When it comes to the different types of pain that you can experience, there is little that is more annoying and inhibiting than the phenomenon of neck pain. There are a number of factors that can contribute to neck pain. Single events, such as trauma like whiplash, can contribute to the problems in your neck, but other things can also cause it, such as your diet, your posture, emotional stress and vascular diseases. As annoying as neck pain is, there are a number of simple ways in which you can manage your neck pain day-to-day.

Stretching

Stretching is perhaps one of the best things that you can possibly do to relieve any neck pain that you experience, not to mention that it is also very easy. Start off by tilting your head over to the right side of your shoulders. Put your right hand on the left side of your head while simultaneously placing your left hand onto your left shoulder. Now pull your head over to right shoulder. You should be able to feel a nice stretching effect on your left side. Now, switch sides and repeat the action. It is recommended that you perform this stretch ten consecutive times. This will help to loosen your muscles and will eventually serve to alleviate the pain that you have been experiencing.

Manage Stress

The pain that you often experience is not just the aggregate of physical ailments, but rather, can be due to the fact that you are emotionally stressed. There are plenty of ways that you can manage the stress that you experience in your day-to-day life.

For example, activities such as yoga and meditation can help you in this regard. Yoga is also great for alleviating neck pain since you will be performing stretching motions that will serve to simultaneously strengthen and loosen your muscles. It is also recommended that you receive adequate sleep in order to manage your stress and emotional turmoil.

Replace Your Pillow Every Six Months

Pillows are not just in place to provide comfort to your body, but they also help to strengthen your neck and maintain your sense of posture. However, over time, your pillow will flatten out and lose its shape, which means that it will not provide an adequate sense of support for your neck as well as the rest of your body.

For this reason alone, it is recommended that you change out your pillow for a brand new one at least every six months. However, if you have found that your pillow is losing shape before that time, it is probably time to invest in a new one. It is recommended that you purchase a strong pillow that provides more than adequate support to your neck in order to alleviate any neck pain that you might be experiencing.

Keep Your Neck Covered

Believe it or not, excessive wind and cold can actually contribute to the pain that you experience. During the winter, it is highly recommended that you keep your neck covered in order to alleviate or prevent yourself from experiencing any pain. Cover up your neck using a scarf or a turtleneck sweater if you have had neck pain or have suffered from an explicit neck injury. If you are not comfortable with either of these options, it is recommended that you flip up the collar on your coat during these months.

Neck pain can be an annoying and even debilitating phenomenon. These few tips will provide you with enough ammunition to combat the demon that is neck pain. If you find you are experiencing pain that you can't control, you should contact a chiropractor, like those at University Physical Medicine, for help.