How to Use Heat to Treat Neck Pain

Neck pain that is caused by poor posture, chronic tension or stress may be helped with the use of heat. Heat is also useful for chronic problems, such as osteoarthritis. Heat can help reduce neck pain by improving circulation in the area, decreasing muscle spasms and relaxing muscle stiffness. Read on to learn how to use heat to treat neck pain.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Self-heating massage oil
• Heating pad
• Medicated bath salts

Use Heat to Relieve Neck Pain

1. Choose the type of heat application that works best for you. You can take hot showers or use a heating pad directly on the area.
2. Use moist heat to treat neck pain. You can wet a towel with hot water, and then recline on a bed or a sofa, applying the towel to the back of your neck and shoulders.
3. Apply heat and cold alternatively for a better response. If there is swelling on the area, use cold compresses until the swelling goes down and then switch to heat. Allow at least 48 hours for the swelling to completely disappear.
4. Take a hot bath. Add oils or salts to the water, choosing medicated ones that are especially created to reduce pain. You can find medicated salts at any pharmacy or local health food store.

Buy Heat-Producing Products to Relieve Neck Pain

5. Seek out products that produce heat on contact, such as certain oils or ointments created especially for massage or pain control. This can help alleviate the pain even faster.
6. Consider buying a heat pad that you can wrap around the shoulders and wear while you are working on the computer or watching TV.
7. Buy a battery-operated self-massager that provides heat. This is especially useful if you want to treat neck pain that extends to your shoulders and upper back, as the massager can provide relief over a large area.

Tips & Warnings

• The application of heat may produce an instant feeling of pain relief. If the pain worsens or you feel uncomfortable with the heat, stop the application completely and seek medical attention, as this may indicate a more serious problem.
• Do not overheat the pad before you apply it to the area. When you use a heating pad to treat neck pain, the application should feel hot but still comfortable.
• Avoid using heat on an area that is swollen or has been bleeding. Do not use heat if you have a cut or some kind of open wound on the skin.