5 Ways To Alleviate Sore Neck Muscles

Sooner or later, we all experience the all-too-familiar ache of sore neck muscles. Whether it’s from hunching over your phone, lifting something awkwardly, or just snoozing in a weird position, neck pain seems to catch up with everyone eventually. While time often heals muscle soreness, there are plenty of tricks to help ease the discomfort.

Choose The Right Topical Pain Reliever To Enhance Massages

When the neck pain becomes bad enough, you’ll no doubt find yourself reaching for some sort of pain relief aid. Consider using a topical cream that absorbs into your skin, targeting the active ingredients directly to your neck muscles, where they’re needed most. Examples of effective active ingredients include:

• CBD – CBD helps tackle neck pain on multiple fronts, starting with its ability to relax muscles and release tension. Studies also show that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce swelling and prolonged discomfort. However, its primary advantage is that it can impact how the body interprets pain by interacting with the endocannabinoid system to provide analgesic benefits. Click here for examples of topical CBD products for neck pain.
• Capsaicin – Capsaicin is effective for neck pain because it blocks pain signals from reaching your brain and helps reduce inflammation. This dual action also soothes sore muscles, often described as providing a pleasant, warming sensation.
• Menthol – Menthol can help relieve sore necks because it gives a refreshing, cooling kick that helps soothe pain and ease inflammation. This sensation tricks your brain into feeling less pain while simultaneously boosting blood flow to the area to help tense muscles relax.
• Eucalyptus oil – This plant-based oil helps relieve sore muscles with its natural cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. While eucalyptus oil is a surprisingly common ingredient among topical pain treatments, it can also be inhaled by itself to soothe both the mind and body, as explored in Understanding the Benefits of Essential Oils.

More often than not, a topical pain cream will feature a combination of active ingredients for well-rounded relief. When assessing your options, don’t only look at the frontward-facing label; also evaluate the fine print in which the manufacturer should disclose just how much of these ingredients are used.

Apply Heat And Cold Compresses To Your Neck Muscles

Applying hot and cold compresses to sore neck muscles helps by targeting pain and inflammation in different ways. Cold compresses reduce inflammation and numb the area to decrease pain, while hot compresses relax tight muscles and improve blood flow, promoting faster healing. Using both can provide comprehensive relief by addressing both swelling and muscle tension.

Maintain Proper Posture Both While Awake And Asleep

It should come as no surprise that maintaining good posture is key to avoiding neck pain. However, many of us naturally drop our heads when doing such tasks as reading our phones or working at a computer for extended periods. For more details on how to apply ergonomic principles to your everyday life, check out Are You Sitting Well.

Your sleeping position can also impact neck pain. Resting on your stomach can strain your neck, so it’s better to lie on your back or side to keep everything aligned. A supportive pillow that keeps your neck in a neutral position can make a significant difference in reducing discomfort.

Careful Stretching

Stretching can help alleviate a sore neck by loosening tight muscles and improving blood flow to the affected area. Gentle stretches can also increase flexibility and reduce tension, contributing to overall relief. However, it’s important not to push yourself too hard, as overexerting the neck muscles can lead to further injury or discomfort. To see neck-friendly stretches demonstrated first-hand, check out this video made by physical therapist Doctor Jo.

Consider Acupuncture

Not everyone is a fan of the ideas of thin needles being placed across the body. However, acupuncture may just be the solution your sore neck muscles crave.

As explained by WTHN, “Acupuncture releases trigger points using very thin needles inserted into the skin. An acupuncture practitioner locates the center of the knotted muscle fibers and gently places stainless steel needles into the affected area, which cause the muscle to involuntarily contract in what’s known as a twitch response . . . That contraction then begins a chain of events in which the body’s own healing mechanisms react, opening blood vessels to increase blood flow and releasing endorphins to help the muscle relax (and the mind unwind, too).”

Important Note—Inform Your Doctor If Neck Pain Persists

If your neck doesn’t show improvement within 2-3 weeks of rest and the above-mentioned measures, it may be time to consult a trained medical professional. They can help rule out any underlying conditions and recommend specialized care, such as physical therapy sessions or a consultation with a spine specialist.