Neck pain can be debilitating. Severe neck pain can restrict your movement and ability to perform even simple tasks. Severe neck pain can be caused by something as simple as sleeping on the wrong pillow or in the wrong position. You may injure your neck in a car accident or some other trauma that twists the neck. Poor posture when sitting, reading, working and sleeping can strain the muscles in the neck causing severe or chronic pain. There may be no obvious cause for your neck pain.

Getting severe neck pain relief starts with prevention.  Learn correct posture when sitting, standing, lying or working. Don’t fall asleep sitting up, which allows your head to hang on your neck. The head weighs 8lbs. That is a lot of stress to be putting on the cervical spine and muscles of the neck. Properly support the head, neck and back when sitting or lying. Do exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the neck and shoulders. This will reduce the incidents of trauma to the neck when participating in sports or other activities.

The acute or sudden onset of sever neck pain is usually caused by some type of trauma. It may require the use of a cervical collar to support the head and relieve some of the stress to the neck.  You may need bed rest for 24-72 hours and need to apply ice to the area to reduce swelling. Depending on the severity of the injury and pain, you may need to seek medical help to get severe neck pain relief. A doctor can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce muscle inflammation and pain medication.

There are several things that you can do to get severe neck pain relief at home. First aid to the injured area involves the use of an ice pack for 10-15 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours. This will reduce pain, limit swelling and speed healing. There are anti-inflammatory and pain medications available without a prescription. Take the medication according to package directions and don’t exceed the recommended dose. If the recommended dose doesn’t provide any relief contact your doctor. Overdosing on over the counter medication can cause liver and kidney damage or failure. Change your position frequently. Use a small pillow or rolled towel to help support your head and neck when sitting and lying. Don’t stay in a position that increases your pain. Practice relaxation techniques such as listening to soft music and breathing exercises. The following stretches should be performed for severe neck pain relief.

  1. Side Stretches can be performed in a sitting or standing position. Keep your shoulders back and down. Looking straight ahead, slowly tilt the head bringing your ear towards your shoulder. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Do not force the movement, stop if the pain increases.
  2. Chin Tuck is also performed in a sitting or standing position. Press shoulder blades down and together. Keep head level, looking straight ahead and pull your chin back so that it is even with your hips. Hold 5-10 seconds and repeat 5-10 times.
  3. Head Turns. Sit or stand with correct posture, shoulders down and back. Chin should be level with floor. Slowly turn head to right and hold. Repeat on left.

Filed under: Neck Pain Relief

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