According to research, more than 70% of the American population experience some neck complications at some point in their life whether caused by an underlying medical condition, poor posture or injury.
Apart from the excruciating pain, neck complications can also interfere with your day to day activities, and it is, therefore, crucial to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Why Neck Pain Is So Common
Before we delve deeper into this matter, it is crucial to note that, the neck is a complex structure composed of 7 distinct vertebrae which begin at the skull and extend all the way to your upper back.
The neck is made of several structures including veins, skin, muscles, thyroid gland, lymph nodes etc. This means that any complication on any of these structures can lead to neck issues.
In addition, the head may weigh up to 8 pounds, and so your neck puts in some work to hold it up on a daily basis. These are some of the reasons why neck pain is so common.
What Causes Neck Pain
Several factors can lead to neck complication;
- Pinched nerves
- Sleeping in an uncomfortable position
- Degenerative disk disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Neck injury or strain
- Stress
- Poor sitting posture etc.
Depending on the cause of the neck pain, patients can experience symptoms such as shoulder pain, headaches, back pain and facial pain. If the neck issues are as a result of an underlying condition such as fibromyalgia, patients will experience symptoms related to fibromyalgia. This applies to all other chronic conditions.
How to Treat Your Neck Naturally
If the neck complications are being caused by some underlying medical conditions, it is crucial that you see your doctor as he will be able to advise on the best treatment plan.
However, if the neck pain is as a result of poor posture, exercise, stress etc., then practising some healthy living styles might be all you need.
In this post, we will share with you some of the best natural techniques that you can employ to ensure that your neck remains strong and healthy.
Acupuncture
According to research, acupuncture can be a more effective treatment against neck pain than traditional remedies such as physical therapy and medication.
Acupuncture relies on the fact that the human body is made up of more than 2000 points connecting with 20 meridians. These meridians, also referred to as pathways conduct energy throughout the human body.
Acupuncture relies on the use of very thin needles which are placed in specific combinations of the 2000 points. This helps to balance energy flow in our bodies, hence alleviating pain.
However, acupuncture may not yield instant results; hence you should be patient.
Hydrotherapy
Also referred to as water therapy exercise, hydrotherapy has proved effective in reducing pain complications. This technique is specifically helpful if you suffer from an underlying medical condition such as osteoarthritis.
According to experts, water practices such as water aerobics provide gentle ways of easing pain and increasing your range of motion. Including Epsom salts in the bath can also be helpful.
Experts argue that Epsom salt contains magnesium which helps reduce muscle pain and inflammation.
Research has shown that adding about 2 cups of Epsom salt in a warm bath can help relax your muscles hence relieving you from pain.
Massage
It turns out that massage is not only for enjoyment purpose only. According to experts, neck massage can help break up the fascia and tension in the neck.
Research shows that people who get head or neck massage regularly tend to experience less pain as compared to their counterparts who don’t get a massage at all.
Getting a massage session on a regular basis means that your joints will remain flexible and hence there will be less straining or pulling of the joints and muscles in future.
Craniosacral Therapy
Although some people still rely on traditional pain relieving techniques such as taking over the counter pills, more and more people are looking for alternative remedies. One thing to note about pharmaceutical drugs is that, apart from being ineffective, some of them can be addictive or have severe side effects. This is where techniques such as craniosacral therapy for neck pain comes in.
As already mentioned, neck pain can be caused by other external factors. It is also believed that blockage in the cerebrospinal fluid and misalignments in the skull structure can lead to neck complications.
Unlike other treatment options that only target the symptoms, craniosacral therapy works by targeting the cause. It achieves this by minimizing muscle tension, increasing the response of the parasympathetic nervous system and reducing the intrafascial muscle cells.
Although more research is still needed to decipher how effective craniosacral therapy is as a pain relieving technique, the few studies carried so far have been promising.
CBD Oil for Pain
CBD, short for Cannabidiol has been touted for its many health benefits including pain relief, muscle spasms, cancer symptoms and arthritis.
According to research, CBD oil for pain can be an effective natural remedy for neck pain.
According to a publication by the Journal of Experimental Medicine, CBD oil can help alleviate inflammation and chronic pain. One of the best things about CBD oil is that it is not addictive and doesn’t have any severe side effects.
However, it is crucial that you consult your doctor before turning to CBD oil for neck pain as he will be able to guide you on the right dosage as well as the best consumption method.
Hydration
You may not take this seriously, but research has shown that remaining hydrated can help keep neck pain at bay.
According to experts, there is a disc located between the vertebrae of the human spine. These discs need to be hydrated to carry their function of taking the pressure off your spine. They are also responsible for maintaining spinal alignment.
It is therefore crucial that you stay hydrated as this will help avoid future neck complications. Besides, water is necessary for the overall wellbeing.
As you can see, there are so many techniques that you can apply to help keep neck pain at bay. However, if you try these techniques and fail to get better, it is crucial that you seek the help of a medical practitioner.
