To put it sweet and short, a stiff neck is no fun. It can make getting anything done a million times more difficult, not to mention it’s downright uncomfortable. It can ruin your mood, and ultimately your productivity. The good news is that a stiff neck can be easily resolved. Here are some solutions so that you don’t have to suffer your stiff neck forever.
See an Osteopath
Osteopaths are considered one of the best ways to get rid of a stiff neck, since they specialize in aligning the body if it’s been put out of whack. Making an appointment with an osteopath will not only ease your stiff neck, but you may discover that you have other spinal alignment issues that you weren’t even aware of. The great news is that osteopaths almost always leave you feeling better than before, and can reduce your overall stiffness and alleviate your pain.
Apply Hot or Cold
One of the first things you should do when you start feeling pain is apply heat. This will help ease up your stiff muscles, and relax tightness. Whereas the cold will reduce inflammation and numb your pain. Alternate between hot and cold therapy for increments of 10 to 15 minutes and not only will you feel instant relief, but the relief will continue to show its effects throughout the day.
Stretch Gently
Stretching gently will help you relieve tension in your neck. You want to avoid sudden movements when stretching, as this can exacerbate the problem. A slow and gentle stretch is the best way to relax and ease your discomfort. Try a few different stretches and see which one provides the most relief.
For some people it may be slowly tilting your head from shoulder to shoulder, while for other people chin tucks may be effective. It all depends on where the stiffness in your neck is located.
Improve Your Posture
Likely the reason for your stiff neck is a result of poor posture. Try to get into the habit of sitting up correctly as this will reduce your chances of the pain getting worse, and also alleviate your discomfort. There are multiple times throughout the day which you could probably do with improving the way you sit or stand. For example, when you’re looking at your phone, are you holding your head correctly?
How about when you’re working on your computer? Are you maintaining proper alignment or are you slouching? Try to check yourself throughout the day and ensure that you’re sitting properly and this will not only help correct your current pain, but also avoid further stiff neck issues coming up again in the future.
