Neck pain is a common problem caused by prolonged stress on the muscles, tendons and bones found on the neck. There is the kind of pain you go through after a rough week at work, especially for people in the construction industry. It gets better after a few days of relaxing and massaging. Home treatment for acute neck pain includes applying ice or heat on the area in pain. Using pain relievers can also help you cope with the pain. Neck pain relievers can be in cream or tablet form. If you are suffering from severe pain, it is advisable to see a doctor. A doctor can sometimes advice you to take up physical therapy as a form of medication when you have neck problems. Physical therapy should be done by a well-trained therapist who will not mislead you into more pain; it should be a slow and gentle process. For people who travel a lot, it is advisable to wear a cervical collar to provide a support for your neck. A cervical collar can also act as a treatment method for acute neck pain. If you are suffering from chronic neck pain, a doctor will give you strong pain relief medicine. For people with long term neck pain, antidepressants can be taken to ease their anxiety. Long term neck pain has effects such as depression and drug dependence syndrome. Surgery as a treatment for neck pain is only advisable if it is caused by injuries during an accident. Stiffness of muscles around the shoulder and neck can be caused by improper sitting habits, severe fall, accidents or tumors. When sitting or sleeping in a good posture, your shoulders as well as hips should be in a straight line. Avoid sleeping on a chair without proper support for your head. It is important to regularly stretch and exercise neck and shoulder muscles in order to make them strong. Adopt a good posture when reading or working on a computer. If you are under medication and you are not responding well, you need to determine the exact cause of your neck pain. Undergo a checkup which will include an x-ray of the spine or a CT scan.