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Most neck pain only lasts a few weeks. There are things you can do yourself to ease it, but see a GP if it does not go away.
take paracetamol or ibuprofen – or use ibuprofen gel on your neck
use a low, firm pillow
put heat or cold packs on your neck
do not wear a neck collar – it's better to keep your neck moving (unless a doctor tells you not to)
do not do anything that could be dangerous because you cannot move your neck – for example, driving or cycling
Try either of these:
You can also buy heat or cold packs from a pharmacy.
The most common causes of neck pain are:
when sleeping, make sure your head is the same height as the rest of your body
have a firm mattress
sit upright – roll your shoulders back gently and bring your neck back
do not keep your neck in the same position for a long time – for example, when sitting at a desk
do not sleep on your front
do not twist your neck when you're in bed
If you have neck pain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
