Sitting before the computer, or driving long distances, or even sleeping in absurd postures can put your neck in a bit of a strain. Neck injuries – particularly cervical strains – are common occurrences. It is exceptionally important to ensure that it is in order and in good shape. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you have a neck sprain.
– When you have a neck sprain, try lying without a pillow. If you can keep your head flat on the bed at the same level as the rest of your body, it helps alleviate the sprain considerably.
– Try to help alleviate the tension in the muscle in the neck, improve the range of motion and encourage blood circulation in the affected area. When there is more blood circulation and the muscle tension is eased out, the pain begins to reduce.
– One method you can use is traction, whereby, by applying gentle traction on the neck, you can ease and elongate the muscles that have been tightened up, or the pinched nerves and compressed blood vessels to be released. The tighter muscles around tend to constrict and compress everything around them, so that helps create traction and space, to alleviate pressure in the region.
– To ease the sprain, lie on your back and place a folded hand towel under the occipital bone in your head, and then ask someone to gently pull the towel straight towards them. Hold that in place for about 3 minutes to feel some relief. Repeat the exercise about 2-3 times a day or until you feel some relief.
– If you have Epsom salt with you, use a bit of the salt in your bathwater and soak your neck in it, for about 15 to 20 minutes until it is absorbed. This helps alleviate the pain in your neck and releases the strain.
– If you are into acupressure, try the Luo Zhen method, where you have to massage the point on the opposite side of the body from the neck pain, by pressing into the point with the tip of your finger. Make sure that you use enough pressure to feel the sensation of slight tenderness at the point. Maintain the pressure while making small circles with your finger. When you start this, slowly start rotating your head from side to side, and see the mild increase in your range of motion as the pain decreases.

References:
http://breakingmuscle.com/mobility-recovery/3-simple-ways-to-heal-a-stiff-sore-or-injured-neck
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=745
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/fitness/Exercises-to-handle-neck-strain/articleshow/8177187.cms

Picture Courtesy:valeosteopathy