Our neck is one of the most fragile areas in the body. There is almost no protection or support to the neck from the other parts of the body. There can be various causes of neck pain. Even though the body has a tendency of resolving the issues on its own, it is important to know the reasons behind neck pain and consult a doctor to initiate the best procedure to treat the same.

Three of the common causes of neck pain are discussed below:

• Muscle Strain
  Our body is made up of muscles, bones, and ligaments. When you stretch the body for exercising, dancing, or even reaching out for something heavy, you may experience muscle strain on the neck. The best way to resolve this cause of neck pain is to ensure that you massage the area with a non-prescription ointment available in the market for pain relief. You can also apply a hot water bag to the affected area so that the muscle is relaxed and comes back to its original position.

• Incorrect Posture
  If you sleep or relax your head in an incorrect posture with your leg toward your left, it may result in pain in the left side of the neck. You can avoid these issues by opting for a memory foam pillow or give proper support to the neck while sleeping. Exercising the neck area can also help you in this regard. If you have long hours of working, opt for ergonomic chairs that give proper support to the back and the neck area so that you do not have to lean for support. You must stretch the neck and move it from side to side to keep the lubricants flowing if you have long hours of a desk job.

• Whiplash
  It is a condition wherein the neck is frozen because of jerk or trauma to the area. It can be a result of an injury or an accident. In common man’s language, it is also known as a neck sprain. This requires the immediate attention of a doctor. In such circumstances, you may be asked to keep your head in a particular position and may be given a support to keep it straight, until the muscles can naturally relax to come to the original position.