When you have neck pain from a sports injury or long hours at work, there are a few simple ways to ease your discomfort. While they won't treat significant underlying injuries, they're perfect for getting rid of muscle tension and soreness. They also give your body's natural healing abilities time to work. Below are a few methods to try out while relaxing at home.

How to Relieve Neck Pain

1. Stretch & Massage the Area

If your neck pain is all or partly due to muscle tension, encouraging the muscles to relax will make you more comfortable. When you're stretching, don't move too quickly, as you can strain the muscles. Instead, make slow, steady movements as you tilt your head to one side and then the other. Allow your head to relax forward until your chin rests on your chest, and make slow circles with your neck. You can also rub your neck, focusing on any sore spots or knots.

2. Heat & Ice

Swelling sometimes makes neck pain worse. You can ease swelling by applying a warm compress or heating pad to the area for about 15 to 30 minutes at a time. Ice can also reduce swelling and numb the area. Just wrap an ice pack or a few ice cubes in a hand towel before applying them to the sore spots for 20 minutes at a time.

3. Take a Break

Stress often causes muscle tension, and the neck is one of the most common areas affected. Taking time to step away from your work, relax, and let go of stress can help you relax physically too. Try meditation or a quiet activity like reading, and see if your neck pain gets better.

If these methods don't provide neck pain relief, visit a chiropractor at The Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center of Cincinnati. Serving Hamilton County, OH, since 1988, Dr. Korchok and his staff take a whole-body approach to health while serving patients of all ages. For an appointment, call (513) 677-2200 or visit the website to learn more about their process.