Anti-inflammatory medications like these reduce the swelling and ultimately relieve the pain. Before taking an over-the-counter medication, make sure that you are not on any prescription medications that could interact negatively with the drug. Moreover, you should also make sure that you do not have any medical conditions that prevent you from taking one or all of these drugs. For instance, someone with an ulcer should avoid taking aspirin. Note that over-the-counter medications only provide temporary relief. Do not let the immediate lack of pain lull you into a false sense of security, since you can still worsen the strain by overworking it.
Begin by applying an ice pack for 7 to 20 minutes. The cold reduces inflammation, and it must be applied first. A bag of frozen vegetables or ice wrapped in a towel will work, too, but you should never apply ice directly to the skin. Take a warm shower, use a hot water bottle, or use a heating pad, set to low, on the back of your neck. Apply heat in 10- to 15-minute segments or less. Heat soothes sore muscles, but it can make inflammation worse if applied too often. Give your neck a break from both. You can alternate between cold and warmth throughout the day as necessary, but you should give the muscles in your neck 30 minutes or more in between treatments so that your neck has a chance to stabilize itself.
Do not lie on your stomach, since you will need to twist your neck when you do so. Your neck should be straight as you lie down. If the crick is not severe enough to warrant lying down, you should still reduce your activity for a few days. Do not do any heavy lifting or twisting for the first 2 or 3 weeks at minimum. Avoid jogging, football, golf, ballet, weightlifting, or other strenuous exercise. [4] X Research source Do not rest too much, however. If you do nothing but lie around all day, the muscles in your neck will become weak. As a result, when you are forced to resume your usual activities, you are more likely to hurt your neck again. Alternate periods of rest with periods of non-strenuous activity during the day.
Usually, stiff support is not necessary. If you are unaccustomed to it, stiff support may actually aggravate the problem or cause you to experience pain in other areas of your body, like your back. Soft support is often sufficient.
Focus on stretching your neck to the side and to the front, but avoid bending it too far back, since this often aggravates a crick in the neck. Only stretch as far as the pain will allow. Do not try to “push” your way past the pain and do not perform these exercises too quickly.
Do not apply firm pressure and stop immediately if mild pressure makes your neck hurt more. If you are unable to bend your arms back due to the pain, ask a friend or family member to gently rub the area for you.
This treatment is more long-term than short-term, since good posture is essential to preventing neck cricks from coming back. Lie down on your back or side as you sleep. Do not sleep on your stomach, since doing so twists your neck in awkward positions. Make sure that your pillows are not so high that they cause you to bend your neck, but also make sure that they are not so low that they offer no support. Avoid sitting too long with your head bent down or leaning forward. Take breaks throughout the day to stretch and move around.
Chiropractic treatment to the neck is a safe and effective way to remove the cause of the crick in the neck, and can also be used to fix the cause of a pinched nerve. Most chiropractors also incorporate physical therapy and massage into their practice.
Muscle relaxants reduce the strain and discomfort caused by overworked neck muscles. Some antidepressants increase neurotransmitters in the spinal cord, thereby reducing pain signals sent to the brain. [10] X Research source
A physical therapist can lead you in performing specific neck exercises and stretches that can aid in your long-term recovery. The therapist will likely ask that you perform the treatments at his or her office initially, but most of these can eventually be done at home. Traction is a specific type of therapy that relies on a system of weights and pulleys to stretch your neck out. It is always done under professional supervision, and it works best when the crick is linked to nerve root irritation. [12] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
You should wear such a collar for no longer than two weeks, though, since wearing it past this time can actually cause the muscles in your neck to weaken.
This is an especially helpful treatment for cricks in the neck caused by arthritis. Similarly, the doctor may inject a numbing medication like lidocaine into the neck.
Most cricks in the neck are not caused by such serious matters, however, so surgical treatments are not often used.
Studies are mixed about the effectiveness of this treatment for cricks in the neck, but the therapy may be worth looking into if you experience such cricks chronically.
A professional massage is worth looking into if the crick in your neck feels mildly better when you rub it gently.
Always check with your doctor or healthcare professional before trying this device. [19] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source There is emerging clinical evidence to show that TENS can be helpful–with the correct frequency and intensity–to a variety of pain conditions. [20] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Though personal TENS units are available for purchase, it’s recommended that for most effective results, you receive treatment from a doctor. [21] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
