More than half of adults report suffering from neck pain in the last six months. The causes can range from an acute muscle pull in your neck, shoulder, or upper back to stress, poor posture (slumping or craning toward your computer or phone screen), changes in your cervical discs (they compress over the decades), osteoarthritis, and even what's called coat hanger pain, which is associated with various neurological conditions and low blood pressure when standing.
Jaw problems and severe headaches can also trigger neck pain.
If you have an "attack," you want to reduce inflammation by icing the area for 10 minutes, and then applying a hot compress for 10 minutes.
And you may want to return to the ice — doing a cold-hot-cold cycle keeps blood vessels narrow, which helps prevent inflammation from coming back.
You also want to dispel stress. Try double-deep breathing, calling on your posse, and avoiding inflammation-causing foods such as red and processed meats, added sugars, and refined carbs.
You should also make sure your posture is upright, your workspace is ergonomically designed, and your sleep position aligns your neck and spine.
If the pain becomes persistent or causes tingling down your arms, consult a doctor. Treatment can range from massage and physical therapy to corticosteroid injections and even surgery to repair misaligned discs or spinal stenosis.
For help creating a body-friendly routine and sticking to it, check out Dr. Roizen's book "The Great Age Reboot," and for help beating stress, check out Dr. Oz's YouTube video "Zen Master's Guide to Relieving Stress."