5 Daily Tips To Reduce Neck Stiffness

A stiff neck can be frustrating and uncomfortable. Although a stiff neck seems like a minor issue, it can often interfere with your daily activities or prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. With the rise of technology in the workplace and at home, the number of people experiencing stiff necks has increased dramatically. Some common causes of neck stiffness can be poor posture, stress, clenched jaws, and repetitive neck motions. Here are some daily tips to help you reduce neck stiffness.

Remind yourself to stretch. While working or watching something on your phone, your neck can get stuck in one position for a long period of time. Remind yourself to stretch and move your neck around to release some of the tension.

Create a functional workspace. Many people work at seated desk positions every day. Without the proper workspace, this can create an unwanted stiff neck! To help fix this issue, adjust your chair into a comfortable position and make sure to use good posture. Your back should be straight, and your arms should be level with your desk.

Adjust your sleep position. Although changing your sleep position can seem bothersome, it may be the solution to relieve your stubborn neck stiffness! Sleeping on your side or back takes the strain off your neck.

Apply ice or heat daily. Coming up with a routine to use ice for twenty minutes a day can relieve neck inflammation and reduce stiffness. After using ice for a few days, switch to heat!

Find a way to reduce stress. Sometimes neck stiffness is caused by stress and not postural issues. Try relieving your stress by trying options like meditation or yoga.

Consider physical therapy. If none of the above solutions seem to help your neck stiffness, consider visiting a physical therapy office. Physical therapists can assess your situation and give you personalized exercises to help reduce the pain. Therapy will also help strengthen your neck muscles, so the stiffness does not reoccur.

If you think that you should consult a professional about your neck stiffness, sign up for a complementary consultation with one of our physical therapists and pain specialists. Click here to fill out a short form and we will contact you!