When something or someone is a pain in the neck, it can be quite annoying, well literally and otherwise. Whoever coined this idiom must have definitely been a victim to the literal pain in the neck hence could coin such a phrase accurately.
Contents
How To Get Cure From Neck Pain?
Well, if one does have to suffer this what could be done about it?
Like all other ailments, the first best option would be self-help.
Rest is an important factor in the healing process. Give some time for the injured tissues to regenerate.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can be procured and consumed.
Ice packs or heat therapy both work if the symptoms are mild. Ice therapy reduces blood flow and inflammation while heat pads aid in circulation. so as a first step these could be tried.
Exercise and physiotherapy could be the next step. Most neck pains can be managed by proper sitting postures, avoiding causative postures followed up with regular, targeted neck exercise.
If the pain is severe muscle relaxants give temporary relief.
When to go to a doctor?
Stiff neck, as neck pain is usually defined, goes away on its own after a few days if it is caused due to muscle strain.
But if the pain persists beyond all these DIYs, contact a doc immediately for the causes and hence the treatments are varied.
They give medication, usually, analgesics and corticosteroids to numb the pain first. Later they help in managing the pain by methods like traction for a few days. A neck collar is generally advised.
Most often alternative methods like acupuncture, massage, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), and chiropractic treatment are also seen as treatment options.
Treatment in accordance with the causative factor:
The first thing a doctor does is ascertain the cause which could be anything from:
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Disc Herniation or Intervertebral Disc Prolapse
- Spinal stenosis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Osteoporosis or a simple
- Muscle spasm, sprain or strain
There are even more serious causes such as tumors, Rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, Tuberculosis of the spine, and so on.
Conventional treatment in allopathy involves physiotherapy, traction, and later injections and as a last resort surgery.
👉 Treatment in Ayurveda:
Ayurvedic massages and oils are much-desired modes of treatment as opposed to invasive surgeries which carry a risk to the spine. Therapies like Podikkizhi, Elakkizhi, Abhyanga, Nasya, and Conjunction with herbal medicines are becoming very popular options for dealing with neck pain. These are considered safer and holistic.
👉 Acupuncture:
This mode of treatment is based on our own body energy force or Qi. The practitioners believe when our Qi is blocked it gets manifested in the forms of different pains. So Acupuncture restores this energy flow and heals the patient.
👉 Herbal medicines:
Various countries have their own creams and lotions for neck pain which has come to them through their traditions.
White willow Bark is from Europe which reduces inflammation and hence the pain.
Devil’s claw used in southern Africa once again gives relief in case of cervical osteoarthritis.
Capsaicin cream made from peppers also works marvels in neck ailments.
👉 Yoga and Pilates:
Along with medicines and applications finally, increasing muscle strength is the key. Yoga helps in releasing stress and helps improve posture the all-important aspect in neck-related issues. Pilates improve our core strength and balance.
All these alternate methods of treatment and management should only be done under the supervision of experienced practitioners, else the consequences could be adverse. What we need to understand it this is a common ailment and what needs to be done is intervention at the proper time and in a proper way so that the quality of life improves. Ladies are more prone to neck issues than men, so they need to exercise more caution.
Prevention is better than cure:
Especially for a strong and flexible neck, the most important thing is to take steps in anticipation. With most of the work being done on screens, the posture we adopt is an invitation to neck ailments. As a precautionary measure, practice neck strengthening exercises every day without a fuss. It will go a long way in keeping your head popping well above your shoulders, well literally and otherwise here too.