Health Tip: Managing Neck Pain

Keep yourself comfortable

January 27, 2009 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- If you've sustained a minor injury to your neck, there are things you can do to get the pain under control.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions:

Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Apply an ice pack for the first two or three days, followed by a few days of applying heat, such as by taking a hot shower or using a heating pad.
Gently exercise and stretch the neck, with up-and-down and side-to-side motions.
Have someone lightly rub or massage your neck.
Use a neck pillow or no pillow at all when you sleep. A firm mattress will help, too.