Frequent neck pain is an unhappy reality for many people. If you regularly suffer from sore neck muscles, then you know how unpleasant it can be. There are a host of causes that can contribute to neck pain, and many ways to treat neck pain—right in your own home. Heated neck wraps and microwavable neck wraps are a great way to relax muscles for better pain relief. Learn more about the causes of sore neck muscles, and how to treat it with our handy tips below.
Sore neck muscles can make it difficult to move your head, which can be both inconvenient and painful when doing simple daily tasks like working at your desk or driving around town. A sore neck can also lead to more extreme issues like shoulder pain, headaches, or even pain that travels down your arms.
While sore neck muscles usually only take a few days to recover from and aren’t a serious issue, if other symptoms are present it could be an indication that something else is wrong. If this is the case, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Here are a few common causes of neck pain you should be aware of:
Most neck pain from sore neck muscles is not serious and will go away with proper at-home treatment and rest. However, if your sore neck muscles are accompanied by a headache, fever, weight loss, coordination issues, mental changes, or fatigue, seek the help of a physician immediately as it may be an indication of a more serious problem.
There are many at-home treatments you can use to alleviate pain for your sore neck muscles. Even pinched nerves often get better with proper rest and care despite the intense pain that is involved. Here are a few different at-home treatments you can do to ease your sore neck muscles:
Over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory drugs are usually adequate for treating neck pain at home. They reduce inflammation to ease the pain from sore neck muscles. Common examples of anti-inflammatory medications are ibuprofen found in Advil or Motrin, or naproxen which is found in Aleve.
Sometimes sore neck muscles just need a little extra support so they can heal. In these instances, the use of a cervical collar to stabilize your neck can give your muscles a chance to rest and recover.
Low-impact exercises like stretching and walking improve blood circulation throughout your body and help you recover from injuries more quickly. You should avoid activities like weightlifting that could aggravate your sore neck muscles, or activities that are high-impact like running that put additional stress on your neck.
Once you’ve gotten some rest, doing some gentle stretching can really help your neck heal and regain some of your lost mobility. Focus on simple, slow stretches that won’t aggravate your sore neck muscles, like gently turning your head from side to side, or up and down. Remember to take it slow and don’t rush your stretches.
One of the best tips to help heal sore neck muscles is to take time to rest. While you don’t want to rest more than a day or two, getting some good sleep and rest will help your sore neck muscles recover faster.
Another way to relieve sore neck muscles is to use a microwavable neck wrap to apply heat to the area. The heat from a heated neck wrap increases circulation to sore neck muscles and can soothe muscle pain. While there are many benefits to using a heated neck wrap, it’s also important to know how to use one properly. Heated neck wraps should only be used for 15-20 minutes at a time, and should not be used on acute injuries, irritated skin, or open wounds because it can actually slow healing in these cases.
Most sore neck muscles heal on their own within a week or two, but it can take four to six weeks for full recovery. If your sore neck muscles are not getting better and you’ve been treating them for a week or two, it might be time to check in with your doctor to make sure your condition isn’t serious.
Microwavable neck wraps are a great option for people looking to relieve the pain associated with sore neck muscles. Heated neck wraps work by increasing circulation, which allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach the affected area, helping it to heal faster. When heat is applied to areas of chronic pain it loosens muscles and provides an analgesic effect, which makes your brain perceive that your pain has decreased.
The Moji heated neck wrap offers excellent relief for sore neck muscles using moist heat therapy for deeper muscle penetration. There are no cords to fuss with and you can add additional pressure by pulling on the hand straps of your heated neck wrap. Recover faster and reduce pain as you use a heated neck wrap to help your sore neck muscles feel better.
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Living a healthy lifestyle takes commitment and focus. It’s easy to be swayed off course by cravings, sweets cravings and fatty foods, but you know that these will deter you from your goals. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, enhance your endurance, run a marathon or get stronger, eating a balanced, nutritious diet is a must.
Even so, late night snacks are hard to resist sometimes, and if your stomach is rumbling before hitting the hay, you may reach to something quick and easy. Instead of just grabbing whatever is closest at hand, try these nighttime snacks that won’t derail your good eating habits:
Is your daily routine negatively impacted by that relentless ache in your lower back? Can you feel it throbbing for attention as you read this? You’re not alone. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, around 80% of adults suffer from lower back pain at some point in their life.
A century bike ride will take you 100 miles, and it will certainly test your mental and physical prowess. This may seem like a lofty goal, but it’s certainly an achievable one that many endurance cyclists aspire to complete.
Being able to bike 100 miles requires serious commitment, dedication, planning and training. Once you decide to take part in a century ride, you need to starting working at least eight weeks beforehand to prepare your mind and body for the challenge ahead. Your training program should consist of long and short rides as well as intervals of different speeds, resistance levels, terrain and hills. It’s also a good idea to cross training with weight lifting to strengthen your muscles and exercises such as Pilates that provide stretching and improve posture.
Another key component is nutrition. Your body won’t be able to last long if it is not being fueled properly. Even slight dehydration can completely zap your energy levels and cause sore musclesand cramps. If this does happen, giving your muscles a massage can help. Additionally, eating the right amount of carbohydrates and fats is needed to fuel your muscles and provide you with the nutrients to keep you going mile after mile. You’ll certainly want to pack snacks to stop and eat during your ride to replenish fuel sources, curb hunger pangs and boost energy. Remember not to pack any foods that are too heavy or hard to transport. A muffin may sound delicious, but it can be messy to eat. Also, be sure not to try any new foods in case it affects your stomach negatively and you have to stop mid-race.
Here are some tasty, helpful snack options to pack for your century ride: