With all the time people spend using their smartphones and computers, it is not a surprise that most of them end up dealing with neck pain. Poor posture is the biggest cause of developing a stiff neck. When you look down at your smartphone or computer monitor, you eventually make the muscles around your neck joints to become weak. They stay overstretched all the time and even lead to displaced neck joints.

How to Get Rid of Neck Pain

Even when it is not that severe, neck pain can still interfere with your day-to-day tasks. It is therefore important to identify the underlying cause of your neck pain and try some ways to fix it. Here are some suggestions.

1. Exercise Your Neck Muscles

What it means is that you should rotate your neck in a circular motion to get rid of any stiffness in the muscles. You may find it a bit uncomfortable to stretch out your agitated muscles, but you should stick to the exercise to make things better. Start by moving your neck back and forth – stop if it aggravates your pain. Then, you should be moving your neck from side to side. There is no need to overstretch. Finally, you should move your neck to make figure-8 pattern in the air. Repeat the set several times a day to improve your condition.

2. Take a Salt Bath

What it means is that you need to add some Epsom salts in your bathtub and soak in it for several minutes. Epsom salts contain sulfate and magnesium that will help improve blood circulation and relax your tight muscles. Bath salts are also a good source of magnesium that triggers the release of serotonin in the brain.

3. Get a Massage

To learn how to get rid of neck pain, you should learn how to massage those tight muscles. You can always use massage techniques on your own or you can use a professional's help. Acupuncture is quite effective for neck pain. When combined with massage, acupuncture can produce better results and alleviate the pain as well. You should also use hydrotherapy, which involves standing under the shower and letting warm water massage the affected area for 3-4 minutes. Now, turn the water to its cold setting and target the affected area for 30 seconds. You can repeat it several times to find relief.

4. Use a Neck Brace for Support

If your neck pain is severe, do not shy away from using a neck brace. It will provide some additional support to your neck and ensure that you do not end up aggravating your neck problem. You can simply get a bath towel, roll it up, and then wrap around your neck for added support.

5. Take Advantage of Meditation

You can reduce pain and stiffness by practicing meditation techniques. Meditation helps you connect with your inner self and this works great to reduce emotional stress, which in many cases is the underlying cause of neck pain. Start by focusing on what is happening around you – do this for one minute only. Then, have your focus fixed on your breathing for one minute. Finally, you should take another minute to expand your awareness outside of your consciousness.

6. Fix Your Posture

In many cases, you can learn how to get rid of neck pain by identifying and fixing any postural problems. Your head and spine stays in a balanced position due to gravity, but poor posture can pull your lower back forward, which in turn will put your neck in a strained position. To fix your posture, stand against a wall with your heels a few inches from the wall. Ensure that your shoulders and buttocks are touching the wall and the back of your head is very close to the wall. While keeping your chin level, slowly step away from the wall. You need to maintain that posture throughout the day.

7. Keep Your Body Hydrated

It is important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Without enough water, the discs in your spine cannot maintain proper spinal alignment and disc height. This will affect the health of your spine and you will end up dealing with neck pain. Keeping your body hydrated may greatly help prevent degeneration of discs. Instead of drinking several glasses of water at a time, it is better to keep a 1-liter bottle of water with you and take small sips after a short time.

8. Use a Firm Mattress

If you experience some stiffness in your neck every time you wake up in the morning, you may experience some relief by changing your sleeping habits and mattress. Opt for a firm mattress and ensure that your head stays in line with your spine all the time. Avoid sleeping on your stomach and never use pillows that are too firm or thick.

9. Apply Cold Compresses

Wondering how to get rid of neck pain? Try cold compresses to help relieve tension and pain in your neck. Using a cold pack is a good idea because it can numb the area for some time and reduce the sensation of pain. Simply take a thin towel and wrap some ice cubes in it. Now, apply it directly to the affected area for 15 minutes. Repeat the same every 2 hours for relief. Stick to this remedy for the first 48 hours of getting neck pain.

10. Try Heat Therapy

If your pain persists after 48 hours, you may consider switching to heat therapy. Apply a hot pack to your affected area can increase blood circulation and reduce pain and swelling. You should apply a hot compress for 10 minutes at a time. Repeat 4 times a day for relief.