Have you ever tried waking up after a night’s rest feeling that your neck is stiff, sore and unresponsive to you attempting to turn your head sideways? If you have ever felt that, then the pain in your neck was most likely brought about by a problem with your sleeping position and because you really can’t control your movements and your positioning when you sleep, you also can’t avoid it once it sets in. Neck pain can be annoying, but it is painful.
It’s mostly common
If you are wondering if getting neck pain after waking up is a common issue, then suffice it to say that it is, especially if the body and the head are positioned in a way that might cause strain on the muscles of the neck. A lot of people experience it, but most of them dismiss it as something that would go away and they seldom go to the doctor because of it.
When you’re sleeping, your neck will be limp and it will no longer do its job of carrying the weight of your head. After all, it’s in a relaxed state. Sometimes, your head will position itself in a way that might strain your neck. Your brain may tell your body to shift slightly to relieve your neck, but then it might not and, thus comes the potential to get neck pains.
What can be done?
If you are experiencing neck pain right now because of a bad sleeping position, then you should know that there are ways that can alleviate the pain. You won’t have to endure that annoying feeling is you attempt to turn your head with these tips:
Let your neck rest
Give your neck a time to relax during the day. If you have the time, let your neck muscles rest by lying down. You only have to make sure that you are comfortable. Make sure you have a good neck pillow that will support your head.
Don’t be stressed
Stress and worry can actually have a toll on your body. Your mind will think a lot, thus letting out an excess of hormones. Your muscles will also react to your level of alertness; your muscles may also tense themselves as a response to your current state of mind.
Try putting some ice
Applying an ice compress on your neck can soothe you, but if you feel that it’s not working or that it only aggravates your pain, then just remove it.
Have a massage
Getting a massage really makes the mind feel at ease. It can also make your body more relaxed. Try getting a partner to massage your neck. At the end of the day, you may get some improved comfort because of it.
Apply a warm compress
A warm compress on the neck can improve the circulation of blood. It opens op the pores and eases the skin and muscles. You should also remember that you’d only need a warm compress. Having a very hot towel on your neck may actually worsen the pain or cause your skin to be inflamed.
Drink medicine if you have to
A simple non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug can work wonders for your if you really want to get rid of the pain for a better day. Aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are some of the medicines that are mild enough, but very effective.
Do some mild stretching
The muscles in your neck can benefit from some stretching. You don’t want to overly exert yourself, but you would want to loosen up those tense muscles. You need only to make sure that the muscles on your neck don’t tense up too much, and that your neck would achieve a stretch that doesn’t make you feel more pain.
Address your sleeping position
Getting some tips on how to alleviate the pain is just a temporary solution, but it doesn’t address the source of the problem. To actually prevent future events where you might experience another bout with neck pain, you would need to get a new pillow. After all, the head and neck only gets rest when lying down.
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There are many types of pillows that are out on the market. You can get one that is soft, yet very capable when it comes to supporting both your head and your neck. You don’t want to feel any discomfort during the time when you definitely need to rest. A pillow that’s well-cushioned can mean a lot of difference.
Make sure that your head is at the center of the pillow when you sleep and also ensure that a part of your neck is resting on the pillow. Such an act would make sure that you will have ample space for your head to move as you sleep and not be at risk of falling limp on the bed.