If you’ve ever slept funny, you’ll know the pain of a cricked neck.
Of course, there are other reasons for neck pain, and it can be quite persistent. But there’s no need to go running straight to the chiropractor, there are natural remedies for neck pain that you can try at home!
What is neck pain?
A little anatomy lesson.
The cervical spine refers to the vertebrae located in the neck that serve to support the head.
They play an essential role in your mobility and posture since they allow head and neck movements.
It’s thanks to these seven vertebrae that you can raise your head, lower it, turn right or left, and strain forward when playing racing games.
Sometimes, if you’re unlucky, pain or a stiff neck can spread to other parts of the body, like shoulders, arms or hands.
This symptom can also, in some cases, be accompanied by headaches.
Causes of neck pain
There are several reasons for neck pain, the main ones being muscle tension.
The other most common causes are:
- 💤 Poor posture or positioning when you sleep
- 👷 Poor posture when you work (which isn’t a problem if you have an awesome setup)
- 😩 Moving wrongly (if it’s never happened to you, don’t laugh… it will)
- 🤕 Trauma or physical injury (a blow to the head or fall for example)
- 😖 Whiplash
- 😱 Muscle contractions due to stress or anxiety
- 📱 Excessive use of screens which leads to text neck syndrome
- 🩻 Chronic pathologies such as cervical osteoarthritis
- 🧓 Age-related aging of joints and muscles
The impact of neck pain
Usually, neck pain is painful, but disappears relatively quickly. Everyone’s dealt with it at some point, and the chances are, there’s been no long-term bad effects.
But when acute neck pain strikes it can make everyday tasks difficult. Anything from turning your head, to driving, to beating Sephiroth can cause discomfort.
When this becomes too much, neck strain can result in other symptoms such as:
- 🤯 Headaches
- 😵💫 Dizziness
- 😢 Back pain
- 😴 Sleep disorders
- 😶🌫️ Blurry vision
- 🥱 Fatigue
- 😠 Bad Mood – being in pain makes you irritable!
Luckily, there are some natural remedies for neck pain to help relieve discomfort until you can go and see a doctor or masseuse.
6 Natural remedies for neck pain
1. Green clay 💚
This is an old but effective remedy known for easing neck pain with its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
It acts directly on the muscles and bones to reduce tension and aches by re-mineralizing the joints. It’s also used in lots of skincare routines so your neck will look better than ever too.
How to make green clay:
To make a green clay poultice, mix a little powdered clay with lukewarm water until completely blended.
Apply the paste in a thick layer (2-3 centimeters) to your neck and leave it to act for approximately 20 minutes.
2. Essential oils 🫒
Certain essential oils can be powerful and restorative.
And we don’t mean restorative like Dragon Balls.
Essential oils are known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic properties which relax tight muscles and reduce tension.
To treat neck stiffness or pain, try these essential oils:
- Camphor rosemary for an immediate effect. A local anesthetic, Camphor acts directly on muscle tension.
- Lemon eucalyptus for its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and anti-spasmodic properties.
- Arnica to relax muscle contractures.
- Peppermint for its soothing and refreshing properties. Its analgesic effect helps reduce pain.
- Wintergreen: Very effective at providing quick relief for muscle strain and joint pain
- Lavender: Contains soothing properties that act on stress and relieve muscular tension.
How to use essential oils:
Don’t just rub pure essential oil on your skin. It won’t feel very nice and it’s not good for you. Essential oil should always be diluted with a carrier oil like almond, coconut or olive oil.
We recommend one drop of essential oil for 4 drops of carrier oil.
Important note: Do not use essential oils if pregnant or on children. In these cases, always seek a medical professional’s advice first.
3. Medicinal plants: Blackcurrant and devil’s claw 🌿
🫐 Blackcurrant relieves tension
Blackcurrant is a popular flavor, but did you know it’s also really good for you? Not just 1-of-your-5-a-day good for you, it’s also good for neck pain.
Blackcurrant is an antirheumatic with anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants making it effective in relieving some of the pain caused by joint or muscular disorders.
How to use:
You can pick up and eat blackcurrants as is (although you should definitely wash them first), or infuse them to enjoy them as a hot drink, food supplement or even as a glass of juice.
🌺 Devil's claw, medicinal plant superstar
Also known as harpagophytum by experts and your insufferable all-knowing friend (we all have one), helps relieve osteoarthritis pains.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory nature, it helps support joints and muscles.
As a natural reliever, it also helps relieve the aches that can accompany neck pain.
How to use devil’s claw:
Devil’s claw can be enjoyed as a herbal tea, taken in a tablet, or as an ointment applied directly to the problem area.
4. Epsom salt 🧂
Epsom salt is rich in sulfate and magnesium, helping to relieve inflammation and promote muscle relaxation.
How to use:
To help relax tight, sore muscles, pour a large cup of Epsom salt into your bath and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Then tell everyone you had a spa day.
5. Heat therapy 🔥
Used since cavemen discovered fire (probably), heat relieves tension, relaxing your muscles.
It is very effective for the treatment of pain and promotes neck muscle relaxation while increasing blood circulation.
How to use:
Hot water bottles, towels soaked in hot water, hot compresses, or pain-relieving heat patches are all effective ways of relieving neck pain. You can also try a hot bath, sauna, stealing all the covers…
Give a few different ways a go with this home remedy, and see what heat technique best suits your muscles and reduces pain the most.
6. Cold therapy❄️
You might be Katy Perry and like a bit of hot and cold. Both are effective natural remedies for neck pain.
If your neck is inflamed, get it cold as quickly as possible to help decrease swelling and soothe sensitive neck tissue.
Cold on the cervical region helps reduce inflammation and control pain in a natural way.
If you’re able to use cold 1-2 days before applying your relaxing hot compress, the latter will have a better impact on reducing aches and tension.
How to use:
The easiest method is to wrap ice cubes or frozen peas in a towel and apply it to the back of your neck for a few minutes at a time.
Then cook for 10 minutes on the hob and you can have dinner ready too.
(The peas, not your neck)
Bonus tips for naturally relieving neck pain
In addition to our marvelous home remedies for neck pain, there are also some preventative steps you can take to make it less common in the first place.
Try:
- 💆 Practicing self-massage: This is a quick and effective method! Sit or lie down comfortably and then make small circular movements with your fingers across the base of your neck. Repeat the movement until the pain disappears (or at least lessens).
- 🥦 Adopting a balanced diet: Opt for a good diet of anti-inflammatory foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits, those rich in vitamins and antioxidants (broccoli, cabbage, red fruits), fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) which will provide you with necessary omega 3, vegetable oils (flax, rapeseed, etc.) and spices with anti-inflammatory properties (turmeric and ginger). Try to avoid as many pro-inflammatory foods as possible (processed products, refined cereals, sugary drinks, alcohol, etc.) which can aggravate symptoms.
- 🏊 Playing sports: Physical activity is beneficial for your health and also works for neck pain. To strengthen the neck muscles, you can opt for gentle sports such as swimming, yoga, brisk walking and cycling.
- 🛏️ Choosing good bedding: A bad pillow or mattress can lead to neck pain. So, pay close attention to the model you choose. Check that it supports your head and neck well and avoid models that are too flat or too thick. Also, where possible, choose a firm mattress to support your spine.
- 🤸 Doing neck exercises and stretching: Muscle strengthening exercises are very good for reducing neck pain and making the muscles more flexible. If you can, consider stretching your neck and shoulder muscles every morning and evening for a few minutes.
- 🧘 Relaxing with meditation: Did you know that stress plays an important role in the manifestation of neck pain? As it disrupts the body, it can contribute to the appearance of chronic inflammation. To prevent this, you can try practicing meditation to improve concentration and reduce your stress level.
- 🫸 Paying attention to your posture: “Stand up straight!” as your grandma would say. Avoid hunched over positions and keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed as much as possible. Ergonomic chairs for daily office use are helpful in keeping a relaxed but good posture.
- 🖥️ Using a screen at the right height: Time spent on screens only makes neck pain worse. When working on your computer, make sure your screen is at the right height and when you're on your phone, place it at face level rather than lowering your head. And of course, remember to filter artificial blue light with our screen glasses: it would be a shame to escape neck pain just to fall into the arms of digital eye strain.
- 🚶 Limiting prolonged positions: By remaining static for a long period, you risk encouraging neck pain. Whether sitting or standing, try not to stay in the same position for too long and take regular breaks to relax your muscles.
Neck pain: When to see a doctor or physical therapist
With these preventative measures and home remedies for neck pain, you have the tools to make quicker work of aches and pains than Abby does of Joel in The Last of Us 2 (too soon?).
However, if symptoms persist despite your best efforts, or you experience chronic neck pain, we strongly advise you to consult a health professional. This is especially important:
- ⏳ If the pain does not disappear or gets worse after a week
- 🤔 If the pain occurs for no apparent reason
- ⚪ If you feel a lump in your neck
- 🤒 If you experience fever, nausea or vomiting
- 🐜 If you feel tingling in your limbs
- 🫁 If you have trouble breathing or swallowing
The doctor will be able to explore any potential reasons and prescribe appropriate treatment for neck pain relief, such as chiropractic care.
If the pain is caused by an accident you’ve been in, you should definitely visit a doctor immediately to check there are no internal injuries contributing to the neck pain.
Home made remedies for neck pain: Final thoughts
Neck pain has many causes, from poor posture to injury, to excessive screen use.
Most of the time it’s not a sign of anything serious, but prolonged neck pain is a sign to visit a doctor and investigate for underlying causes.
But before doing that, you can try these natural remedies for neck pain and see if they help relieve symptoms.
Try essential oils, green clay, medicinal plants, Epsom salt, and hot or cold treatments and stave off all pains in the neck. Except for the ones you live with.
