If you’ve taken care of your health, hitting the age of 50 can be uneventful. You eat right, you exercise regularly, and you take care of yourself. But despite everything, you may also experience new health concerns. Neck pain and stiffness are particularly common among older adults.
So, how can you ease neck pain in your 50s? Let’s take a look.
Apply Heat or Ice
The first pain-relieving step for alleviating neck stiffness is usually ice or heat therapy. This simply involves an ice pack or a heating pad, which is applied to the affected area.
Ice and heat therapies are quite effective in relieving muscle pain and soreness. They’re suitable for alleviating mild discomfort. You can switch between the two applications or stick to either one as per your convenience. However, if your neck pain lingers even after you’ve used ice/heat therapy for a couple of days, you might want to explore additional options.
Use a Water Pillow
Chronic neck pain can rob you of a good night’s sleep. If you’ve been waking up with a stiff neck or sore muscles lately, consider using a water pillow instead of your regular pillow. This allows you to adjust the pillow’s firmness according to your preferences by reducing or increasing the water level in it to provide maximum support for your neck muscles.
If you’re skeptical about using a water pillow, you can always buy a firmer or softer pillow instead. Make sure you align the pillow at the right angle to prevent and ease neck pain.
Our Orthopedic Specialists Can Help
If you experience chronic neck pain, it’s time to see an orthopedic specialist. Their diagnosis and treatment range from hot and cold therapies to invasive surgery. You can get peace of mind with a thorough examination. If home remedies don’t provide long-term relief, your orthopedist may recommend a number of treatments, including pain management, to treat your neck pain. Many people are under the misconception that physical therapy is aimed only at sports injuries and rehabilitation. The truth is that it’s extremely effective in alleviating chronic musculoskeletal pain and stiffness as well.
A physical therapist can help you:
- Identify triggers and habits that may cause or aggravate neck pain
- Practice gentle stretches and targeted exercises to strengthen your neck muscles
- Improve your neck’s flexibility
Physical therapy can help reduce neck pain and support your cervical spine, preventing the chances of neck injuries.
Orthopedic Specialists Who Treat Neck Pain and Stiffness
At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, you can find an orthopedic specialist through its Orthopedic Center of Excellence who can accurately diagnose and treat your chronic neck pain. Our neck pain specialists will use advanced technology to diagnose your condition and may recommend a series of treatments that might include visiting a physical therapist. Whatever the treatment plan, it will be designed around your specific condition and address the best strategies to alleviate neck soreness.
Visit our website to find an orthopedic specialist who’s right for you.