Neck Pain

• Avoid straining the neck.
• Sleep on your back, keeping your head aligned with the body.
• Place a pillow under your head and under your knees.
• Maintain good posture during daily activities.
• When sitting, rest your back against the backrest and place your arms on the armrests.
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time without moving.
• When sitting for a long time is necessary, gently move the neck and take short walks from time to time.
• Continue physical activity based on how the pain progresses.

Relieving pain

• Apply a hot or cold compress, whichever feels better.
• Always place a cloth between the skin and the heat or cold source to protect the skin.
• Apply a cold compress for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
• Use a cold compress, such as, an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables, or a cold gel pack.

Or

• Apply a hot compress for 20 to 30 minutes, 4 times a day. Use a damp towel warmed in the microwave, a warm compress, or a hot water bottle.
• To reduce pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). When in doubt, ask a pharmacist for advice.

Important: Ibuprofen is contraindicated for children under 6 months of age.