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According to statistics, around 10% of people at any given time suffer from neck pain and up to 65% of people at least once in their lifetime.
The most common causes of a blocked cervical spine are excessive exercise, poor sleeping position, sitting in the same position for too long, or a high level of stress.
Today we’ll reveal 9 easy and natural ways to say goodbye to your neck problems forever.
1. For acute pain – an ice pack
Take ice cubes, crush them, put them into a plastic bag, wrap them again in a cotton cloth and then apply it to your neck for approximately 15 minutes.
Ice and cold are the most effective solution for acute swelling because they reduce blood flow to it.
Never apply ice directly to the skin; always put it into something. This evens out the application of cold to the affected area and prevents shock or frostbite.
2. For chronic pain – apply heat
Heat a cotton bag filled with rice or wheat in the microwave for approximately 2 minutes (alternatively on a pan over the fire).
Make sure it’s not too hot so you don’t burn yourself, then apply it to the area where the cervical spine is blocked. Leave it there for 15 minutes.
For best results perform this procedure in the morning after waking up or before exercising. A hot bath also helps, to which you can add Epsom salt.
The magnesium from Epsom salt will help soothe pain in muscles and tendons.
3. Turmeric
You can easily gain the health benefits of turmeric by starting to add it to your meals.
With a stuck vertebra it helps in that it contains strong antioxidants, including anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substances.
So it is not a direct release of the blockage, but a secondary treatment of the resulting pain.
4. Foods rich in vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps reduce pain by stimulating the thickening of the protective layers of nerves. Thus well-insulated nerves will then react less to painful stimuli.
Foods rich in vitamin B12 include meat, seafood, fish, liver, cheeses and eggs. An alternative is its supplementation with dietary supplements.
Also be aware that vitamin B12 may not be excessively broken down or poorly absorbed in your body. You can find more information about when this happens in this article.
5. Rotational exercise for a blocked cervical spine
The following exercise consisting of 3 steps will not only eliminate pain but also strengthen the neck muscles.
1. Rotate your neck in a circular motion. Do this 3 times to each side.
2. Tilt your head to the left as far as it will go. Then the same to the right. Repeat the exercise 3 times.
3. Move your neck forward and backward. Again, do this 3 times.
6. Towel exercise
Poor sitting posture and long phone calls are the most common causes of headaches and cervical spine pain.
You can relieve pain caused by muscle strain as follows:
1. Roll up a towel and place it behind your neck. Hold its ends with your hands.
2. Push your head back so that your chin moves closer to your neck (not to your chest).
3. Gently pull the towel to tense the neck muscles.
4. Hold this position until you begin to feel mild fatigue in the muscles.
7. Massage
If you are often troubled by pain caused by a blocked cervical spine, visit a massage therapist.
Massage can work small miracles in releasing stiff muscles, reducing inflammation, and providing pain relief. Massage will also help remove salt deposits in the neck.
8. Acupressure
These 4 acupressure points will help relieve neck pain:
A) Shoulder Well
This point is located on the shoulder as shown in the picture of the woman above left. You will find it between the thumb and the middle finger when you grasp the trapezius muscle.
Apply pressure downward using the index fingers. Massage the spot for 4 to 5 seconds.
B) Gate of consciousness
This point is located on the back part of the neck at the spot where there is a hollow near the skull, as shown in the picture of the man above right.
Massage this area with the thumbs of both hands for 4 to 5 seconds.
C) Zhong Zhu
The Zhong Zhu point is located on the back of the hand between the ring finger and the little finger, as shown in the picture below left.
Apply strong pressure to this point and massage the spot for 4 to 5 seconds.
D) He Gu
The final acupressure point to suppress neck pain is located on the back of the hand between the thumb and the index finger (lower picture on the right).
Apply strong pressure to it and massage it again for 4 to 5 seconds.
9. Lifestyle changes
Many neck problems stem from an unhealthy lifestyle. Making even small changes can sometimes make a big difference in preventing pain.
A) Rest
A blocked cervical spine is often a result of stress from repetitive movements, long periods of sitting at a computer, or sleeping in the wrong position.
As soon as any pain occurs, stop doing the activity you were just doing that likely caused it. Give it a few days of rest (if possible), or at least limit it to a minimum.
Neck pain often heals on its own within a few days if you give it the chance. If that doesn’t help, seek professional help.
B) Change your sleeping position
The best sleeping position is on your back. The second best is on your side. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
Do not use more than one pillow and let it be thinner rather than thicker. It is recommended to use an orthopedic pillow. You can also place a smaller pillow under your knees.
Conclusion
Do you also have problems with your cervical spine? If not, then you are a lucky person and definitely share your secrets with us on how you avoid it.
And for those of you whose neck occasionally troubles you, we hope our tips will help. If they do, be sure to incorporate them into your life and do them regularly.
