There's a reason annoying people or situations are called a "pain in the neck."
Nearly everyone has had pain in their necks, also referred to as "cricks," at some point in their lives, and if you have, you know just how bad they are.
Poorly aligned sleeping positions, too many hours spent looking at a screen, and certain injuries are just a few things that lead to having a crick in your neck.
If the term "crick" doesn't sound very scientific to you, that's because it's not.
A crick in the neck is not an official medical diagnosis.
It's just a popular phrase that's used to describe temporary, but often intense pain at the top of your shoulder, in your neck, or at the base of your skull.
So if you visit the doctor because of a crick in the neck, the paperwork he sends you home won't include a diagnosis of a "crick."
That still doesn't change the fact that a crick in the neck is awful to deal with, and you should try to fix them as soon as possible.
In the article below, we will learn a little bit about that crick in your neck, and what you can do to get rid of it.
Table Of Contents
Symptoms
A crick in the neck is often due to minor muscle injuries, so they are almost always accompanied by pain.
However, you could have a crick in the neck and not even know it, because they don't always come with pain.
Below are the most common symptoms associated with a crick in the neck.
- Neck stiffness
- A popping sensation when you move your neck in a specific direction
- The feeling that your neck needs to pop
- Stiffness in muscles near your neck, such as your shoulders
- Difficulty moving your neck in a particular direction
- A feeling that rotating your neck will be very painful
Causes
The cause of this condition is usually very simple.
A crick in your neck can be caused by your neck being in an awkward position for an extended period of time.
If you sleep in an awkward position or sit in an uncomfortable position for an hour or two, your vertebra could get put out of alignment.
Or you may stretch out the muscles and tendons of your neck, which will put added pressure on the nerves in the back of your neck.
This makes your neck feel stiff and makes it difficult to stretch or bend.
Improper form during exercise can cause you to wake up with a crick in your neck the next day.
Some less frequent causes of a crick in the neck are arthritis, a pinched nerve, or an infection in your body.
Treatments
Luckily, the treatment options for that crick in your neck are fairly straightforward.
So if you have a crick in your neck, there's no reason you have to deal with it any longer than you should.
Here are some of the most popular and effective treatments for a crick in the neck.
Over-The-Counter Pain Medications
OTC pain relievers like Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve can help with pain in your joints.
If you wake up with a crick in your neck, always be sure to eat something before you take a pain pill so you don't do any damage to your stomach lining.
And if you aren't a fan of pain medication, don't worry, there are more options to explore.
Heating Pad Or Rice Sock
Applying heat to the site of your stiff muscles can help loosen them up.
Once your muscles are moving freely, the nerves in your spine can relax and your range of motion should return shortly afterward.
Applying your heat pad to the affected area for 8 to 10 minutes is all it takes in most cases.
If you don't have a heat pad, fill a clean sock with uncooked rice and heat it up in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
The rice sock will have the same effect as the heat pad and will soothe your neck and shoulder area.
Hydrotherapy
Hot water and steam is a great way to massage and relax your neck. Standing under a hot shower with the jets massaging your neck is sometimes enough to get your muscles moving freely again.
Visiting a steam room or taking a long hot bath will produce the same results.
Stretching
Gentle stretching can free the nerves in your neck from the stiff muscles that surround them.
Carefully and slowly rock your head from side to side before rolling your head forward and feeling the tension of gravity on your neck as you circle your head around.
You can also try lying down flat on your back, raising your arms to shoulder level, and slowly moving your head from side to side.
Taking slow deep breaths and moving carefully through these stretches will be key to relieving your stiff muscles.
If you feel any sharp pains while you're stretching, stop immediately to avoid pulling a muscle and making your discomfort even worse.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is another excellent option to get rid of that crick in your neck and keep it away.
Most of the time, these home remedies will work, but if they don't, your chiropractor can definitely help.
Your chiropractor will give you a thorough exam assessing the crick in your neck, and then develop a treatment program that will rid you of your pain.
They can also suggest ways you can improve your posture and lifestyle habits to prevent future neck stiffness.
If you don't have a chiropractor, reach out to the Car Wreck Doctor. Don't let their name fool you, they will refer you to a chiropractor that can finally get rid of that crick in your neck.
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