You are just going about your day and then it happens: your neck starts cramping up and you can’t even look to the side without feeling pain. In order to find out the true origination of your neck cramps, you will need to see a spine expert, like the ones at Advanced Orthopedics. That way, you can get to the root of your pain and solve it from the inside out. But in the meantime, you shouldn’t have to live with the extreme soreness and tension. Doing these things will usually help:
Stretch
With most neck cramps, trying to stretch them out can provide relief. Gently tilt your head in each direction and hold the stretch for at least one minute per side. For even better results, do the stretches while taking a hot shower.
Massage
Another way to loosen up a neck cramp is with light massage. While it is ideal to have someone else complete this massage, you can do it yourself in a pinch. Start at the base of your skull and rub your thumb along the side of your spine down to the top of your shoulders. Continue this motion wherever you feel tightness or discomfort.
Medicate
If you still can’t find relief from your neck cramp, you may need the assistance of some medicine. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium will usually help. If not, you should talk to your doctor about a muscle relaxant.
