Have you ever woken up or gotten out of the chair after a long day of work with a stiff neck? There is this uncomfortable ‘kink’ that sticks around, making every task ten times harder when the slightest movement of the head or neck is painful. Lucky for you, you can do something about it. No matter what caused this discomfort, you can learn how to get rid of a kink in your neck and make it go away!
How Does a Neck Kink Differ from Neck Pain:
We will delve into the causes and signs of neck kinks and how to get rid of a kink in your neck. However, before we do this, it is to clear up the distinction between a kink and pain. A neck kink is localized stiffness, while neck pain is a broad term that includes all kinds of neck issues.
This kink usually develops due to physical strain or stress-induced tension in the neck. In fact, \ this pain can journey from the spine all the way up to the base of your head. Since the muscles in your neck tighten, you feel what aptly described as a kink and is quite painful. Plus, a kink in your neck will keep you from moving freely and put a damper on things.
Know that not all neck pain is a mere kink that you can treat with the methods this guide will cover. If your neck pain comes up out of nowhere—i.e., you have not been injured in any way recently—then this can be full-blown pain that needs medical attention.
Main Causes of Neck Kink or Stiffness:
The people who most often have to pick up the phone and find out ‘how to get a kink out of your neck’ are usually athletes or those who work out regularly, and people who have physically demanding jobs. Also, people who have long desk job hours may suffer from this issue often. Age and injury can increase the chances of getting a neck kink. The question is, why are the people who meet these criteria prone to discomfort?
- Unhealthy Posture: Do you stare at your phone for hours with your neck bent down? The muscles in your necks are strained this entire time, and get a kink or a ‘knot’.
- Poor Ergonomics: Even a little time working at your computer or while driving can give you a neck kink. The culprit: poor ergonomic design of your seat or any surface you are working on.
- Bad Sleep Position: A common cause of neck kink for people with healthy habits is the sleeping position. Lying at the wrong angle or using an unsupportive pillow causes stiffness.
- Stress-Related Muscle Tension: You tend to hold your head and neck stiffly when you are stressed out. It is a coping mechanism that can, unluckily, cause a hard-to-beat neck kink.
- Recurrent Movements: If you swim or cycle often and engage in repeated movements, your neck will be one of the first parts of the body to feel the strain long after the exercise.
It is also important to know that any past injury can cause a neck kink, even if it happened a while back. Improper healing from impact falls or whiplash strains can bring back neck stiffness again and again. Your medical history will make a difference when you try out different ways of how to get a kink out of your neck.
How to Know You Have a Kinked Neck:
A stiff neck can vary from slight discomfort to sharp stiffness that limits movement. You need to watch out for the signs to counter it as early as possible. A usual sign that your neck has a kink is a sharp pain along the side of the neck when you tilt or turn your head quickly. If this kink is severe, you will have stiffness and pain all over your neck. Other signs include:
Since your neck’s mobility is compromised, as you may find it hard to turn or tilt your head. Driving, exercise, and other movements that make use of neck muscles also become tough.
This pain in your neck can also spread down and tighten the muscles in your shoulders and upper back. Neck stiffness can lead to tension headaches that may occur at the front or back of your head, or even behind your eyes.
It is uncommon but not unknown that a mild to severe kink in the neck turns into upper body pain. This can happen if the neck kick has a serious underlying cause. However, another usual reason is that you ignore the kink, and it grows.
Tips for Easing Neck Kinks and Stiffness:
Since a neck kink that you ignore can turn into severe pain. It can travel to the head, spine, and other parts of the body. Needless to say, you should know how to get rid of a kink in your neck and waste no time.
Before we get into the proven methods of tackling it, you need to steer clear of what causes the kink. Steer clear of activities that could worsen the pain, such as contact sports and quick neck movements. A stiff neck can make daily life tough and may cause ongoing pain in the long run.
Go for a medical checkup is the kink persist for more than a week with no signs of dimming. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers for temporary relief. However, you need medical help if you have tingling, dizziness, severe numbness, or headache, or weakness in your arms.
Complete rest is usually not ideal as it can backfire and lead to more pain. Your muscles need attention in a certain way, like gentle movement, hydration, and proper posture. You can try various at-home therapies to get rid of your neck kink.
1- Utilize Heat or Cold Therapy
When your neck is tight or stiff, heat can be a great source of comfort. Heat therapy boosts blood flow, relaxes muscles, and makes tissues more flexible, which is why it is a popular way to address pain anywhere in the body. A warm compress is ideal, and you can use a cloth to support it against your neck.
Taking a warm shower can help ease muscle tension in your neck and promote relaxation. The steam and warmth from the water is unmatched therapy, as it boosts blood circulation and eases muscle tightness.
A lesser-known way to tackle neck kinks is cold therapy, but whether or not you should use it depends on the cause. This method can usually get rid of neck stiffness that stems from a recent injury or inflammation. Get an ice pack, wrap it in a thin towel and apply on your neck for 15-20 minutes. Cold therapy targets all the problems that lead to neck kinks, namely inflammation, strain, and muscle spasms. It may be an unusual way how to fix a kink in your neck, but it can work when your neck muscles act up after injury.
2- Gentle Neck Movements
It is said that the simplest solutions are often the most effective. In the case of neck kink, that solution is movement. Yes, you read that right. To take away the pain you feel while moving your neck, you need to move it some more.
That said, you need to follow a certain way of movement to find relief from the stiffness and pain. Gentle movements and stretches are your best friends when you have neck kink troubles.
You may want to not move your neck ever and just rest your kink away, but lack of movement will actually keep the much-needed nutrients from getting to your neck joints, making the issue last longer.
When you move your neck, focus on moving away from the pain. If turning right hurts, try turning left to help it relax. Do these movements as slow and gentle stretches. Bend sideways and tilt your head up and down. Add chin tucks to these movements to support good posture, and hold your movements lightly and only for a short while each time.
Tip: Do these movements and stretches after you take a warm shower, and you will have better results. Heat increases blood circulation, which allows your muscles to relax and stretch more easily.
3- Pin-and-Stretch Neck Massage
Massage is a long-standing form of therapy for pain and stiffness pretty much anywhere in the human body. Neck kinks are no exception, and you want to try out the pin-and-stretch technique to ease away the tension.
A professional massage can be a surefire way to tackle neck kink, but you can easily copy the correct method at home. Sit in front of a mirror and proceed with the following self-massage steps:
- Locate the sensitive area in your neck or upper shoulder using your fingers.
- Press down to hold the muscle steady. Make sure that you keep a mild pressure.
- Gently rotate and stretch the muscles in your head and shoulders while applying steady
pressure.
Massage all the sore points you can find, repeating the steps at least thrice. You can do this massage twice or more times a day till the neck kink goes away. The best part about this massage is that you can feel the ease almost instantly. If you are not sure how to fix a kink in your neck with a massage or the stiffness goes on too long, a trained physical therapist or a chiropractor can help.
How to Prevent Neck Kink in the Future:
Knowing how to relieve a kink in your neck is important for reducing discomfort and restoring mobility. Moreover, you should apply the methods ASAP to address neck pain. That said, what is even more vital than healing a neck kink is to keep it from coming back and troubling you all over again. Here are a few tips to steer clear of neck stiffness and pain in the future:
Maintain Your Posture
Having a good posture is crucial for the health of your neck and shoulders. When you slouch while standing or sitting, especially for long periods of time, the stress gathers in your neck and causes a kink. Keep your form upright, and do posture improving exercises as often as you can.
Use Screens Wisely
Necessary screen time is okay, but you need to take a break every now and then. Whether we are talking about work or games, screen time and position matter. Keep your laptop, monitor, or phone at eye level to avoid looking down for lengthy periods. Take a 5-minute break after every hour move your neck and shoulders in a rolling motion to relive the tension.
Taking Control of Your Neck Pain with Care:
A kink in the neck is often just a brief episode of discomfort that resolves quickly if you know how to address it. Nevertheless, these aches can turn into a constant problem that negatively impacts your quality of life, even if they seem minor.
In such situations, the same techniques in this guide for how to get rid of a kink in your neck can be effective, but you need the help of an expert therapist paired with medical support. It is possible that you have a deficiency that leads to recurring neck kinks, or there may be an underlying issue with your bones or muscles. Take charge of your health and don’t let neck kinks control your life!