BACK PAIN CLINIC
It happens to all of us at some point- a stiff or sore neck causes us a great deal of pain and makes it difficult to perform even the simplest tasks. When you are suffering from neck pain, you’d do just about anything to get relief. Chiropractic and massages therapy can help greatly and fortunately, there are a few things you can do at home to help ease with neck pain, but there is some confusion around whether to apply heat or ice to your neck as part of your neck pain treatment.
We are here to clear up the confusion and answer the heat vs. ice question once and for all!
Should I use Ice or Heat?
The short answer to whether you should use heat or ice on your neck pain is…both. But not at the same time. It is generally recommended that you use ice on your neck for the first 24 to 48 hours after sustaining the injury in order to reduce any swelling. After that, you should apply heat, which is great for loosening those tense neck muscles and improve the range of motion in your stiff neck.
Remember to Use in Moderation
When using ice or heat on your neck, it’s always good to remember these important guidelines: keep the ice pack or heating pad on the affected area for only about 20 minutes at a time, followed by 40 minutes without the ice or heat. Additionally, you should always put a towel around the ice pack or heat source so you don’t accidentally burn your skin.
Neck pain can be excruciating regardless of the severity of your injury. Whether your neck hurts due to whiplash from a major car accident or you just tweaked it out of place in your sleep, it is crucial that you take care of your neck injury and take it easy for a couple of days. Because your neck is such a vital part of your body, it is best not to take on any strenuous activities or do anything unnaturally stressful while you are recovering.
Let’s Start your Neck Pain Treatment Today!
If your neck pain has not improved with home care, now may be the time to visit Dr. Still and his staff of friendly professionals at Family Chiropractic Care. Contact Family Chiropractic today to schedule a consultation appointment, so you can get back to feeling like your old self and be free from neck pain!