How to recover from a stiff neck after sleeping as quickly as possible
Disease description:
I woke up this morning with severe neck pain; I must have slept awkwardly. Now I'm afraid to move my neck around—any movement causes pain. It's really uncomfortable. Is there anything I can do to get better quickly?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Cervical sprain is caused by sudden exposure of the neck muscles to cold, improper posture, or local muscle fatigue, leading to neck muscle spasms. Symptoms include neck pain and restricted movement. To recover quickly, you can try the following methods:
1. Local heat application: Apply a hot water bag, warm towel, or electric blanket to the affected area for 15–20 minutes, 2–3 times daily. Heat application helps relieve muscle tension and accelerates blood circulation, thereby reducing pain.
2. Neck massage: Gently massage the painful areas of the neck using your fingertips in a downward and outward direction. Each session should last about 10–15 minutes and be performed 2–3 times daily. Massage helps promote muscle relaxation and further alleviates pain.
3. Adequate rest: Avoid maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods, especially when working with your head down or looking at a mobile phone. Allow sufficient rest time for the neck muscles.
4. Gentle neck exercises: Once the pain has subsided, perform mild neck movements such as slowly rotating the neck or lateral bending. These exercises help restore flexibility and function of the neck muscles and prevent recurrent cervical sprain.
5. Medication: You may take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, such as ibuprofen capsules, to reduce pain and inflammation.
6. Improve sleeping posture: Use an appropriate pillow that supports the natural curve of the neck. Avoid pillows that are too high or too low to reduce the risk of recurrent cervical sprain.
