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?

Question

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

Lliam · Accepted Answer

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 · Accepted Answer

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

SEL195 · Accepted Answer

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.

dustybiker · Accepted Answer

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.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

You should try using an orthopedic pillow.

NathanDavis · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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

Laura089 · Answer

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

silkjames · Answer

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 🥰👍🏽!!

Wester1967 · Answer

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

bowenw · Answer

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

crazy8000 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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

Sevenpointfive · Answer

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 · Answer

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

Ekke118 · Answer

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

Mangospacho · Answer

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 · Answer

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

Anpu23 · Answer

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

kyleelyn199723 · Answer

Happened to me yesterday. Hurt like hell. I ended up during neck exercises that I looked up on google lol

Andres77 · Answer

Aspirin. Wait 30 minutes. Warm pack. Massage and stretch

NightOwl8801 · Answer

Not much one can do... Pain relief medicine only goes so far at a time , I usually just stretch and work my muscles loose then massage the area

Wiredone · Answer

When I sleep wrong I wake up with a headache so I take ibuprofen

Flower7 · Answer

Ibuprofen is great for that. And heat also. You’re on the right track!

Anonymous · Answer

I give my partner back massages regularly and it helps. Muscle tensions below and between shoulder blades cause her neck pain.

helva · Answer

I stay 15 minutes under a hot shower and maybe take 500 mg paracetamol.

AydenHazor · Answer

Salonpas leaves you smelling minty but works wonders

lycanthrope3 · Answer

Sleep wrong the other way

RebeccaBI2000 · Answer

I pull out the electric massager.

jasco · Answer

I just deal with it and go to work

TexasRed95 · Answer

I slowly stretch it. Let it loosen up again.

Mark987 · Answer

I need an answer for this lol

vald9inches · Answer

I just live with it for that day lol

Z199617 · Answer

I use Tylenol hot bath. Get a massage.

msc545 · Answer

This is what ice in a towel is for.

DmMeNow · Answer

U should put cream there

CubaPirate · Answer

Wish it was my dick that was stiff 🤣🤣🤣

EaterPeter · Answer

Be relax, take a day off. Drink lots of water 💧

krin_m · Answer

Yep, hot pad and Ibuprofen, You said it!

whosnumber1 · Answer

chyro!

ItsMeElliana · Answer

ouchies

DaveToo · Answer

Hot shower with the showerhead on pulse.

Wise4myage · Answer

Heating pad!!!

Cubus · Answer

Deal with it.

WowwGirl · Answer

Cuss

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?

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