Stiffed neck is a common problem that travelers experience. Long hours of sitting predispose travelers to wrong posture. This usually leads to a very torturous trip and an unpleasant trip. How could you enjoy your vacation or be effective in your business meeting if you’re experiencing stiffed neck? What we can do is to endure the pain until it’s gone, or better yet seek medical help if we have extra cash for medical bills. If you don’t want this stiffed neck problem ruining your vacation or trip, then here are some tips that can relieve your neck pain instantly and cost effectively.
1) Hot packs. Heat relaxes the muscle and can lessen the tension. It relieves heat by counter irritation effect. The heat sensation blocks the pain sensation. But too much heat can lead to inflammation plus the stress that happens during a trip can add up to the swelling and pain. You don’t want to be in complete bed rest in your trip, don’t you?
Tip: Cryotherapy or ice pack. Apply cold compress on your strained neck muscles.
A better tip: Wet a towel and put in the freezer overnight. You can use it in the morning as a cold compress; the towel will easily adapt to the contour of your neck and will give even cooling throughout the neck region.
2) A relaxing sleep with a big comfy pillow. Yes the rest will help, but the big pillow? No way! This will further stress your neck muscle leading to more pain.
Tip: A rolled towel, cloth under the neck.
A better tip: It’s better to use a down pillow. Ask the hotel staff about it, they are common now in hotels and lodges.
3) Analgesics. NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug may do the trick. However, many over the counter drug may lead to more problems than relief. Side-effects are not uncommon with pain relievers. Drugs with caffeine will cause sleeping problem.
Tip: Abstain from caffeine; it can lead to slower recovery. Ibuprofen is a safe analgesic, but don’t take it in an empty stomach.
A better tip: Amica and turmeric are common herbal medicines that you can use. Bring some of them in your next trip.
4) Stretching. Keeping the neck in a poor position for a long time like in dozing off with the head against the window will lead to stiffed neck. The soft tissues in the neck like the muscle and ligaments are in great strain. Stretching will further stress these structure and will worsen the pain.
Tip: Do gentle stretching only when inflammation has subsided.
A better tip: Book yourself to a massage session once you arrive in your hotel. Ask the therapist to do gentle kneading as deep kneading and tissue massage can worsen the pain.
Neck pain is not uncommon to travelers. Thankfully, there are simple remedies that can alleviate the pain.
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