You just woke up and found you have extreme neck pain. Does this happen to you frequently? Once this type of neck pain starts, it takes days to go away, and if the root cause is ignored, it can lead to chronic issues such as neck stiffness, constant headaches, muscle spasms, and, possibly, pain can spread to the shoulders.
When it comes to neck pain, one should not ignore it, even if it is in the starting stage, as timely attention and proper care can prevent it from becoming worse. For those trying to understand how to sleep properly with neck pain, the righ treatment approach can make all the difference. Experts like Dr Kishore Kumar Panda has helped many patients overcome such issues and is now sharing his valuable insights on how to sleep properly with neck pain.
Common Causes of Neck Pain During Sleep
It’s not something that suddenly happens overnight. Definitely, there is a root cause behind it, and understanding it is important.
Using a pillow that does not fit your neck
This happens with many people. When you sleep on a pillow that is too high or too flat can force your neck into an uncomfortable position, which consequently leads to neck pain.
Muscle tension
Sometimes, too much stress and anxiety not only affect you mentally, but they also impact your physical health, especially your shoulders and neck.
Sleeping on a poorly aligned mattress
Yes, this may sound like a small thing, but your mattress can also be responsible for your neck pain. Your spine and neck should be in the same alignment while sleeping, but due to poor-quality or sagging mattresses, they just misalign and are responsible for chronic neck pain.
Muscle strain
Long working hours, continuous phone consumption, and heavy exercise can create tension in the muscles, which may become worse due to poor sleeping positions.
Your sleeping position
Another main cause is sleeping, such as lying on your stomach, which can keep your neck bent for long hours, creating tension in your neck muscles and joints. As a result, you may wake up with unbearable neck pain.
How to fix neck pain after sleeping wrong?
Various neck pain treatments are available, which you can consider based on your condition. Here are some of them:
Gentle exercise & stretching
This is something you can do to reduce stiffness in your neck muscles. But if you are experiencing extreme pain, then don’t complete all the stretches and exercises; just do what feels comfortable.
Massage therapy
Many patients get huge relief with massage therapy as it reduces muscle stiffness, which further releases spasm, and also improves blood circulation in the affected area.
Ice and heat therapy
Another effective way to reduce neck pain is through applying ice and heat therapy. According to research, applying an ice pack for around 30 minutes can help relieve inflammation. After that, applying a heat pack may relax tight muscles and provide relief.
Prescribed medication
That’s something only a doctor can prescribe for debilitating neck pain. It often becomes necessary when a patient ignores their pain for a long time. Just like hip replacement treatment, over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen and muscle relaxants may be prescribed to help reduce pain and inflammation.
When to see a doctor
Are you still suffering from neck pain even after getting home-based remedies? Is your neck affecting your day-to-day activities? Most cases of neck pain improve on their own, but if it does not go away and starts causing other issues, such as numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, it’s time to consult a doctor immediately. A healthcare expert can first diagnose the root cause and then initiate the right treatment according to your condition.
Don’t be your doctor; it’s always better to consult an experienced specialist like Dr Kishore Kumar Panda, and receive medically appropriate treatment specifically tailored to your condition.
