Almost all of us have had to cope with neck pain or a stiff neck at some point in our lives. Neck pain can range from being simply mild to so bad that it can make turning your head difficult. The pain can be caused by something as simple as lying down in the wrong position and this is why many people say that they slept wrong. However neck pain can be relieved using heat therapy such as with a microwavable wheat bag or heat pack.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

The most prevalent cause is known as muscular strain. There are a number of different ligaments, muscles and tendons within our neck which have been compressed into a small area. In most cases neck pain is a result of an injury to more than just one part of a person's neck and this is why it takes time to heal.

Vertebral fractures, whiplash as well as heavily damaged blood vessels can be the source of lots of pain as well as can affect your ability to move your head. Fractures in your spine or neck can also cause partial or complete paralysis. If the disk in between the vertebrae has been broken, or cracked it can result in the nucleus pulpous leaking out resulting in the nerves being compressed by the bone. This can be very painful and can make moving near impossible.

Whiplash is another common cause of neck pain. This injures the ligaments, tendons and the muscles and can be caused by a car accident. The injury takes place as the neck is sent forward and then pushed backward which stretches the tendons and muscles in the neck awkwardly. An injury such as this can stretch the soft tissue beyond what is normal for the neck which causes undue strain.

Why Use Heat Therapy for Neck Pain

One of the oldest treatments for pain is known as thermotherapy or also commonly referred to as heat therapy. Physicians use heat therapy since it helps to increase the flow of blood to the tendons, muscles and ligaments. Improved blood circulation assists in healing because fresh blood also brings along proteins, oxygen and other nutrients which are essential to the healing process of the tissue.

Heat therapy works by relaxing the neck muscles which in turn improves its overall flexibility. It also helps reduce stiffness which is accompanied by a neck injury. Heat therapy also works by preventing future injury by increasing flexibility.

There are different ways in which heat therapy can be administered to the neck area. The best however is to use a wheat bag. This type of bag can be easily heated in a regular microwave and moulds itself according to the structure of the neck. In addition taking a hot shower should also help relieve some of the pain.

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