9 All-Natural Home Remedies For Neck Pain That Really Work

Jan 03, 2019

For many people who work in a field that requires sitting at a desk or working on a computer, then neck pain is usually quite common. This pain can become worse and worse if not relieved. Luckily, there are a few exercises as well as home remedies you can try at home to relieve your neck pain.

Yoga has long been considered as an excellent way to stretch the body and improve circulation as well as flexibility. It can also be used to help relieve neck pain, too. Here are some positions to consider.

Standing Mountain Pose

The Standing Mountain Pose can help to provide relief for those who have a sore or tight neck as well as those who feel a lot of tension in their neck.

Shoulder Shrugs

Shoulder Shrugs is another yoga asana that can relieve the tension in your neck. It can also reduce pain, soreness, and tightness.

Cobra Pose

The Cobra Pose is used primarily to strengthen your back. By strengthening your back and improving the flexibility of your spine, you can also strengthen your neck and relieve tension.

Standing Forward Bend Pose

Modified Standing Forward Bend Pose is another asana that focuses on the neck and shoulders. It can provide relief for tension and pain. If you can't touch the floor, simply hang your head and arms limply in front of you.

Child Pose

Child Pose is one last yoga position that can help to relieve and relax your neck. For those who are more interested in yoga asanas, you can click here for additional information and poses.

For those who aren't the biggest fan of yoga or you feel as though you may require an instructor to perform the poses correctly, you may not be the most eager to give yoga a try. Luckily, there are simple neck stretches and tilts that you can do instead. Exercise can often alleviate 75% of neck pain. Here are some exercises you can perform to stretch and tilt your neck.

Neck Stretch

For a neck stretch, you should keep your posture upright. By keeping your chin straight, you should move your neck forward away from your body and hold the position for five seconds. Then do the same except this time move your head backward. The idea is to stretch your throat. This stretch should be repeated around five times.

Neck Tilt

As for the neck tilt, you should move your chin up and down as well as side to side for a few times. Be sure that you go slow and are gentle to prevent pinching the nerves. Again, this exercise should be repeated around five times.

This exercise has become quite popular and with good reason. It can improve the strength of your upper back, neck, and shoulders. Here are a few pilates maneuvers you should attempt.

Head Nod

The Head Nod is an excellent method to improve the stability of your neck. First, you must lay on your back and bend your knees. Tuck your chin into your neck and then slowly move your head upwards until you can move no further. Then untuck your chin and lower back to the floor. Repeat.

The Swan Dive

The Swan Dive is another pilates position that can improve the muscles of your back. Begin by laying flat on your tummy. Your hands should be tucked in between the mat and your forehead. Slowly lift your head upwards as you exhale and keep your chin tucked. Once you inhale, lower yourself back down and relax until your forehead touches your hands once more.

Receiving a massage is one of the best options anyone can take to improve the circulation of their blood as well as provide relaxation for their muscles. Once muscles are relaxed, you can actually improve the range of motion of those muscles. Grab your loved one and tell them to perform some of these massage techniques.

Circular Motion:

Thumbs should be applied to the area between your spine and shoulder blade. Pressure should be mildly firm, and the thumbs should move down the muscles along your spine in circular motions.

Gliding Stroke:

Once more, the thumbs should be placed in the area between the spine and shoulder blade. Instead of moving in circles, the thumbs should glide down the back and neck with mild pressure. The goal is to follow the shape of the shoulder blade.

Like any sore muscle or injury, sometimes all you need to do is apply a hot or cold pack. Hot packs are especially good at relieving stiffness and providing circulation throughout the area. It can reduce the number of muscle spasms that you feel. Cold packs are an excellent method for reducing inflammation and numbing pain.

For many, the reason behind their sore neck might be because their pillow is no longer doing its job. Take some time to see if your pillow is supporting your neck properly. It may also be the case that your mattress no longer supports your spine correctly either. Make adjustments as is necessary.

Another method to consider is acupressure. Professionals know a few key pressure points that can help to relieve neck pain and tension. Some techniques they may try are The Zhong Zhu, shown above, The Jian Zhong Shu, or The Shen Mai.

The Zhong Zhu is used to relieve tension and pain in the upper back/neck area. All you have to do is put pressure in the groove between your ring and pinky fingers, just behind your knuckle as shown in the image above. 

The Jian Zhong Shu

If you can't reach this pressure point, ask someone to give you a massage focusing on the area between your neck and shoulder. Pressure here should relieve neck and back pain, too.

The Shen Mai

Press this pressure point located on your ankle to relieve neck stiffness and pain. Hold pressure for 4-5 seconds, then release and repeat.

When sitting all day, good posture is the best defense against neck pain. Keep your back straight and head forward no matter how tempting it might be to slouch or sit forward. By practicing good posture when sitting or standing, you can improve your neck pain.

Dehydration can exacerbate neck pain. As such, staying hydrated is your best bet to improving your neck pain. This is largely due to how cartilage interacts with bones to reduce friction.

Do you experience neck pain? What has helped you? Let us know in the comments. If you or someone you know suffers from neck pain, then consider sending them this information to bring them relief. With these steps in hand, they may finally be free of consistent neck pain.