Treatment Methods and Home Remedies for Neck Pain Relief
Neck pain treatments can keep you truly present and in the moment, instead of wincing in pain at the slightest head movement. Looking at a menu at your favourite restaurant, putting the last stitches on that embroidery project, even turning to look at your loved one as they walk through the door after a long day – it all is made difficult when your neck hurts. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to neck pain treatments to help you regain your joy of movement.
Neck pain occurs when there is a tear or strain in any of the muscles, ligaments, nerves, or discs that make up your neck, also known as your cervical spine. Neck pain risk factors include, sleeping in an awkward position, overuse, emotional stress, or injury due to an accident or contact sports. It may also be spurred by arthritis or degenerative disc disease.1
If you’re wondering how to get rid of neck pain, read on.
Medicated treatments for neck pain
Sometimes, medicated treatments for neck pain are the way to go, especially if at the onset of neck pain and if neck pain is particularly hampering your ability to get through the day with a smile on your face.
Over-the-counter pain pills2.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or paracetomol, can help relieve neck pain.
Anti-inflammatory gels, such as Voltaren Emulgel.
If you’d prefer to use a topical gel format to taking a pill, these are available in the form of Diclofenac, Ibruprofen. Voltaren Emulgels contain a powerful anti-inflammatory NSAID diclofenac that relieves pain, reduces inflammation, and speeds natural healing so you can regain the joy of turning your neck. With Voltaren Emulgel, pain is reduced by half in just 24 hours*3.
Muscle relaxants.
Your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants short term in order to help resolve your neck pain.
Steroid injections4.
In a small number of cases, your doctor may choose to inject corticosteroids near the nerve root in your cervical spine or directly into the neck muscles in order to relieve severe neck pain.
Surgery5
Surgery is very rarely needed for neck pain.6 However, in rare cases, in can help relieve nerve root or spinal cord compression.
Home remedies for neck pain
Neck pain treatments can often be performed at home, with neck pain resolving itself within a short time as a result of home remedies.
Try these home remedies for neck pain:
- Cold or heat7. Reduce inflammation by applying an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel for up to 20 minutes a day.8 Alternate cold therapy with heat in order to sooth and loosen tight neck muscles. Consider taking a hot shower.
- Stretch: Gently stretching your neck muscles can keep them from seizing up and causing pain. Gently tilt, bend, and rotate your neck to loosen your neck muscles and keep them limber.
- Neck-strengthening exercises: If you’re looking for ways to get rid of neck pain in the long run, consider performing exercises on a regular basis that strengthen your neck muscles. This can help stave off future neck pain. Poor muscle conditioning is a risk factor for muscle strain.9
- Sit comfortably with your shoulders back. Clasp your hands gently behind your head. Press your head firmly backward into your hands. Hold for 30 seconds and release. Perform multiple times to build strength.10
- You can also vary this by moving your head side to side, or up and down, slowly, pausing and slightly stretching at the end of the movement arc.
- A collar: Using a neck collar for a short period of time allows your painful muscles and tendons to rest11.
- Practice good posture: Slouching and rounded shoulders are signs of poor posture. We’re all guilty of it, whether it’s hunching over your phone or slouching on the couch. Particularly for those of us who sit in front of a computer all day, bad posture can be an especially bad habit. Be sure to practice good posture when you are sitting, standing, and walking in order to remedy neck pain.
Here are some posture tips, when it comes to neck pain:
- Keep your cervical spine straight, as if an imaginary string is pulling it up towards the ceiling.
- Pull your shoulders back so they are aligned with your ears. This ensures that the weight of your head is naturally balanced on your cervical spine, instead of straining the neck muscles.12
- See more tips on good posture
- Get a good, supportive night’s rest - Sleep problems increase the risk for a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal pain.13 So, if your neck is feeling a little sore, be sure to set an appropriate bedtime and stick to it. No less important is making sure you use the proper pillows to keep your neck in alignment with your back while you sleep. Your pillows should maintain your neck vertebrae in a straight line with the rest of your spine.
- Take it easy - You know the feeling… You’re worried about an upcoming event and your neck and shoulders feel like a pile of knots. Emotional stress has a way of tensing up the muscles in our back, which can contribute to neck pain.14 If you feel tension building up, see if you can take a night off (is it really worth the impending pain of a sore neck?). Make yourself a cup of hot tea, kick back, and relax.
Voltaren products for neck pain
Can you use Voltaren on your neck? The answer is yes! Voltaren products that can be used to get you turning your head to look at that beautiful sunset (believe us, it’s worth it!) include:
- Emulgels
How does Voltaren work to relieve neck pain
Voltaren Emulgels work by providing 3x more effective pain relief.*15
Voltaren Emulgels are designed to beat intense pain with triple action:
- Relieving pain
- Fighting inflammation
- Speeding recovery
Voltaren Emulgels deliver diclofenac, a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), specially formulated as an Emulgel which penetrates through the skin to the root of your pain.
How to use Voltaren to relieve neck pain
How to use Voltaren for neck pain – everything you need to know when using Voltaren Emulgels to combat your neck pain.
How to use Voltaren Emulgels for neck pain
Here is how to use Voltaren Emulgel for neck pain. It’s easy, we promise!
| Easy Open Cap |
| Tamper evident tabs located on each side of the flip-top cap will break when the cap is opened for the first time. Before first use check if the tamper evident tabs are not broken. |
Just flip the cap lid. Use a finger, thumb, side of your hand or even edge of a table against the underside of the cap lid to open the flip-top cap. Easy peasy! |
- Open your tube of Voltaren Emulgel by twisting off the easy open cap
- Squeeze out an amount ranging in size from a cherry to a walnut, depending on the size of the affected area
- Gently rub into the skin above where you are experiencing body pain
- Apply Voltaren Emulgel as indicated on the label
- Start to regain your joy of movement. Feel better
Voltaren dosage to relieve neck pain
The Voltaren dosage appropriate for neck pain relief depends on the size of the painful area. Voltaren Emulgel delivers diclofenac, a highly effective anti-inflammatory, directly to the source of your pain. That’s why a little bit goes a long way. Apply between a cherry and walnut size amount, depending on the size of your affected area.
How long does Voltaren take to relieve neck pain
For neck pain, Voltaren Emulgels reduce the pain felt upon movement after just one hour of application and cuts pain in half within 24 hours. *16 All of this is not only about pain relief. It’s about being able to connect with those around you and to regain your joy of movement.