If you’ve ever suffered from it, you’ll know that neck pain is, well, a pain in the neck. Apart from being uncomfortable, annoying and sore, it could be bad for your overall health and even your state of mind; however, help is at hand.
Here, we outline the major causes of neck pain, offer you some simple natural remedies to soothe it in the short term and then give you some brilliant sleeping tips to prevent it in the future.
What causes neck pain?
Believe it or not, something as problematic as neck pain can be caused by something as simple as the way you’re sleeping. Sleeping in an unsupportive position can lead to what people commonly refer to as “sleeping on your neck wrong”.
This is generally caused by wear and how you place your pillow when you’re sleeping. Another common cause is people using too many pillows or pillows that are too hard to sufficiently support your head.
Some tips to soothe neck pain
Get some rest
Getting quality, uninterrupted rest is a great remedy for a variety of common ailments including neck pain. Just make sure you follow the preventative measure outlined below before you get your well-needed rest.
Relieve stress
Stress is another common cause of neck pain. Try your best to switch off from any potential cause of stress. Put your phone away. Grab a good book. Maybe even take a long bath with some bath salts, balms or ointments – just ensure to properly support your neck and head while in the tub.
Ice
Ice packs are cheap, simple and extremely effective at relieving neck pain. If you don’t have one, simply put some ice cubes into a kitchen towel and apply it to the affected area for 10-15 minutes. However, if your neck pain worsens, remove the ice immediately.
Get a massage
If the problem is bad enough it will be worth it to spend a little money getting a comforting massage. Be sure to go to a professional who knows exactly what they are doing and not a spouse who might just be trying to help.
Stretch it out
Simple, slow stretching exercises can offer some relief to neck pain by relieving the stiffness associated with it. Look online for a good neck pain exercise program, which should consist of a combination of exercises for both stretching and strengthening, some aerobic conditioning and even some trigger point exercises.
How to prevent getting neck pain
Sort out your sleeping position
Simply put, sleeping on your side or back is the best way to avoid strain as they help keep your head in the right position. While you might be a fan, sleeping on your stomach elevates your head and neck into an unnatural position during the night.
Stay hydrated
Water nourishes and hydrates the discs that lie between the vertebrae in your neck, keeping them pliable and strong. It is recommended that adults drink at least 8 large glasses of water a day and this is more important than ever if you are trying to prevent neck pain.
Support yourself
One of the best ways to prevent pain is to ensure you’re properly supported while sleeping. Finding a suitable pillow or bed to support your body will prevent any muscle strain while you sleep.
Adjusting your bed to suit your needs not only adds a level of support to prevent neck strain but also improves circulation – helping you to get the good night’s sleep you deserve.
We’re here to help
Not all neck pain persists and not all of it is cause for serious alarm. However, like a leaking tap, it will rarely just fix itself. There are several natural remedies for soothing neck strain; however, it can be easily avoided with the proper preventative steps.
As we spend a third of our lives sleeping, providing the correct support for our bodies is essential. With the right sleep support, we are able to stay more active and independent during our waking hours by avoiding any disruptive aches and pains.
If you have any questions about getting rid of that pain in your neck or want to learn more about how an electric adjustable bed can suit your sleep needs, contact our experts at Adjustable Beds Specialists or visit adjustablebedspecialists.ie.