Chronic neck pain occurs if a condition is left in the neck that has not healed 100%. If this happens certain activities can irritate the neck re-exacerbating the pain. Chronic pain can be pain that appears to resolve but then returns.

This pain can return unexpectedly or expectedly after a certain activity or injury.

Chronic pain can be the worst type of pain

Why? Because this pain can linger for months or even years! It is this kind of pain that can change your life. It can take away your favorite activities, ruin your day, affect your ability to work, and to play with your family. Learning how you can finally enjoy your life and be pain free is important for chronic neck pain sufferers.

It can be fustrating to treat on-going neck pain, upper back or shoulder pain. Studies have been done that show that physical exercises can make chronic neck pain more manageable. This 2008 study showed that specific neck muscle strength training works to alleviate chronic neck muscle pain. It is often recommended that heat be used for chronic pain conditions. Heat increases blood flow and makes connective tissue and soft tissue more flexible. It decreases stiffness in the joints, pain, and muscle spasms. Heat also aids in decreasing inflammation and the buildup of fluid in tissues (edema). Heat therapy is often used to treat inflammation such as in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, muscle spasm, and injuries such as sprains and strains.
There are many forms of heat that can be used.

• Hot Pack- This type of packs are very versatile. Often composed of pack contains a non-toxic, biodegradable gel, you can use the pack for hot or cold. For hot, you simply place in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute, wrap your hot pack in a towel and use it where you need it. For your neck, use a hot pack that is 6x20 in dimensions as this will be effective for heat therapy to the neck and upper back/ shoulder area.
• Moist Heating Pad- these heating pads draw moisture in the air and use that to heat the heating pad. Simply plug in the heating pad and place it where you need moist heat. These type of heating pads are often used in chiropractors, physical therapists and massage therapists because they provide instant heat and penetrate deep into the muscles where it is needed.
• Infrared Heat- Such as with a TDP Lamp. Often used in acupuncturists offices to provide local heat to a specific area. The premise of the TDP lamp is that the far infrared (below visible light) emissions increases microcirculation and loosens fascia to accelerate the natural healing processes of the body. The TDP lamp is a therapeutic substitute for moxabustion, and is reported to be the only mechanical device that can add Qi to the body.
• Parafin Wax
• Hydrotherapy (agitated warm bath)- This involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness. It also can mean using whirlpool, hot Roman bath, hot tub, Jacuzzi, cold plunge and mineral bath.

Heat may be applied at a deeper level with such things as:

• electric currents (diathermy)
• high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound)

There are other things that can be used in conjunction with heat such as a tens unit (electrotherapy). Tens stands for Trancutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A typical battery-operated TENS unit is able to modulate pulse width, frequency and intensity. Usually, Tens is applied at high frequency (>50 Hz) with an intensity below motor contraction (sensory intensity) or low frequency (<10 Hz) with an intensity that produces motor contraction. A Tens unit can be applied to area of pain or muscle spasm, with heat applied on top of that.