How many days for a stiff neck to heal

Bang says if your neck is bothering you, you also should pay attention to your sleep positions. Sleep only on your side or on your back — never on your stomach, he says. A stiff neck is usually caused by your muscles weakening over time from poor posture or misuse. Here are 4 simple stretches you can do to find relief. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Sudden movements can cause more inflammation, pain, and a more serious injury.

Apply a heating pad or take a warm shower before stretching. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific pressure points on your body. While more scientific research is needed to identify proven benefits, acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in Eastern medicine. Visit only a certified practitioner with sterile needles. A licensed chiropractor can manipulate muscles and joints to provide pain relief.

This type of therapy can be uncomfortable or painful to some. You can discuss your comfort with a doctor. If your neck stiffness and pain started after performing physical activity, you should limit that activity until the stiffness resolves.

However, you should limit heavy lifting and activities that may aggravate your neck muscles any time you have neck pain. Stress can cause you to tense the muscles in your neck. Reducing stress can help treat and prevent neck pain and stiffness. You may choose to reduce stress in a variety of ways, including:. Exercise can help strengthen your muscles to prevent injuries.

Exercise can also help you to improve your posture to relieve and prevent neck stiffness. Adjusting your sleep environment can help relieve a stiff neck. Ways to change your sleep environment include:. If your neck pain interferes with your regular daily activities, you should see your doctor. Other reasons you should seek medical care are:. These additional symptoms could be a sign of a more serious injury to your neck, like a herniated disk , pinched nerve , bulging disk , or arthritis.

Most of the time, a stiff neck with minor pain can be treated at home with ice, heat, and stretching. If your pain does not subside after a few days or you have additional symptoms, you should see a doctor. Standing desks have become very popular, and can improve health and productivity. Here are 6 tips on how to use these desks correctly. Your posture has a major impact on your health, but most people don't know how to sit with good posture.

Here's how to get started. Depending on the person and severity of the strain or sprain, different combinations of these treatments could work better for some than others. Trial and error will likely be necessary to find the treatment plan that works best for an individual.

See Neck Strengthening Exercises. In addition to lowering the risk of a stiff neck in the short term, maintaining a strong, flexible neck, and using good posture can also help keep the cervical spine healthier in the long term. How to Treat Stiff Neck at the Office. You are here Conditions Neck Pain. Treatment for a Stiff Neck share pin it Newsletters.