Neck pain is widespread and can affect up to 70% of people at one time or another during their life according to one study. Therefore, it is essential to know how to find relief from neck pain. Unfortunately, the only solution many people are aware of is taking over the counter pain medications. However, these medications are not intended for frequent or long-term use and may add other issues to your pain. Is there any way to get drug-free relief for neck pain?
To understand how to break free from neck pain, we first need to address some of the potential underlying causes. Then we will provide some tips for finding drug-free relief for neck pain.
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The first step in conquering stubborn neck pain is learning what is causing it. This can allow you to avoid the underlying cause (if possible) and will help you know how to find relief. Here are some of the most common neck pain causes.
While this is not a comprehensive list, it shows the vast array of ways neck pain can begin. Now let’s look at a few ways to get drug-free relief for neck pain.
Examine the quality of your bedding. When is the last time you changed your pillow or mattress? Make sure they are not too soft or overly hard. Adjust your sleep position so that your neck is not turned to the side while you sleep. You may even want to try a contoured pillow to keep your neck appropriately supported.
The spongy discs between your vertebrae are mostly water, so staying well hydrated is good for the neck as well as your overall health. Dehydration can also lead to muscle aches, so there are several ways that insufficient water intake can contribute toward neck pain.
If you are unsure whether you are getting enough water, try tracking your intake for a week to see if you are drinking 64 ounces or more per day. Remember that if you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages, you will have to drink even more water to overcome the dehydrating effect. Alcoholic drinks also dehydrate the body.
Patients often ask whether ice or heat is best for neck pain, and the answer is that it depends on what is causing the pain. To determine which is the best, you need to understand what both do.
If you are unsure whether heat or ice is the best for your neck pain, speak with your doctor.
When the neck is stiff and sore, or even if the pain is extending into the shoulders and down the arms, the source may be in the upper cervical spine. Upper cervical specific chiropractic targets the top two bones in the neck to relieve pressure from the nerves and to ensure that the head is balanced correctly. It involves precise measurements and extremely gentle corrections that can provide long-lasting results.
If you are living with chronic neck pain, upper cervical chiropractic may be the drug-free alternative that you have been searching for. Contact a practitioner in your area to schedule a consultation. This will help you to determine if upper cervical chiropractic is right for you. The search feature on this website will help you locate a preferred doctor in your area.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.