Written by A sprained neck is an injury to a muscle or ligament in the neck. The main cause of this injury is excessive range of motion in the muscle or ligament. It often happens without any obvious cause, but can also occur from whiplash or other sudden impacts. As with most strains, there’s no quick fix for neck sprain. The body will heal itself over time, usually within a couple of weeks depending on the severity of the sprain. Because of this, many people turn to neck pain relief products to get them by until the body does its work.
However, many pain relief products such as ibuprofen and muscle relaxers aren’t great for you long term. Some of these products can also possess addictive properties. This is why many people are turning to natural pain relief and home remedies.
Sprained Neck: Causes & Symptoms
The neck muscles and ligaments are made up of very soft tissues which can get damaged easily. A neck sprain can be caused by a variety of different activities.
Poor Posture
If your head is in the wrong position or awkward angle for a prolonged period of time, it can strain the muscles and ligaments. This can happen from sleeping at a bad angle or sitting at a desk all day. A study found that people who primarily work in sitting or leaning positions are more likely to sprain their neck than people with active occupations.
Fall or Collision
A sudden blow to the head and spine or a sudden aggressive movement in the neck can also cause a neck strain. This can occur from a sports injury, a fall, or a car accident.
Heavy Lifting
Lifting heavy objects is a common cause of neck strains. If you lift in the wrong way, it can cause immediate pain. Additionally, if you lift heavy objects regularly, even if you’re doing it correctly, it can result in a sprained neck from constant stress.
Remedies For a Neck Sprain
Even though a strained neck is painful and inconvenient, there’s no reason to fret. Your body will heal the sprain over time, and there are ways to manage the pain until then. But before you reach for those neck pain relief products, try out natural home remedies.
Use CBD to Manage Neck Pain
CBD is a wonderful natural remedy for a variety of ailments, including pain management. Studies show that this all natural cannabinoid is up to 20 times more effective than aspirin at reducing inflammation and managing pain, making it one of the best NSAID alternatives.
A full spectrum CBD oil provides a host of other benefits as well, including anxiety, skin conditions, headache relief, and mental health issues. So not only are you helping out your neck, you’re helping out your overall quality of life!
Massage
Lightly massaging the tight and tender muscles in the neck can help relieve pain and also assist in the healing process. A study found that massage therapy for neck pain had an immediate positive effect on pain, and was most effective in the first four weeks, which is the healing period for many neck sprains.
If you’re doing a massage at home, consider using CBD balm with the massage, as it can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Stretching
Stretching is a great way to reduce stiffness in the neck and alleviate some of the pain from a sprained neck, especially in jobs where movement isn’t common. A study of office workers found that all sorts of exercise was effective in reducing neck pain, with the most significant improvement among those doing stretching exercises.
Cold Packs and Heat Packs
Both cold packs and heat packs are effective ways to help a neck sprain. Studies have found that both are effective for pain management, although more people prefer heat packs. Cold packs seem to be more effective for pain, while heat packs help to soothe stiff muscles and increase flexibility.
Neck Pain Relief is Here
A sprained neck sucks, but it doesn’t have to affect your daily life. With a routine of stretching, using cold packs or heat packs, and taking full spectrum CBD oil or any of our other CBD or CBG products, you can have the relief you need.
