- A painful neck is thought to be caused by sleeping in awkward position, using a computer keyboard for a prolonged period of time or sitting in a draught.
- Take regular doses of paracetamol, ibuprofen, or a combination of the two, to control pain. Rub on ibuprofen gel if you don’t like taking tablets.
- Try holding a hot-water bottle or heat pack to your neck, taking care not to burn yourself. This can help reduce the pain and any muscle spasms.
- Sleep on a low, firm pillow at night. Using two pillows at night can be harmful because they may force your neck to bend unnaturally.
- Avoid driving until the pain and stiffness have gone. You will not be able to turn your head to see traffic or reverse and it could be dangerous.
- Try some simple neck exercises – gently tense your neck muscles as you tilt your head up and down and from side to side.
- See your doctor if the pain or stiffness does not improve after a few days or if you cannot control the pain with ordinary painkillers.
Hannah McLaren I've worked at DC Thomson for six years! I began as an intern at My Weekly and The Scots Magazine, which was extended by a few months to help out at The People's Friend. I then covered maternity as Celebrity Editor for My Weekly, before I became Multimedia Journalist at The Scots Magazine. Currently I'm writing digital content across each title.
