Severe neck pain can be brought on by an accident, a sudden injury, a health condition or stress. If you are experiencing severe neck pain, you should identify the underlying cause of the condition first. Visit your general practitioner or a chiropractor to identify what is causing your neck pain before you try any remedies.
After an Accident or Injury
When you injure yourself or you are in an accident, your muscles can become ultrasensitive and tense. If you have ruled out spinal injuries after seeing a doctor, you can turn to basic treatments to alleviate pain while you heal. A heat pack may reduce muscle spasms---heat it in a microwave for a few minutes and apply it to your neck and surrounding muscles for 10 to 15 minutes. Cold ice packs can be used to diminish muscular swelling; ice also works as an all-natural anesthetic. If you're not sure if heat or cold would work best for your injury, consult your doctor.
Devil's Claw
Devil's claw is an herbal supplement that can be consumed to diminish neck pain. Devil's claw works equally well to diminish conditions with muscular inflammation, too; this herb has been used to treat arthritic conditions, osteoarthritis, and other bodily aches and pains. The use of devil's claw can actually lower your need for prescribed pain medications; the herb has iridoid glycosides in it that are anti-inflammatory agents. Take 600 to 1200 milligrams three times daily for pain relief. The herb is also available as a tea; steep 4 g. of devil's claw in hot water and strain the tea before drinking. You can drink the tea up to three times per day.
Chiropractic Treatments
Especially after a car accident, consult a qualified chiropractor who can treat your injury using spinal manipulation. Spinal adjustments involve attempting to realign the spine to help alleviate painful conditions and improve overall health. Several visits might be required for a full chiropractic assessment and for the spinal adjustments to fully work.
A chiropractor will realign your spine by positioning you on a table and moving the vertebrae slowly and gently back into the correct position. During the first appointment, your chiropractor will typically take X-rays to assess the condition of your spine. Chiropractic treatments can be very helpful because sometimes an injury that feels like a muscle strain is actually caused by the dislocation of a vertebra.
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