6 Effective Home Remedies for a Crick in The Neck
Crick in the neck is something most people have dealt with at some point in their lives, and though the term crick in the neck is not a real medical condition, the neck pain associated with sleeping the wrong way is just too real. The term crick in the neck means a variety of things for different people. For a majority of people, however, the crick in the neck is something they get after a long night of awkward head positioning while sleeping. A crick in the neck is a sudden and intense pain also called muscular rheumatism or facet syndrome. Most physicians believe that a crick syndrome is a form of muscle spasm. Other reasons for a crick in the neck also include myofascial pain syndrome, arthritis, disk-related pains, or cervical radiculopathy, a type of pain that radiates from the neck
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What is a crick in the neck?
Different Views
The crick in neck and shoulder blade is a very complex condition that up to this day is uncertain. There is only one thing certain about understanding crick in the neck, and it is that more health professionals don’t really agree what it is or what causes it. Some health professionals believe that the crick is caused by problems in the facet joint. Other professionals add that the only way to determine if a crick in the neck is caused by problems in the facet joint is by conducting a diagnostic injection to rule out or confirm that the facet joint is where the pain comes from. Still, other doctors believe that it is what people use to describe muscle spasms. Some doctors agree to this statement but add to the fact that these muscle spasms are caused by problems in the facet joint.
Doctors who have examined older patients with a crick in the neck report that pain is not caused by you problems in the facet joint and/or muscle spasms, but due to arthritis. In older people with crick, a reduction in the range of motion of the neck also accompanies the pain.
Remedies for Crick in Neck
Causes for a crick in the neck might be uncertain, but there are number things you can do to alleviate the pain associated with it. Most of the known pain remedies are things you can do at home. Know, however, that if your neck pain is caused by an underlying condition, medical attention is advised. Pain in the neck should resolve after a day or two, and if it doesn’t, see your doctor. Here are some of the most effective ways to relieve a crick in the neck.
Crick In Neck Cure
Sometimes, a crick in your neck can ruin your day. Stressing out over the pain will only make it worse. But fortunately, this can be helped with simple home treatments. If you need a simple crick in neck cure, just follow these pieces of advice.
An effective crick in neck cure can be applying a heating pad or moist hot cloth to your neck. Let the heating act for 10 to 15 minutes, penetrating the muscles, this will relax them. When cricks are caused by stress, tension and strain on a particular neck muscle, relaxing the muscles is the first thing you have to do. Be careful not to burn the skin on the neck.
If your neck is very swollen, you can apply an ice pack. This crick in neck cure is effective to reduce inflammation in the tendons and muscles. You can apply it with a towel around the neck for 15 to 20 minutes; take it off for 40 minutes and repeat.
When the muscles are relaxed, massage can be another excellent crick in neck cure. This helps to increase blood flow to the muscles. The massage can be done by hand or using an electric powered hand-held massager. Ask someone to massage neck muscles in circular motions, pressing down. If massaging is painful, ease up on the pressure. As the crick loosens, you should be able to massage by yourself with more pressure. While you are massaging, rotate your head to enhance and stretch the message. This crick in neck cure must be done for 15 minutes, about four times per day.
It’s better to move the affected area than to give in to the pain. Do some gentle exercises but don’t overdo. Stretching is one of the most recommended exercises for a crick in neck cures. After the massage, stretching helps to keep the muscles relaxed and prevent nasty cricks in the future. This crick in neck cure also is good for the entire body and should be done regularly. You have to start relaxing yourself being stand up, letting your arms hang down. Then let your head fall slowly, lift it up and let it fall again. If you move it gently, this crick in neck cure will serve you. If not, it will only harm you more. Then you can do the same movement but side by side, in each moment you will feel the stretch in your neck muscles. Remember these are very little muscles, so they have to be treated really softly. Then try to move your head in circles, and if you still feel the crick, repeat heat and massage. As the muscles and tendons loosen up, increase activity.
An important advice: although cricks are common these days, due to computer works and sedentary way of life, if a crick in your neck lasts more than five days, it could get worse with this kind of crick in neck cure. So if it doesn’t progress and it extends to other areas, such as arms or the entire back, please contact your doctor.
Applying an Icepack
Cold is perfect for reducing swelling and inflammation in tendons and muscles. Wrap your neck with a towel and apply an ice pack on the affected area for about fifteen to twenty minutes, then remove the icepack for forty minutes. Repeat the procedure again. The neck is a sensitive area so never apply ice directly in the skin of the neck. Always cover the icepack with a towel or wrap your neck with a cloth before application.
Applying Hot Compress
If the cold compress doesn’t do the trick, switch to some heat. A warm cloth or a heating pad applied directly to the source of pain will loosen tendons and muscles, as well as help relax them. Don’t get the warm cloth too hot or you’ll burn the skin on your neck.
Stretching
Keeping your neck muscles stretched and exercised can relieve a crick in the neck and prevent them from occurring in the future as well. It is always better to provide gentle exercise to the affected area as opposed to keeping it idle because of the pain. Do some simple neck stretches and turns. Once you feel the tendons and muscles in the neck area, increase the activity. You should feel your neck relieved of pain after some gentle exercise.
Gentle Massage
Light massage can calm down muscle spasms that cause a crick in the neck, but you should always remember to be very gentle with your message when starting, especially when the tendons and muscles are still sore. As the pain begins to subside and you start to feel your muscles loosen, increase the intensity of your message. Massaging your neck with your hands is a good way to relieve pain, but relief is usually faster with handheld electric massagers. Massage your neck in small circular motions, pressing down firmly but gently as you massage. The pressure of your message should feel pleasant, if you’re feeling too much pain, reduce pressure. While you’re doing the massage, rotate your head and do some light stretching. This will enhance the effect of the massage and alleviate your crick in the neck.
Taking Pain Killers
A surefire way to alleviate pain temporarily and reduce inflammation is by taking painkillers. Pain medication such as Aleve, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen reduces inflammation of ligaments, muscles, and tendons on the neck and in effect, reducing pain. Never take painkillers more than the recommended dosage. If pain still persists after painkillers, consult your doctor immediately. Painkillers are usually not advised for severe neck pain. In situations when the pain is too much to handle, consult your doctor at once.
When Should You See Your Doctor?
If employing any of these steps has proven ineffective for the alleviation of a crick in neck pain or if the pain you feel becomes worse, it’s high time you visited a doctor. Crick I neck may be a sign of an underlying injury or condition that needs medical attention. As mentioned above, a crick in the neck is caused by a wide variety of factors. You may have arthritis or meningitis that requires specialized treatments. At the hospital, your doctor will take an MRI or X-ray of your neck to determine if there are problems in the soft tissues that envelope your spine. If the doctor deems it necessary, a blood test might also be employed to check if your crick in the neck is caused by a particular disease or infection. If the pain you’re feeling is severe, seek medical attention right away to release your Crick in Neck.
Featured image source: Berkeley Wellness
