How to Ease Neck Aches and Pains

No matter why you are suffering from neck pain, whither it be whiplash, an accident, sleeping wrong, etc. you know how uncomfortable and nagging the persistent pain can be. Luckily there are some things you can do to alleviate the pain and get back to your regular routine.

Instructions

1. 

   CHECK YOUR PILLOW -

   If you sleep right all night with your neck properly aligned you are less likely to wake up with neck pain or cramps. There are many different pillows, but here are the right choices for the way you sleep.
   Choose a pillow that is soft and thin if you sleep on your stomach
   Go with medium firm if you sleep on your back
   Choose a very firm pillow if you are a side sleeper.

2. 

   TAKE A BREAK -

   When you have your neck in the same position for an extended amount of time working on your computer, reading, etc. it commonly causes neck pain. To help avoid this take five minute breaks every 30 minutes to move your neck around.

3. 

   CHECK YOUR BAG -

   Check your purse, pocketbook, or other bags,and see what you are carrying around, this can be the cause of your neck pain. Oversize bags are a big reason for unnecessary neck pain. Choose smaller bags and only carry the necessary items you actually use. Try keeping the weight under 3 pounds.

4. 

   USE HEAT -

   When you have a cramp or any ache or pain in your neck,use a heated pad on the area. Just relax with the heat pad on the area for awhile without moving the pad. When you leave it on the area for an extended amount of time it gives you better pain relief.

5. 

   USE CREAM -

   Rub a cream that contains at least 0.25% capsaicin. This will help block pain better then other creams. This cream actually contains the same ingredient found in chili peppers and is found very helpful i relieving pain.

Tips & Warnings

• To help protect you from getting whiplash due to a car accident, make sure you adjust your headrest. The top should be as high as the top of your ears and the seat should be upright so the headrest is closest to your head.