5 Lesser Known Tips for Easing Neck Pain

If you live with chronic neck pain, you've probably tried ice, heat pads, and over-the-counter medication, but for some people, the common treatment methods don't always help as much as we'd like. Treating neck pain sometimes involves other, lesser known treatment methods. Read on to learn more about these 5 lesser known ways for treating neck pain. Finding what works best for you may take some time to try each one.

1 - Visit a Physical Therapist

Most people think physical therapy is only used to recover from surgery or an accident, but it can also help with things like persistent neck pain. Physical therapists can help by working on your posture and strengthening your neck. Consult your doctor to see if your neck pain might be improved with visits to a physical therapist.

2 - Swimming

Swimming is a great exercise for most people. But it's especially useful for people that suffer from some type of chronic pain because it is a low impact exercise. Time spent in the water reduces the weight on your spine. Ask your doctor or physical therapist about recommendations on which swimming exercises you should be trying.

3 - Meditation

Sometimes, simply finding a time and place for some gentle relaxation can improve chronic neck pain. One of the most commonly used types of meditation involves controlled breathing exercises. There are many free online sources that teach various different breathing exercises.

4 - Use Proper Posture When Using a Phone or Tablet

Hunching over and constantly looking down at a phone or tablet can be a common cause for chronic neck pain. If you think this may be contributing to your discomfort, try limiting the amount of free time you spend using one of these devices, or try holding the device up higher so that you neck is in a neutral position. You can also try taking regular breaks, stand up, walk around, and stretch your neck.

5 - Try a Chair that Supports your Neck

If you work in an office, or sit for long periods throughout the day, hunching forward places extra stress on your spine. A neck-supporting chair helps to fix this issue by keeping your head and neck in a neutral position, which may help to reduce neck pain.