Health Tip: Coping With Neck Pain

An injury or sleeping the wrong way can lead to a major pain in the neck.

The American College of Rheumatology suggests these ways to ease neck pain:

• Stay as mobile as possible, and limit the use of a neck brace. Avoid regular exercise, but try to move the neck gradually and slowly in all directions.
• Stretch neck muscles during a shower with the heated water running over your neck.
• Within 48 hours of noticing neck pain, apply ice up to 10 minutes at a time. After 48 hours, apply heat.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or an NSAID.
• Consider massage therapy for chronic neck pain.