There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning, lifting your arms for a nice stretch, and then wham! Massive neck pain. It can be a dull ache or it can be so sore that you can’t turn your head. Sometimes neck pain can even evolve into a monstrous headache. Whatever the case, it’s difficult to go about your day with a, literal, pain in your neck. Here are some common causes of neck pain you might not have heard of – and a few quick ways to relieve it.
3 Causes of Neck Pain No One Talks About
Muscle strains.
Muscle strains are not necessarily caused by working out too hard or lifting something heavy. They can also be caused by too many hours slumped and hunched over your work computer. Even small things, like reading in bed or clenching your teeth, can cause a muscle strain in your neck, which then causes the pain you’re feeling.
Disease.
Believe it or not, there are some diseases that are the culprit behind neck pain. Rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and meningitis have all been known to cause aches in the neck. Be sure to visit a doctor if you have any other symptoms to ensure you get a proper diagnosis.
Stress.
Stress is bad for business, especially when it comes to your health. If you become too stressed out, your muscles can tighten, leading to tension, pains, and even headaches. In fact, tension headaches are generally caused by, you guessed it, tightness and pain in your neck.
Need to find relief from neck pain? Here are a few remedies to try at home.
Until you can visit a doctor to find the true cause behind your neck pain, here are few ways you can find natural relief at home.
Apply heat.
Heat is great for relaxing tense muscles because it reaches deep into the muscle and increases circulation. The increased circulation can relieve stiff muscles and joints in your neck. Try applying heat to the back of your neck for at least 20 minutes at a time and opt for a moist heat pad since it holds heat for longer periods of time. If you don’t have a moist heat pad, use a wet towel or take a hot shower.
Then apply ice.
Following heat, apply ice to your aching neck for 15 minutes at a time. The cold will effectively numb neck pain and help decrease inflammation.
Relaaax.
If you’re stressed, it can trigger intense muscle tension, which causes aches and pains. Pay close attention to the things that stress you out and identify these common stressors. Then find ways to reduce your stress to keep muscle tension at bay.
For more at home remedies to relieve that ache in your neck, check out this post.
As always, if you have pain, consult a doctor.
If you have chronic neck pain, it’s important that you discuss physical therapy with your doctor. While therapy is an excellent alternative to pain medication and has been proven to help speed up healing, you should always be under the guidance of a licensed and certified therapist.
At Desert Hand and Physical Therapy, we have certified physical therapists on staff who could assess your physical condition and create a plan of healing just for you. If you are interested in healing faster, and more effectively, make an appointment with us today!
