Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Four Tricks to Alleviate Neck Pain


According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), neck pain accounts for roughly 15 percent of chronic pain in American adults. Furthermore, neck pain is believed to affect a startling 45 percent of the workforce. Depending on the severity of the pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prescription painkillers are the most common forms of treatment. Unfortunately, prolonged NSAID use has been shown to cause damage to the stomach, kidneys and liver and may increase the risk of certain cancers, and painkillers can lead to addiction over time. Rather than relying on these potentially hazardous drugs, it's better to seek natural forms of relief for neck pain.



1. Take Vitamin C

Because inflammation is the most common cause of pain, you may be able to benefit from taking large
doses of vitamin C. This vitamin is present in many foods, but usually not in sufficient quantities to
reduce inflammation. Therefore, supplementation is recommended at a dose of one to 1.5 grams (1,000
to 1,500 milligrams) daily.


2. See a Chiropractor

Many people believe a chiropractor to only be a doctor who works on back problems, but they are
actually proficient in treating all of the body's bones, joints and muscles. If you're suffering from neck
pain, it could be from a dislocation, herniated disc or poor spinal alignment, and all of these are things
that a chiropractor can help you with. He or she may also recommend some stretches, exercises or
posture aids that can prevent the problem from recurring. Kirkland chiropractor can help, or you can
find a chiropractor in your area.


3. Stretching
                                                                                                                                                                         
A lot of neck pain is caused by strained or pulled muscles, both of which happen easily if the muscles re tense or tight. In some cases, the muscles or ligaments may even become torn. This is especially common if you have a stressful job or if your work requires you to keep your head bent or turned for extended periods. Take a moment here and there to stretch the muscles of your neck. You may even wish to consider massaging them to loosen them up and improve blood flow.


4. Eat Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne isn't just a delicious way to spice up your food. It's also a great way to ease neck pain! The
constituent in cayenne that makes it hot, called capsaicin, rapidly fights inflammation and improves
blood flow to the affected area. By enhancing blood flow, oxygen and essential nutrients required for
healing and muscle relaxation are able to be delivered more efficiently.

Neck pain can be difficult to deal with on a daily basis. While these remedies can help, it is important
to remember to speak with your doctor if your neck pain is severe.

Do you have any tricks or tips on how to alleviate neck pain? Please add your comments below if
you have any home remedies or treatments that have worked for you. No right or wrong answers, if it
worked for you, it might work for someone else!

No comments:

Post a Comment