What do you do when you realize you slept on your neck wrong and when you wake up it hurts to turn it to one side?

[loves2learn]

I think I need to locate a hot pack or something. And take some ibuprofen.

[Lliam]

There are gentle neck exercises you can do to stretch the muscles, and the muscle that is kinked.

They consist basically of:
- Turning you head very slowly from side to side as far as you comfortably can. (Don't force it.)
- Lowering you head to your chest and tilting it all the way back (up, down). To raise you head once you've tilted it back as far as you comfortably can, you can use your hand (s) to assist so as not to put too much pressure on your neck muscles.
- Tilting your head to one side and then the other. It's probably a good idea to use you hand to push the side of your head back to the erect position.
- Lower your head and twist it to turn your chin toward your shoulder

Do each stretch very slowly, almost meditatively. As you do so, you'll find the area that is kinked. Work it slowly. Don't stretch so much as to make it worse. But if you're careful, you can gently pull on that kinked muscle over and over from different angles to gradually loosen it up. Sometimes you can even feel all the muscles kind of crackling as they stretch out.

When you are doing these stretches, sit erect and keep your shoulders square. When you stretch one side, always stretch the other, as well. For example: left then right.

You won't fix the kinked muscle instantly. It probably won't just go away in one session. But it will start to get better. It could even get better in one day. In a way, it's a bit like stretching out a Charlie horse.

It's not a bad idea to practice these stretches on a regular basis just to keep you neck muscles loose and in good shape.

[FriendlyDrugDealer]

This happens to my lady more than me so I usually suggest her to do what you said but I also give massages often so I would gently rub in warming cream into the muscle a bit to help speed up the process

[loves2learn]

That sounds lovely

[FriendlyDrugDealer]

I picked massaging as a hobby so I often rub her neck or back if she’s in pain. Plus it’s a sneaky way to get her to fall asleep and take a nap so I can go do one of my hobbies without feeling guilt 🤣

[loves2learn]

🤣🤣🤣 that is not where I thought you were going with that sneaky massage statement lol

[FriendlyDrugDealer]

Yeah I figured as much 🤣

[FriendlyDrugDealer]

Thanks for MHO

[SEL195]

I massage my neck. Then crack it. Then take painkillers and hope for the best. It is such a difficult thing. I struggle with my neck since my car accident.

But the weird thing is push where it hurts. And you will findd that it actually hurts somewhere else. Usually between your shoulder blades. Or along the spine. Don't go crazy eith thee massage cuz it will hurt the next day.

[loves2learn]

Yes. Counter pressure does work!

[dustybiker]

I have a number of old injuries that can trigger from awkward sleep. I usually set my alarm for thirty min before needing to get up so if I need to I can lay flat and let everything click back into place, then do stretches. Ice helps me more than heat, oddly. Not always nice in the morning though.

[dustybiker]

Reading this back I sound old. Lol. Taekwondo, motorcycles and all the rest.. really am hard on myself though.

[loves2learn]

Lol. Sometimes I feel old.

[dustybiker]

Thanks ☺️ (mhg)

[OlderAndWiser]

You should try using an orthopedic pillow.

[loves2learn]

I have one! Surprisingly. Lol

[OlderAndWiser]

Are you using it?

[loves2learn]

Yup! I still managed to sleep wrong

[OlderAndWiser]

Wow!

[dustybiker]

Yes, same. Did you notice on cold nights the material (memory foam) gets firmer? That can do it too.

[NathanDavis]

first thing I do is... to try an amateur massage with my own hands and it will help some

but then, I will just force my neck and turn it all the way to the side it hurts even if it hurts like a MF, and then I just keep going with neck exercises I learned with amateur wrestlers and boxers... it hurts, and perhaps is not wise at all but... I get through it much quicker

[DonkeyDan]

Massage in some Voltarol or Ibuprofen gel. I've also got a heated neck wrap that I use sometimes. Luckily I get few problems with my neck.
If you want to make a temporary heat pad, get some rice and put it in a sock about a ⅓ full, tie the end and put it in the microwave for 1½ to 2 minutes, make sure it's not too hot before putting on your neck.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

First step: Real slow basic neck exercise.
Second one: Hot water pack on neck or 20 to 30 minutes in hot water while taking a bath.
I prefer the bath.
This happens with me, as I sleep on the couch most of the times. Its either the couch or the floor. No bed.😅🤦‍♂️

Is it a bath or the bath?

[Bricealan]

Well you are talking to the right person. I did exactly that, on the right side of my neck at a yoga class. Hurt like crazy. Got out my 'sock' with heatable material in it, put it in the microwave for three minutes and left it on my neck for about 30 minutes, two different times. That helped. Went back to yoga class, and told my instructor, and she went through some 'stretching' exercises with me to help

Hope that helps

[silkjames]

I never got a stuff neck yet I don't know that's weird right lol! But when my girl gets that knot in her neck I have a heating pack I place on her neck for 10 to 15mins then I do a deep hard gentle massage on her neck then rub this scented Asian Vick cream my grandma taught me how to make I rub that into her neck she's golden after that feeling brand new 🥰 and it can be used on back pain or any knotted on muscle on the body it work wonders every time 🥰👍🏽!!

[Laura089]

You have to remove the pillows and sleep without one. That always works. We werent designed to sleep on pillows. We werent born with a pillow under our necks

[loves2learn]

I actually have a special low pillow. Keeps my neck aligned (usually).

[Laura089]

Usually and always are very different from eachother. Dont mean to sound like a bitch but taking the pillow from up under your neck after having a crook in it always works. Try it next time

[Wester1967]

I removed myself from the presence of my abusers and this back ache neck pain business disappeared. Like magic.

[loves2learn]

Good for you

[bowenw]

Massage it, stretches, heat pack, Voltaren rub, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, witch doctor.

[loves2learn]

I’ll just text my witch doctor lol

[crazy8000]

Stretch, deep breathing at the same time.
avoid certain movements and angles.
Massage.
Hot exposure to the area.
Wait out the time to it get better.
Avoid painkillers since it can make it worse then it is.

[AviatorTom]

If I slept funny on my neck, I ask my SO to give me a neck massage, which she's pretty good at. A couple aspirin or ibuprofen is also a good idea.

[OddBeMe]

I had this issue and fixed it by wearing this while sleeping or something similar. Keeps your chin up and helps relax the spine.

[MrPickles13]

I tend to try and click my neck or move it more to get rid of the stiffness. And well once or twice I did punch myself in the neck. Not the brightest idea but well it almost just deadends it kinda like a dead leg. Again not a smart idea.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I usually stretch and/or flex. Also, I'd ask my husband to massage me.

[Sevenpointfive]

i sleep on my side and i swear to god i toss and turn all night because my hips hurt. it's only started happening in the past 6 months. the pain isn't there in the morning but i wish it wouldn't keep me up

[exitseven]

take two Advils and take a hot shower. I have a hand sprayer with a massage setting so maybe use that as well.

[Ekke118]

Look forward to sleeping the next night better. And stretch a bit until it isn't as bad.

[Mangospacho]

That’s the worst - waking up already in pain. I’ll take a Tylenol or as ibuprofen if it’s bad enough but usually it goes away that afternoon or the next day.

[t-8900]

i basically suffer through it and maybe 400-600 mg of Ibuprofen

[Anpu23]

Stretch it until it feels right. Sorry but I am a glutton for punishment.