How to Get Rid of a Stiff Neck

With so many of us gazing into computers or staring down at our smartphones most of the day, it’s no wonder we’re having neck pain. In fact, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2018 National Health Interview Survey found that 16.1% of adults experienced neck pain within the past three months.

A stiff neck typically develops when your muscles weaken over time from poor posture or misuse, says chiropractor Andrew Bang, DC. “When your neck muscles become weak and you try to turn your head, the joint no longer moves smoothly because it’s now out of place,” Dr. Bang says. “Often the joint catches on something, either pulling a muscle or hitting the nerve irregularly, or maybe both.”

“Then you’ll have instant pain and your body has a protective spasm. Your body doesn’t want you to get hurt more, so it will clench, causing you to feel like you can’t even move — and leaving you wondering what you did to injure yourself.”

Looking down at your computer monitor all day can cause the muscles around the neck joints to tire and become overstretched. Driving for long periods of time, as well as looking at your smartphone, can have the same effect. And doing this day after day can add up and displace your neck joints.

Stiff neck remedies to try

For minor, common causes of neck pain, try these simple remedies:

Apply heat or ice to the painful area

Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat after that. Heat may be applied with warm showers, hot compresses or a heating pad. Be sure not to fall asleep with a heating pad or ice bag in place to avoid skin injuries.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers

Doctors recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Keep moving

However, avoid jerking or painful activities. This helps calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation.

Gentle massage

Have a partner gently massage the sore or painful areas. When doing this, communication is key. Have your partner try a variety of techniques until they land on one that feels good.

“You’ll want them to say, ‘How does this feel? Do you want more or less pressure?’ That’s what a massage therapist will do,” says Dr. Bang. “Then keep adapting until you both find the sweet spot.”

No matter what technique you choose, however, he advises that any massage movements should be directed toward the heart. This matches the way the blood flows in your veins, the bluish-purple lines visible under your skin. Too much pressure going in the wrong direction, away from your heart, has the potential to damage a valve.

Make sure you have the proper mattress or pillow

Try sleeping on a firm mattress without a pillow or with a special neck pillow.

Use a soft neck collar

Ask your healthcare provider about using a soft neck collar to relieve discomfort. Don’t use the collar for a long time. Doing so can make your neck muscles weaker.

Stretches to help a stiff neck

The key to relief for a stiff neck is proper stretching and manipulation, Dr. Bang says. Doing slow range-of-motion exercises, up and down, side to side, and from ear to ear, can help to gently stretch the neck muscles. Certain yoga poses can also help ease stiffness.

Here are some other specific stretches you can try at your desk or in the car that may help you avoid a stiff neck:

• Roll your shoulders backwards and down 10 times.
• Squeeze your shoulder blades together 10 times.
• Push your head backwards into your car head rest or hands and hold for 30 seconds.
• Bring your ear to your shoulder 10 times on each side.

Tips to prevent neck pain

Here are some ways to prevent neck pain that comes with a stiff neck.

Be mindful of your sleep positions

Dr. Bang says if your neck is bothering you, you should pay attention to your sleep positions. Sleep only on your side or on your back – never on your stomach, he says.

“When you sleep on your stomach, often you will end up twisting your head one way or the other for hours at a time,” Dr. Bang says. “Sleeping on your stomach also can affect your low back because your belly sinks into the bed if you don’t have enough support.”

Practice proper computer posture

To help you avoid neck pain, put your monitor at eye level, sit up straight and avoid tilting and twisting your head down or to the side while you’re on the computer. Also, be sure to take breaks from staring at your screen.

Be mindful of how you’re sitting in the car — or while using your phone

When you’re driving or using your smartphone, be sure to take frequent breaks and avoid having your neck bent forward for long periods of time, Dr. Bang says.

How long does neck pain last?

How long neck pain lasts depends on a variety of factors. This includes what kind of injury caused the acute (or sudden) neck pain—for example, a car accident, a sports injury or a muscle pull from working outside—and how you respond to the injury.

“Many times, symptoms can resolve over a period of months if you stop doing the offending behavior,” says Dr. Bang. “Neck pain from car accidents can last a long time. But if you don’t get in another car wreck, your pain will typically go away over a few months. However, if you don’t change a habit that causes neck pain, like using a computer monitor poorly, it’s going to last.”

If pain persists and gets in the way of your daily activities, or any treatment you try doesn’t seem to be working, further discussion might be necessary. “If you tried some things on your own and after two months it’s not gone away, then it’s probably time to see your doctor to figure out if there’s an underlying issue or if there’s some behavior you need to change.”