Can I apply hot compress to treat stiff neck?

Stiff neck is a disease that occurs very frequently in life, both in adults and children. The biggest feeling of stiff neck is that the neck pain is unbearable and will last for many days, which is very uncomfortable. The main cause of stiff neck is incorrect sleeping posture, so you must receive treatment. So the question is, can stiff neck be treated by hot compress?

Once you get a stiff neck, don't panic, calm down and treat the symptoms. Stiff neck can be treated with hot compress. You can apply local hot compress or warmth to the affected area with a hot towel or hot water bottle, or you can soak a towel in water boiled with Chinese herbal medicine that relaxes the meridians and promotes blood circulation and apply it to the affected area. Later, massage the painful area on the back of the neck with gentle techniques, then apply anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointment, or use analgesic spray on the painful area; you can also use acupuncture and cupping.

When caring for a stiff neck, be careful not to sleep with a high or hard pillow. After about 3 days of treatment and rest, the pain can generally be relieved, the patient enters the recovery period, and can move the head again. When the condition is serious, you should go to the hospital for treatment, such as physical therapy, which can improve local blood circulation, relax tense muscles and relieve pain. If there are still obvious tender points, local blockade can be performed with 5ml of 1% procaine or 2ml of 2% lidocaine to relieve pain.

It is worth pointing out that although massage techniques can be used to treat stubborn stiff neck, they must be performed by experienced doctors, and you cannot ask well-intentioned people with only a limited understanding of the technique to "help". You must never force the neck to bend directly, and you must not force a sound to be made, because once the technique of rotating the cervical spine loses control, it can be dangerous. There have been many lessons in this regard. In addition, you may want to take some Chinese medicine that can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis at the same time.

During the acute phase, neck movement should be properly controlled, and flexion and extension should not be forced. Measure the flexion and rotation of the neck, and limit the range of movement to a level that does not induce or aggravate neck pain.

How to prevent stiff neck

1. Choose a pillow that is beneficial to your health. Improper use of a pillow is one of the causes of stiff neck.

2. Be careful to avoid bad sleeping postures, such as lying prone with the head and neck bent to one side; falling asleep before lying down in a straight position when extremely tired; the head and neck are in an incorrect position, excessively flexed or stretched, etc.

3. Be careful to avoid catching cold, being blown by wind and getting caught in rain. Be sure to cover yourself with a quilt when you sleep at night, especially the shoulders and neck should be tucked in tightly, or you can wrap both sides with a sweater to prevent you from catching cold while sleeping and allowing the cold evil spirits to invade the neck and shoulders, causing blood stasis and damage to the blood vessels, leading to illness.

4. Pay attention to a balanced diet, reasonably combine meat and vegetables, and consume more foods rich in vitamins, trace elements, and calcium, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and soy products.

5. Regular and appropriate exercise is required, especially cervical spine exercises, such as the "M" exercise, which is a simple neck health exercise.