A crick in the neck is a neck stiffness that stops you from moving your head and neck comfortably. A crick in your neck can commonly make your spine stiff, rigid, and inflexible, which can be very uncomfortable for most people. Fortunately, there are various things you can do to get rid of the stiffness, many of which may be done right at home.
Continue reading to learn more about why you might have a crick in your neck, how to get rid of it quickly, and how Harlan Chiropractic & Acupuncture can help if nothing else does.
What Does it Mean to Have a Crick in Your Neck?
A crick in your neck refers to tightness in the muscles surrounding your lower neck and shoulder blades, which various unpredictable factors can cause. Alternatively, it can also refer to a type of neck pain in which something seems stuck in your neck or cervical vertebrae.
A crick in your neck can be caused by various factors, such as muscle spasms, a herniated disc, or more severely, spinal stenosis.
A crick in the neck is usually more stiff and uncomfortable than painful and in most instances, can be managed with at-home solutions. However, if the tightness results in chronic pain, a visit to your local chiropractor may be required.
At-Home Treatments to Cure a Crick in Your Neck
A stiff neck is one of the worst things to experience when you wake up in the morning. Not only can it get in the way of daily tasks and make them more difficult, but in some circumstances, it can make basic tasks nearly impossible to complete.
If you are experiencing stiffness in your neck in the morning, there are a few solutions that may be able to relieve the pain.
- Heating Pad
- Stretching
- Self-Massage
Heating Pad
A little heat and stretching can sometimes be all that’s required to relieve a crick in your neck. The heat will help to reduce inflammation, and the stretching will help relieve any tension in the area.
Using a heating pad on the affected area for a few minutes and gently stretching your neck can often provide relief. To avoid further pain or damage, go easy on your body and don’t push yourself too hard when stretching.
Stretching
As previously mentioned, stretching can go a long way in relieving stiffness in your neck and can often help liberate your neck nerves from the stiff muscles surrounding them.
Sit or stand with your back straight, shoulders back, and head centered over your shoulders. Then, gently tilt your head away from the aching muscles as if you’re trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. Hold the stretch for five to ten seconds until you feel a stretch in your neck muscles before returning to the starting position. Then, stretch the other side of your neck.
Self-Massage
Lastly, a gentle massage can also make a significant difference and help loosen up your neck. Gently rub the stiff area of your neck with your hands, or request the help of a friend or family member.
Visit Harlan Chiropractic & Acupuncture Today to Relieve Your Neck Pain
If you suffer cricks in your neck on a regular basis, or if the muscle pain and tension persists after several days and none of the above solutions provide relief, you may have a more significant neck problem that needs to be addressed.
If you suffer from chronic neck stiffness, Harlan Chiropractic & Acupuncture is here to assist you.
At Harlan Chiropractic & Acupuncture, nothing is more important than the health and wellbeing of you and your family. Dr. Chris Harlan remains dedicated to providing natural, sensitive care to each of his patients to help them make the best decisions for their bodies.
If you have a crick in your neck that won’t go away despite any of the solutions mentioned above, schedule an appointment with Harlan Chiropractic & Acupuncture today and allow us to establish a diagnosis and create a treatment plan that’s custom-tailored to you and your lifestyle.