has been shown through scientific research studies to have a moderate effect on providing immediate relief from neck pain.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation:The person is treated with small, short electrical pulses to relieve neck pain. Electrodes are placed near the area of ​​pain.

Consult a doctor:If a person wishes to use a collar to relieve pain, a doctor should be consulted. Long-term use of a neck collar can cause neck muscles to weaken. If the person has a fever and the neck is stiff with pain, a doctor must be consulted. If the person cannot bend the neck due to fever, the doctor will examine the person for possible meningitis.

Take a break:If pain occurs, the person should take a break from any physical activity until the neck pain subsides.

Corticosteroid injections:Doctors may inject steroids into the muscles, bones, or nerve roots to relieve pain.

Surgery:Neck pain does not require surgical intervention unless pressure is placed on the nerves of the spine.

.