10 Lesser-Known Tips for Easing Neck Pain

September 10, 2009
by: Sylvia Marten

When common non-surgical treatments (e.g. NSAIDs, chiropractic care, neck exercises) or even surgery haven’t provided effective relief of neck pain, patients often get creative and identify simple yet unique techniques they do on their own.

With the help of our dedicated forum community of neck pain sufferers, Spine-health has compiled some suggestions that have worked for these people, who certainly know what it’s like to deal with neck pain on a daily basis.

1. Take a Swim

Many forum members note the therapeutic effects that swimming has on back pain and neck pain, specifically in reducing inflammation, providing quick pain relief and allowing for unrestricted movements. Interesting tips have included:

• Getting the water level up to the neck and simply moving around
• Squatting until the water reaches the chin, and then moving back and forth and to the right and to the left.

If patients do not own a pool or can’t get to a community pool in the summers or an indoor pool in the winters, taking a bath every night is a popular alternative for other neck pain sufferers.



2. Utilize a Water Pillow

Keeping on this “water” theme, some patients note the rejuvenating effects of water pillows that allow patients to dictate the firmness of their pillow. Specifically, more water equals a firmer pillow; less water provides a softer pillow.




Various water pillow products are available on the market and may be worth considering for patients who have tried more traditional neck pillows and braces to no avail.



3. Consider Melatonin Sleeping Aids

Even the greatest pillow may have no chance against neck pain that interferes with sleeping. Various supplements that stimulate the hormone Melatonin (which is highest prior to bedtime) have been used by forum members and allowed them to at least get some much-needed quality restorative sleep.




Of course, when considering supplements, it’s important to do your own research and speak with a trusted medical professional about the benefits/risks involved.



4. Focus on Magnesium Intake

As many cases of neck pain are the result of muscle strains or sprains, speaking with a nutritionist about magnesium (an essential mineral that helps contract and relax muscles) may be worth learning more about.




Magnesium is found in certain fruits, vegetables, nuts, peas, beans, soy products and whole grains, and is also available in supplemental formats. Some forum members note how taking magnesium helps with muscle tightness in the neck.



5. Learn More about Acupuncture

Involving the insertion of thin needles into the skin, acupuncture has been described as providing varying degrees of neck pain relief for forum members, with some people swearing by its effectiveness, others noting success about half of the time, and some other patients noting no relief.




One forum member raised the interesting point that the efficacy of acupuncture and deep tissue massage often depends on the skills of the practitioner, making it important for patients to research these treatment methods and really understand how to identify a skilled professional.



6. Get a Remedial Massage

Some forum members champion this type of massage for neck pain relief. But what’s the difference between a regular massage and a remedial massage?




During a remedial massage, oil is applied to and massaged into the skin, with the purpose of penetrating the muscles and joints, removing toxins in the muscles, and ultimately relaxing the muscles and improving joint mobility.



7. Relax via Holistic Treatments

Stress can exacerbate neck pain; thus, holistic treatments like aromatherapy (during which essential oils are used for relaxation and mood improvement), meditative music, candlelight, etc. may be incorporated to soothe the patient and clear the mind of neck pain.




One chronic neck pain sufferer has experienced so much pain relief from holistic treatments that he now has made such therapy a nightly ritual.



8. Avoid Situations that Trigger Neck Pain

Other forum members note how limiting instances that often spur and exacerbate neck pain (like sitting at a computer for long periods of time, driving, heavy lifting, other activities that require heavy use of the arms) have helped achieve relief.




Others have noted modifying such activities, like bringing the steering wheel as low as possible and putting a towel behind their neck when driving, as preventative measures for neck pain.



9. Strategically Place Ice on Certain Areas

Neck pain may also be joined by nagging headaches and numbness and tingling in the back of the head, neck, shoulders and hands. Some forum members suggest putting ice on different areas of the body (between the thumb and index finger, on the bone 1.5-2 inches behind the ear, on the indent between the middle of the eyebrow) to help achieve relief from such symptoms.




One creative forum member noted using a headband to secure the ice in these different spots and on the temple. And when his neck pain got really intense, he suggested slowly moving to and lying on the floor with a towel behind the neck.



10. Liquefy Medications

In some instances after neck surgery, swallowing difficulties may ensue. To compensate, some patients may ask their doctors for liquid versions of their medications or take matters in their own hands, crush their medications and stir in apple sauce, which one forum member did to seek relief.

Of course, sharing experiences with other neck pain sufferers may help spark other ideas for achieving desired pain relief and at least provide comfort that there are people out there who really do care. Consider joining the Spine-health Neck Pain Forum Community to share and gain additional tips.

These unconventional tips for relieving neck pain have worked for others. The hope is that some of them may work for you too, or help spur new ideas that will. Please leave a comment to let us know.

Other Resources

• Neck Pain Videos
• Types of Neck Pain
• Neck Pain Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis
• Alternative Care
• Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms and Treatment
• Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease