Stiff neck, while not a serious medical problem, will disturb daily activates and make sleeping difficult due to the associated pain. Many people will experience a stiff neck at least once in their lifetime as neck tendons and nerves are a delicate part of the body. Stiff neck is painful and makes it difficult to move the neck and is caused by injury, chronic discomfort, as part of an underlying disease, bad posture, sleeping in an awkward position, exercise straining, and even stress.

1. Cold and Heat Application:
Cold packs relieve neck pain and ease stiff neck by limiting lactic acid buildup. Ice numbs pain and decreases inflammation. Heat compresses tighten muscles and should be applied after cold application and helps to increase blood circulation to the muscles.

Method:
Fill a plastic bag with ice and wrap it in a towel.
Apply to the neck, between the shoulders, or at the base of the head for 20 minutes.
Apply a hot application, such as a hot shower or bath, a heating pad, hot water bottle, or hot towel, for 20 minutes.
Repeat this for thrice a day until you get complete relief from the stiff neck.

Stiff Neck

2. Homemade Analgesic:
For immediate relief from the stiff neck use the balm which contains menthol like coconut oil, beeswax, peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil to create a homemade analgesic to soothe muscles and skin.

Method:
Melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and a tablespoon of beeswax over medium heat.
Add 5 drops of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil.
Let it cool for 5 – 10 minutes.
Apply to the affected area.
Store the balm in a tight container and apply as needed.

3. Proper Herbs Application:
Many herbs treat stiff neck pain in either cream or balm form.
Menthol is an herb that has cooling effect and relieves pain.
Camphor reduces swelling and increases blood circulation, warming the application area.
Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve pain by gently numbing the nerve endings in the application area.
Turmeric heals pain with its natural healing properties.

4. Therapeutic Exercises and Massage:
Stiff neck is quickly relieved by performing tension-releasing exercises. Isometric exercises are performed without actually moving the head. Massaging your neck, either by yourself or with a professional, will relieve stiff neck. Repeat these exercises for 15 minutes, as needed. Be careful not to overexert yourself as doing so may pull a muscle.

5) Therapeutic Exercise:
Nod your head up and down by bringing your chin to your chest and then looking towards the ceiling. If it pains more stop the exercise.
Nod your head from side to side e. tilt your head towards left side and right side to stretch your neck muscles.
Turn your head slowly from left side to right side and vice versa for few minutes. It is very painful but prevents the neck pain