How to Treat A Minor Stiff Neck

Most causes of neck pain are due to muscle strain. At one time or another almost everyone has woken up in the morning with a stiff neck. If this has happened to you then you know exactly how painful it can be especially if you can't even turn your head.

Things You'll Need

• anti-inflammatory over the counter medication
• muscle rub
• ice pack
• stretching exercise

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Instructions

• 1

  A simple technique to loosen those stiff neck muscles is to squeeze your shoulders up towards your ears and hold for about 10 seconds. Then completely relax and drop your shoulders back down. Do this shoulder shrug about 10 to 15 times and you should feel better.

• 2

  You can massage your neck muscles by rubbing your hands together quickly so that they feel warm. Then massage the area of your neck that is stiff and tight and sore. Your warm hands will help stimulate the blood flow and help loosen the stiff muscles.

• 3

  Stress is a major cause of neck pain. If you sit at a desk all day you will be likely to get a stiff neck so you should roll your head from side to side periodically to keep your muscles from getting tight.

  If you go to bed at night tense and stressed it's very likely that you will wake up in the morning with a stiff neck. Try to do some relaxation techniques or meditation before going to bed at night.

• 4

  Suffering from a minor stiff neck can sometimes be cured as easily as taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication or rubbing your stiff neck muscles with a muscle rub.

• 5

  Relieving a stiff neck can also be treated by alternating heat and ice. Take a hot shower and then put an ice pack on your neck muscles that are stiff and sore. Repeat the ice pack as often as 20 minutes on, an hour off and then repeat the ice again.

• 6

  A lingering stiff neck could be the cause of something more serious so you might want to consider a visit to the chiropractor if your own home remedies don't work.