Remedies for neck stiffness to testApply heat or ice to the sore area. Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat after that. Doctors recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen, keep moving. Make sure you have the right mattress or pillow.
Almost everyone will experience neck pain at some point. Sleeping on your side or on your back can help keep stress out of your neck and control pain. If possible, you should avoid sleeping on your stomach. Sleeping on your stomach puts your neck at an uncomfortable angle that can make pain worse.
You may want to start by taking a hot shower. Hot water helps loosen and relax your neck muscles, which can also reduce pain and improve range of motion. Using pillows to support your arms while sleeping on your side or on your back can also help reduce tension and pain in your neck. A person may also try placing a pillow between their knees if they are sleeping on their side, or under them if they sleep on their back, to reduce tension or pressure on the spine.
The best sleeping positions for your neck are on your back or side. The back is recommended in particular; just make sure to use a pillow that supports the curvature of your neck and a flatter pillow to cushion your head. A physical therapist can help you adjust your posture, which can go a long way in relieving neck pain. For many people in Atlanta, GA, neck pain can come and go during the day, but it often worsens at night.
Neck pain is often multifactorial, while in some cases, there may be no immediate obvious cause, making it even more important to have it evaluated by an experienced provider. For all sleeping positions with neck pain, you should use a pillow under your neck that provides support, such as a rolled towel or neck pillow. If you're wondering how to get rid of neck pain from poor sleep, you've come to the right place. If the pain is due to muscle spasm or nerve impingement, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant or tricyclic antidepressant and, possibly, a stronger pain reliever than you were taking at home.
Talk to your doctor If the pain persists, you don't want to go through life with real pain in your neck. PRO~PT physical therapists are fully licensed and have helped rehabilitate many patients suffering from neck pain and know exactly what they need. If the pain is due to muscle spasm or a pinched nerve, your provider may prescribe a stronger muscle relaxant or pain reliever. Many people find relief from back and neck pain by sleeping upright or in a recliner.
People with neck pain can benefit from sleeping on a firm, fully supportive mattress and using a supportive pillow. If you've exhausted all of your home options without relief, or if you think your symptoms are part of a more serious problem, it may be time to talk to your doctor about what may actually be causing your neck and neck pain, as well as what treatment options you have. Gentle exercises, such as walking and yoga, can also help when you have neck pain from poor sleep. If you find that neck pain lasts longer than a couple of days, it may be time to see your physical therapist for an evaluation.
Using pillows and mattresses specially designed for people with neck pain or discomfort can often help reduce neck pain and make sleep easier.