3909 Stevenson Blvd Suite D Fremont, CA 94538
510-319-3119

Stiff Neck in Winter: Here are 4 Things You Must Do

stiff neck, neck pain chiropractor in Fremont

There’s nothing worse than having a stiff and achy neck during the winter season. That’s why it’s not surprising why many people schedule visits to their favorite neck pain chiropractor in Fremont for relief despite the cold weather. Fortunately, you only need to do four simple things to get rid of the pain and be back to your merry ways again.

#1 -Trace the Root Cause

Neck pain can result from a laundry list, from a previous injury to the head or neck to poor working posture. During the winter season, neck pain can also worsen because of the barometric (air pressure) fluctuations and the sudden drop in temperature, negatively affecting the joints. 

Others factors like poor posture while sitting, using the wrong type of pillow, and having cervical subluxation can also contribute to neckache during the cold season. 

Furthermore, the symptom can manifest because of pre-existing health concerns such as: 

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Muscle sprain
  • Osteoporosis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Torticollis
  • Herniated spinal disc
  • Cervical arthritis
  • Brainstem cancer near the spinal cord
  • Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal

As much as possible, you should know the contributing factors to your pain, so you can identify remedies that might help resolve them. To do this, you might need to undergo diagnostic tests like physical examination of the neck or X-ray, MRI, or CT scans.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and neck pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

 

#2 - Practice Self-Care Techniques 

Our neck pain chiropractor in Fremont shares that several things can relieve neck pain. One of which is practicing proper self-care. Here are some neck pain remedies you can try, especially during the coldest days of the year.

Relieve the pain by applying a heating pad or hot compress 

Some studies explain that the body tends to channel most of its energy to heat the internal organs during the winter season. As a result, the joints lack the necessary nourishment to keep them in good shape. By applying heat to your stiff and painful neck, you can help loosen muscle knots and promote blood circulation in the joints. 

Perform gentle and slow neck stretches 

Muscle knots and stiff joints worsen when the weather gets cold. That’s why you should add physical activities like neck exercises, yoga, and tai-chi to your winter morning routine. Ideally, you should spend about 10 to 15 minutes stretching your body each day to boost blood circulation and ease pain in the joints and muscles. 

Massage the painful spots with topical sesame oil

A relaxing neck massage can help ease muscle tension. It can also promote blood circulation to help damaged tissues heal. You should also use topical sesame oil when massaging the painful parts of the neck. After all, studies have proven that topical sesame oil makes an excellent and effective substitute for topical NSAIDs or pain relievers.  

Mind the quality of your pillows and mattress 

If both your bed and pillow provide very little support to your head, neck, and shoulders when you sleep, you will most likely wake up in pain. That’s why it pays to invest in a firm mattress and pillow. Look for products suited to your sleeping position and see how fast your neck pain improves. 

#3 – Make Positive Posture Changes 

Maintaining good posture is pivotal to preventing the onset of troubling conditions such as neck pain. That’s because the slightest changes to your body’s alignment can trigger a series of problems ranging from slow healing and recovery of damaged tissues and increased risk for nerve damage. 

If you haven’t been paying attention to your body posture, now is the time to be extra mindful and apply the necessary tips to achieve postural balance. Here are simple ways to make positive changes to your body posture to avoid neck pain during winter. 

Use a kinesiology tape for back support 

If you’ve watched one or two Winter Olympics matches, you have most likely seen some athletes wearing colorful tapes on their backs. These are called kinesiology tapes, and they support muscle weakness, especially while sitting or walking around. 

Work on your sleeping position

Besides investing in a good pillow and mattress, minding your sleeping position is essential to preventing neck pain. Below are some quick tips and insights that you might find helpful in improving your sleeping position: 

  • Sleeping on the side or back is the best position for people with achy necks.
  • Sleeping without a pillow helps heal an achy neck if you tend to lay on your stomach at night.
  • Avoid using high or extra firm pillows if you sleep on your side.  

Switch to ergonomic tables and chairs

Ergonomically designed workspace chairs and tables provide the best back support. So if you work from home, it’s a must to invest in them. They might come with a hefty price tag, but they can help you avoid hurting your neck and back while completing arduous work tasks.

#4 – Ask the Help of a Neck Pain Chiropractor in Fremont

Many patients want to see our neck pain chiropractor in Fremont for a reason: the adjustments help correct postural imbalances. And in doing so, they negate the effects of spinal misalignments like chronic neck pain. The procedure is precise and straightforward. It’s also safe and gentle because neck chiropractors understand how vulnerable the neck bones are. If your neck pain fails to improve even after trying the tips we shared above, it may be time to schedule your first C1 and C2 bones assessment with Dr. Steven Forest. 

Schedule your visit with our chiropractor. You may also call 510-319-3119 if you have questions about how a neck pain chiropractor in Fremont can provide you with neck pain relief.

 

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Forest, call our Fremont office at 510-319-3119. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Forest Upper Cervical Chiropractic Center

At Forest Chiropractic we believe in promoting wellness through injury prevention and health maintenance.
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Fremont Office

3909 Stevenson Blvd Suite D Fremont, CA 94538
510-319-3119
DrForest@ForestChiropractic.com

Fremont Alameda

2232 Santa Clara Avenue 
Alameda, CA 94501
510-892-3069
DrForest@ForestChiropractic.com

Office Hours

Tuesday. 1:00pm-6:30pm
Thursday. 1:00pm-5:00pm
Saturday. 8:00am-11:00am
Sunday: Closed
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