18 Effective Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Stiff Neck

You must have faced this situation when you get up in the morning and unable to move your neck. The stiff neck feels irritating as you can’t move it in any direction and you are in deep pain.

Don’t worry if you are searching for a solution then you are at a right place. Discover the home remedies to get rid of a stiff neck.

It normally happens when you sleep in an incorrect and uncomfortable position or sit in a particular position for a long time.

You get up and feel like you must have done some adventurous thing in the dream that is leading to this severe pain in the neck. If this is the case with you, then you are facing the problem of Stiff-Neck.

What Is Stiff-Neck?

Stiff-Neck is the situation when your neck gets stuck; you feel like you can’t move your neck in sideways anymore, it is hurting in your neck and which is also leading to pain in arms, shoulders as well.

There are various causes for Stiff-Neck, which are the following.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Stiff-Neck

1. Massage – Relaxing

It is a very relaxing and effective remedy for the stiffed neck. Massage helps in relaxing the muscles and increase the circulation of blood in the body.

Things You Need

Any oil or cream like pine, lavender, rosemary, etc.

Procedure To Be Followed

• Take a bath or shower with hot water. Bath relaxes you.
• Warm the oil that you have taken for the massage.
• Apply this warm oil over the affected area.
• Gently massage over the complete neck especially where it is straining.
• If you can’t do it yourself, then you can take the help of any friend or a professional therapist.

This massage is very helpful for curing the strain of stiffed neck.

2. Neck Exercises

Neck exercises are also very helpful for the relief in stiff-neck.

Things You Need

A friend or a professional who can see that you are doing it right.

Procedure To Be Followed

• Relax your body and sit straight.
• Move your head forward (towards the chest) and then backward (towards the sky). Repeat these motions again and again for some minutes.
• Move you head towards your left shoulder and then towards your right shoulder. Repeat this procedure again and again for few minutes.
• Now roll your neck in complete revolutions but slowly and carefully.

3. Cold Compress

Cold temperature is helpful for relieving the pain as cold temperature decreases the build-up of the lactic acid which is necessary for the metabolism to work properly in your body.

Things You Need

• Crushed ice
• Towel or a poly bag

Procedure To Be Followed

• Crush some ice and wrap it in a towel or a poly bag.
• Hold this over the area of the neck which is stiffed for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Repeat this every 2 hours in the first 48 hours of the stiff neck.

Note: You can also use a bag of chilled peas in place of crushed ice.

Note: Never use ice directly over the skin.

4. Heat Therapy

Heat therapy increases the blood flow in the body, so stiffness in the body and so in the neck decreases. Hence, heat therapy helps to cure the stiffed neck.

Things You Need

Hot water bottle or hot wrap

Procedure To Be Followed

• Apply this hot compress over the area which is hurting.
• Hold this for some time i.e. for 10 to 15 minutes.
• You can also stand in the hot shower for 15-20 minutes. Be careful with your neck. Don’t move it much. Repeat it two to three times a day.

4. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is made up of a chemical compound magnesium sulphate. This compound regulates the movement of enzymes and improves blood circulation. So, it helps in reducing stiff-neck.

Things You Need

• Epsom salt – 2 cups
• A bathtub full of warm water

Procedure To Be Followed

• Add two cups of Epsom salt in the bucket full of warm water.
• Enter in this bathtub till neck and relax for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Repeat this 2-3 times a week.

Note: Don’t do this if you have kidney problems or diabetes.

5. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil contains methanol that soothes the stiffed muscles so; it is helpful in the treatment of stiff-neck.

Things You Need

• Peppermint oil
• Olive oil
• Warm water

Procedure To Be Followed

There Are Two Ways To Use Peppermint Oil

1^st way:

• Warm two teaspoons of olive oil for few seconds.
• Add few drops of peppermint oil in this olive oil.
• Massage your stiffed neck with this mixture of warm oil.
• Use this treatment for two times a day.

2^nd way:

• Add few drops of peppermint oil in the cold water.
• Soak a washcloth in this mixture.
• Place this washcloth over the affected area for almost 20 minutes.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar To Treat Neck Stiffness

Apple Cider Vinegar possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are helpful in the treatment of stiffed neck.

There Are Two Ways To Be Treated By Apple Cider Vinegar

1^st way:

Things You Need

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Tissue Paper

Procedure To Be Followed

• Soak tissue paper in the Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Place this tissue paper over the affected area.
• Do it for some minutes.
• Repeat this two times a day.

2^nd way:

Things You Need

• Apple Cider Vinegar – 2 Cups
• The bathtub full of warm water

Procedure To Be Followed

• Put two cups of apple cider vinegar in the bathtub containing warm water.
• Soak yourself in this bathtub till neck.
• Rest in this bathtub for 15 minutes.

7. Cayenne Paper

It contains anti-inflammatory properties which are helpful for curing stiffed neck. It reduces pain as well.

There Are Three Ways In Which Cayenne Paper Can Be Used Which Are:

1^st way:

Things you need:

• Cayenne Paper – 1 teaspoon
• Olive oil – 2 tablespoons

Procedure to be followed:

• Warm two tablespoons of olive oil.
• Add one teaspoon of cayenne in it.
• Apply this to the stiffed neck.
• Cover the portion with the cloth.
• Leave it for a few hours.

2^nd way:

Things You Need:

• Crème or oil having cayenne paper as its main ingredient

Procedure To Be Followed:

• Massage the strained portion with this crème or oil.

3^rd way:

Things You Need:

• Cayenne paper

Procedure To Be Followed:

Add cayenne paper to your food stuff. This will effect fast.

8. Turmeric

It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that are helpful for the treatment of stiffed neck. It also improves blood circulation in the body.

There Are Various Ways To Use Turmeric Which Are:

1^st way

Things You Need:

• Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
• Milk – 1 cup
• A little honey

Procedure To Be Followed:

• Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to the milk.
• Heat it at low fire for almost 5 minutes.
• Cool it for some time and then add honey to it.

2^nd way

Turmeric can be consumed in the food items.

3^rd way:

Turmeric can be consumed in tablet form or as a capsule but only after consulting a doctor.

Note: This treatment is not for those who suffer from gallstones or a bile duct obstruction.

9. Acupressure

Acupressure is helpful for curing stiffed neck. Special pressure is applied in this to provide relief from the pain. Itis normally used when the stiff neck is caused by the improper posture of the body.

10. Use Balm

A balm is also helpful for curing stiffed neck. Apply balm over the area which is paining and see the result.

11. Skin Scraping

Skin scrapping increases the blood circulation and helps in the treatment of stiffed neck.

Things You Need:

• Massage Oil
• A spoon

Procedure To Be Followed:

• For this treatment, you need the help of some other person. You cannot do it yourself.
• Put the massage oil over the skin and scrap the skin of the neck with the help of the spoon.
• Make sure; it is not increasing your pain in the muscles.

12. Celery Leaves

Celery Leaves give you relief from the pain of a stiff neck.

Things You Need:

• Celery leaves
• Juicer

Procedure To Be Followed:

• Blend the celery leaves and take the juice out of it.
• Drink this juice daily.
• This will give you relief from the severe pain of stiffed neck.

13. Horseradish

It is also very helpful in providing relief from the stiffed neck. You need to apply horseradish over the stuffed neck and leave it for few minutes.

Note: It must not be applied for the larger time. It can lead to burning of the skin.

14. Homemade Analgesics

Homemade Analgesics is helpful to get rid of the severe pain of the stiffed neck.

Things You Need:

• Coconut oil – 2 tablespoons
• Beeswax – 1 tablespoon
• Peppermint oil – 5 drops
• Eucalyptus oil – 5 drops

Procedure To Be Followed:

• Take two tablespoons of coconut oil and one tablespoon of beeswax.
• Warm them over the medium heat.
• Add five drops each of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil and keep it for cooling.
• Massage you neck with this prepared mixture few times a day.
• Keep the prepared mixture in airtight container for future use.

15. Cervical Collar

You can use the cervical collar for some days to protect yourself from the stiffed neck. You should consult a physician related to how much time you should wear it.

16. Methanol

It is a herb that possesses a cooling effect, and it provides relief from severe pain. It can be used in the form of the cream or a balm to get relief from the severe pain of stiffed neck.

17. Camphor

Camphor increases the blood circulation and reduces the swelling so warms the area where it is applied in the form of cream or balm. It is helpful to get rid of the stiffed neck.

18. Vervain Tea, Valerian Root, and St. Johns Wort

These are the herbs that are effective for the stiff neck. Boil these herbs and put them in the cloth and provide warm compress to your neck with these boiled herbs.

Causes Of Stiff-Neck

1. Sleeping In An Awkward Position

Sometimes you sleep in an awkward position like on one side, or you sleep on the chair or other postures that are not comfortable then this can lead to strain in your neck and can lead to the stiffed neck.

2. Improper Posture At Work

If you work on computers or laptops, or you need to sit in the same chair for the complete day, then these improper postures of your body can also cause the problem of a stiff neck.

3. Injury

Injury can be a major reason for the stiffed neck. If you have faced an accident or sports injury near your neck portion or that have affected your neck muscles, then this situation can also lead to the stiff neck.

4. Emotional Stress

Emotional stress can also be a reason for a stiffed neck. When you are under stress, then it can cause stiff neck

5. Osteoarthritis

This condition can appear to you due to wear and tear of the joints of body parts. This normally occurs with age. This leads to stiffness in various joints of the body including the neck.

6. Pillows

Pillows can also be a reason for a stiffed neck. If you use a pillow that does not give you support or use too many pillows, then this can lead to stiffness in the neck.

7. A Forceful Sneeze

That must be funny, but yes this can also be the reason for the stiffness in the neck. When you sneeze with a lot of force, then the sudden jerk in the neck can also lead to a stiff neck.

These are the various causes of a stiff neck.

Symptoms Of Stiff Neck

• If you are not able to move your neck to various sides.
• Pain in the neck, shoulders and upper portion of the back.
• Stiff-neck sometimes also lead to a headache.
• Muscles spasm in the muscles of the neck and the upper portion of the back.
• If you feel uncomfortable while sleeping.
• Fever can also be accompanied with stiff-neck.

Is Stiff-Neck A Serious Problem?

No, Stiff-Neck is not a very serious problem. It occurs normally, and it occurs to every human at least once in the lifetime. It is needed to be corrected very soon as it leads to severe pain, makes you irritable, you can’t do your work properly, you don’t feel active and energetic. So, there is a need to cure it as early as possible.

When Is There A Need To See A Doctor?

a) If The Pain Is Not Going

Sometimes you think the pain in the neck is the symptom of the stiff neck, but it can be because of some serious problem like the slipped disc of your spine. So, if your pain is not going away from the past few days then go and consult the doctor.

b) Check The level Of Anxiety

Sometimes anxiety is the reason of stiffed neck. If this is the reason, then go and consult some doctor or counselor to check the level of anxiety in your body and get treatment for that.

c) If You Notice Severe Symptoms Like

• Fever
• Chest pain
• Nausea and dizziness
• Vomiting

Then go and consult a doctor as the stiff neck is the symptom for very serious problem meningitis.

What  Should Be And Should Not Be Done When You Are Suffering From Stiff Neck?

• Get sleep of at least 7 to 8 hours daily. This will help your body to recover soon.

• Must not sleep on your stomach. Sleep on the back or any of the sides.

• Don’t use the pillow at least for some days. Try to sleep without the pillow.

• Your mattress must be as much firm that it is providing complete support to your neck and spine.

• Don’t drive if you have stiffed neck as it can increase the problem.

• Do not put a strain on the muscles of the neck. It can increase the problem.

• Take care of your posture while sitting and standing especially while changing the postures.

• Take rest from time to time from work to give rest to your neck.

• Must avoid heavy physical exercises. It can increase the pain.

Preventive Measures That You Should Take

1. Take care of your posture when you sleep. You must not sleep in awkward postures.
2. Take care of your posture every time especially during work. Avoid remaining in a single posture for the much larger time.
3. Use a proper pillow while you are sleeping.
4. Take a firm mattress to give full support to your neck.
5. Stress must be avoided.

Final Talk

Take all the preventive measures so that you don’t get the stiff neck and if you are suffering from it then take proper remedy to get rid of it. It is not a very serious problem but doesn’t be careless. Carelessness can lead to a severe problem.