At some point, everyone has had a stiff or painful neck. This pain might be caused by simply lying in one position too long. Some people explain that they ‘slept wrong’, meaning that their head and neck were in a position that caused pain when they woke. Neck pain can range in severity from minor stiffness to excruciating pain that prevents any movement. There are many causes of neck pain, but all can helped with heat therapy such as using a microwave wheat bag, heat pad or heated neck collar

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Muscle strain or tension is the most common cause of neck pain. There are many muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the neck, all of which are quite compacted into a small area. In most cases, neck pain is the result of an injury to more than just one of the parts of the neck. As a result, the healing process can be slow and very painful.

Vertebral fractures, whiplash, and blood vessel injuries can cause substantial pain in the neck, but also can affect one’s ability to turn his or her head. Spinal fractures in the neck and back can result in partial or complete paralysis. A ruptured disk or herniated disc in the cervical spine means that the cushioning disk between the vertebrae has cracked or broken open. The cushioning material inside the disk, called nucleus pulpous escapes leaving two cervical bones and associated nerves to compress. This can cause pain in the neck and back, sometimes to the point where movement is simply not possible.

Whiplash is another common cause of neck pain. This injury to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the neck is often the result of an automobile accident. As the neck is stretched forwards and then backwards, the muscles and tendons are stretched abnormally. This injury stretches the soft tissues beyond normal range and can cause chronic neck strain and pain.

Why Use Heat Therapy for Neck Pain

Heat therapy or thermotherapy is one of the oldest methods of treating pain. For centuries, physicians have used heat to promote blood circulation to injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the body. Improved blood circulation is important to healing because the blood contains nutrients and oxygen that promotes regeneration of tissue.

Heat therapy is also beneficial because it relaxes the muscles of the neck, which helps improve flexibility. It will also help reduce the stiffness that is so common with a neck injury. In fact, heat therapy using a neck collar can help prevent further injury, in many cases. 

There are several ways that you can apply heat to a painful neck. One of the best is with a wheat bag, it moulds to the neck easily and can be heated in the microwave. 

Heat therapy using a wheat bag or heat pad is one of the most commonly recommended treatments for neck strain and pain. It provides relief for millions and it doesn’t have the list of potential side effects that are prevalent with many prescription pain medications.