A stiff neck is one of the worst things to wake up within the morning. It has happened to everyone at least once in his or her lifetime. “Maybe I slept wrong” is the first thought that comes in mind after getting a crick in your neck. However, the question here is how to get rid of a crick in your neck? Most probably, people find it extremely annoying as they could hardly do their routine activities.
Other than wrong sleeping posture, too much exercise the day before, or strained something even without knowing is the next possible root causes. Whatever the reason is, you must want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Undoubtedly, it can get in the way of your daily activities and in some cases, it might be even impossible to do anything. Here are a few quick ideas that explain how to get rid of a crick in your neck.
Before moving ahead to the solutions, let me first enlighten the most probable symptoms of a crick in your neck.
Symptoms
Majority of the people with a crick in their neck suffer from the neck pain as well. A crick in the neck is often because of trivial muscle injuries. However, it varies from person to person, not everyone with neck stiffness has pain. The most frequent sensations linked with a crick in the neck include:
- Stiffness in the neck
- A popping sensation or sound when a person moves his neck in a particular course
- Rigidity in muscles near the neck, such as the shoulders or upper chest
- A feeling that the neck needs to crack
- Difficulty moving the neck in a specific direction
- A feeling that turning the neck will be very painful
The leading causes of having a crick in the neck could be:
- Muscle injury or tension due to sitting in an awkward position
- Poor posture
- Sitting at a computer all-day
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasm
- Strains, sprains, and other minor injuries
- Poor muscle flexibility
Most of the time deskbound lifestyle, most of the time spent in front of the computer, or inadequate workout make minor injuries worse.
Here are a few solutions of how to get rid of a crick in your neck.
· Have Some Tylenol
OTC medications can give you emergency relief, specifically for milder pains. If you have developed neck pain from mild to moderate, and it lasts for a short time, then Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or similar medicines can aid you to feel better. All of these medications provide help to reduce inflammation, and they assist in managing pain as well. However, for severe or continuous pain, you just need to find a better and long-lasting option.
· Try Some Heat
Sometimes a crick in your neck only needs an abrupt heat and some stretching. Popping a heating pad on the point for a bit, and then pulling the neck tenderly can sometimes give some relief. The heat will diminish swelling, and the stretching might take away tension that is in the area. While stretching, you must be kind with the body and don’t try to pressurize too much so that you don’t cause more pain. You can even apply some gel for muscle stiffness if you don’t have enough time for a heating pad.
· Use Your Hands
A little massage with light mode can go a long way. With the help of someone, give the area a little rub, and if there’s no one available, then try doing it yourself. Be vigilant and try not to do anything that hurts the area more, in case it is more injured than you realize. However, for a tight muscle or tendon, a massage might be able to work it out. Along with massage, some other options mentioned-above are more effective.
· Changing Position
People who recurrently have a crick in the neck may benefit from changing the way they sleep or sit. Buy a firm pillow, an ergonomic chair, or a neck cushion for long flights or drives can help put a stop to stiffness in the future. This is how to get rid of a crick in your neck.
. Hydrotherapy
How to get rid of a crick in your neck? For this purpose, you can try hydrotherapy at home. You might use broiling water and vapor as a remedy to relax your neck stiffness. Take a warm bath along with the massaging on the neck can be sufficient for your muscles moving smoothly as usual. You can also try staying in a room with steam or taking a hot shower in a vertical position for the relaxing effect.
When to see a doctor
If you are not getting well in more than 24 hours and don’t know how to get rid of a crick in your neck and symptoms are severe, in these conditions, it is necessary to consult with a physician as soon as possible.
With home remedies, if your crick does not get better, then don’t waste any time and visit your doctor. A physical therapist would help you precisely in this regard. Other than stiffness and pain, if you have additional symptoms such as weakness in your arms or tingling, then make sure to seek medical treatment.
Wrap Up
Though you have found the best solutions of how to get rid of a crick in your neck, however, a crick can be unsettling. Mainly, it is not linked to a severe medical condition. A kink in the neck should disappear with a few stretches and a little patience. Conversely, if a person does not feel better, then speak to a doctor.
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