Neck pain is a very common affliction. More than 2/3 of adults in the US report at least one incidence of neck pain in their lives. It is very easy to strain your neck. You can do this at work, during exercise, even when turning over in bed.
Such a common ailment even has its own little phrase. You may have heard someone referring to their boss or their neighbor as a "pain in the neck." That's because the experience is miserable and common!
How do you manage neck pain? There are many different ways to treat this unpleasant condition. Home remedies are effective in many cases. There are also treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture, and physical therapy.
There are over the counter and prescription medications to help with both pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is great for pain relief, and if you need something for both pain and inflammation then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are a great option. If you have a displaced cervical disk, though, you likely may need surgery.
The best treatment for each person will depend on all kinds of different factors, including pain intensity and duration.
In the event that pain came on from an accident or injury, the usual treatment recommended by doctors is bed rest, cold treatment (ice pack) for pain relief, and a neck brace or collar. If you have chronic neck pain, rather than acute, then heat therapy and physical therapy is often used.
Physical therapy is a good choice that will involve addressing cause and prevention as well as remediating pain. The therapist will help with massage or stretching, exercise or electrical stimulation of muscles. But, even more importantly, the client is told about risk factors and preventative care.
Alternative therapies also work very well for some people who prefer not to take prescription drugs or go with traditional therapy. In one recent study from Europe, three treatment groups were compared. The group that received traditional Chinese acupuncture had better short- and long-term pain relief than did the groups receiving laser treatment or massage therapy.
No matter which treatment option you decide on, you need to find a trustworthy and certified professional. You need to ensure that you are going to be treated by someone who will do so correctly. Any therapy that is done wrong can cause further damage. Try all kinds of therapies as you decide what is best for your own case, and feel free to combine therapies as well if that works for you.
