How to get rid of a crick in your neck

Crick in the neck is one of the worst things a person might face after waking up. This is stiff neck and several people experience this problem in their life. The reasons behind a crick in the neck are strains or over exercise or a wrong posture of sleeping. But whatever be the reason behind the neck crick the pain can be really unbearable.

There are several methods to get rid of a crick in the neck some of which can be done at home while some needs medical assistance.

Home remedies to treat crick in the neck

The treatments that can be done at home are as follows

1. Use of pain relievers over the counter:

There are a variety of medications that are available to get an instant relief from neck pain. These can be in the form of medicines which has compositions of ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin as their main ingredients. These are medicines that treat inflammations and effectively reduce the swelling parts. There are certain barriers to taking these medicines for people who are already under medical prescriptions. It is recommended that they consult a medical practitioner before they start using these medicines because in certain instances these can interact in a negative manner with the on-going drugs. People under certain medical conditions and allergic to these ingredients must not consume these pain relievers.

2. Application and cold packs of warm

Crick in the neck can be reduced with the application of warm and cold packs applied alternatively. Applying only one of these packs will help but to get the most effective results one needs to apply them alternatively. The first step is to apply the cold pack for a maximum stretch of 20 minutes. This pack helps in reducing inflammation thus must be applied first. One can use an ice pack or simply ice wrapped in a cloth as ice should never be applied directly to the affected area. Then one must apply the hot pack or a hot shower will also work. The temperature must not be very high. This pack must be kept on the neck for 15 minutes at the most. The sore muscles feel relieved when the hot pack is used but if this pack is used too often then it has an adverse effect on the crick of the neck. The neck must be left free and no treatment must be applied for at least half an hour between every treatment. In this period of time, the neck stabilizes its original form

3. Taking proper rest

One who is suffering from crick neck must lie down and take rest for as much time as possible. The neck has to hold the head and thus lying down will help it to relax. One should remember to keep the neck straight while resting thus must lie down on the back to avoid twisting the neck. The physical activities should be reduced and the heavy activities must be completely avoided for at least a week or two. However, too much rest must be avoided as it might cause an adverse effect by weakening the neck muscles.

4. Supporting the neck

An individual with a crick in the neck must wear a scarf around the neck to offer it some support in a gentle manner. A neck pillow is also a great option for supporting the neck. The Support must not be too stiff as it can increase the problem.

Massaging the crick area of the neck

Massage can be a great solution for the crick pain. Any person suffering from crick neck pain must massage the neck carefully. The back of the neck where the crick has occurred must be rubbed with the fingers in a gentle manner. This massage can last for about 3 minutes. The pressure applied during the message must be very mild and even if that too hurts then one must stop immediately. It’s better to take help from a friend or family member for the massage as bending the arms back might cause extra pain.

Medications to treat crick on the neck

If the crick in the neck causes severe pain then an individual must surely visit a medical practitioner. Seeking medical help at the proper time is important so that the condition does not worsen further.

1. Chiropractic medical treatment

There are medical practitioners who are specialized in the chiropractic treatment and thus can apply the techniques of this treatment to solve the problem. The treatment involves the application of light force to the affected joint with the intention to bring it back into its original place.

• The techniques used in this treatment can successfully remove the cause of the neck crick.
• This is a safe way of dealing with the crick and is also one of the most effective treatments.
• Some doctors include massage and therapy in this treatment practice.

2. Physical therapy

The medical practitioners often prescribe some gentle neck exercises for neck crick with offer instant relief. The physicians also prescribe tractions at times as a part of treatment. The physical therapy provides strength to the muscles and also prevents the occurrence of cricks in the future.

• The therapists concentrate on long-term recovery and prevention of the cricks in the neck thus they insist on performing neck exercises and also specific stretches that is effective on crick neck.
• The treatment through these exercises are initially carried out at the therapist’s office but gradually with time can be performed at home itself.
• The traction involves therapy using weights and pulleys in such a way that it neck stretches. This therapy must always be performed under the supervision of a certified professional.

3. Neck Collars

The neck collars are prescribed by medical practitioners and they provide support to the neck and in turn, reduce the pressure on the muscles around the neck. The pain due to crick neck can be solved or at least reduced with the help of neck collar.

These neck collars must be put on for a maximum of two weeks post which the collars tend to weaken the neck muscles and have adverse effects.

Ways in which an acupuncture practitioner solves a case of a crick in the neck

The person suffering from a crick in the neck can visit an acupuncture practitioner but must make sure that the practitioner has proper certifications required for performing this treatment. The practitioner relieves the pain by using sterile needles which they insert at all the pressure points present in the body. Several researchers and studies have been conducted on this treatment to discover the effect it causes to the human body and the extent to which this treatment is successful. Though the opinion about the treatment is a mixture of positive effects and no effects still one can go for this therapy in case they experience neck cricks in a chronicle manner.

Exercises that can reduce the pain caused due to a crick in the neck

A person who is experiencing a crick in the neck must avoid physical activities or exercises as it may lead to further injuries or increase in pain. However, there are few gentle exercises which have a positive impact on the crick and helps in reducing a mild form of the neck pain. Some of these exercises are as follows

1. The exercise of the chin nod

• The first step is to lie down and place a pillow under the knee and head bent.
• Then the head needs to be moved closer to the chest in a smooth and slow motion. The nodding should be done gently. This should be continued until the muscles feel hard.
• One should stay in that position for few seconds and then again relax.
• This simple process needs to be repeated as per the requirement.

2. The exercise of retraction and protraction

• The initial step of this exercise is to sit in a relaxed form in a chair with the back in a straight posture and the shoulders held down.
• Then the head has to be moved in a horizontal manner in retract and protract manner but maintaining the gaze levelly.
• The motion must be slow and gentle.
• The other parts of the body must be kept still while performing the exercise.
• The exercise should be repeated as necessary.

3. Extension

The person performing this exercise needs to stand straight or sit in a chair with the back straight and the shoulder must be down in a relaxing posture.

• The next step that follows is moving the head in the same way as in case of chin nod exercise and let the chin touch the chest but even if the chin does not reach the chest there is no problem.
• The motion must be smooth and slow
• The head then needs to be tilted back to as much extent as possible
• These steps must be repeated as per requirement.
• The person who is performing this exercise must make sure that he or she feels a stretch in the muscles of the neck while doing this exercise.

The crick in the neck can be a minor issue and a mild one but in some cases it is severe. People experience sharp pain. The home treatments mentioned above can do wonders when the crick is mild in nature but in case of chronic pain, one must opt for medical treatment in a professional way.

The post How to get rid of a crick in your neck appeared first on Fitnistics.com.