

Physical therapy and alternative treatments Anyone who is unsure about what to take should speak with a doctor or pharmacist first. People who are pregnant or who have certain medical conditions may need to avoid NSAIDs. Another type of NSAID, diclofenac, comes as a gel for topical use on the affected area. Popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Over-the-counter pain relievers and topical creams may help reduce trapezius pain. Other home remedies include: Applying ice and heatīoth hot and cold therapy may reduce muscle pain.Īpplying ice can lower levels of inflammation, while heat can reduce muscle spasms, increase blood flow to the area, and promote healing. The best treatment for trapezius pain may depend on the cause, but resting the muscle and avoiding any painful activities will help the muscle heal. Press down on the left shoulder with the right hand while leaning the head to the right.Do the opposite on the other side, holding the right shoulder with the left hand. Reach the right arm across the chest and hold the left shoulder.Release the head and perform the same stretch on the right side.Place the left hand on the head and gently pull it toward the shoulder for a deeper stretch.Slowly bend the head over to the left side as though trying to touch the left ear to the left shoulder.Exhale, and allow the belly to sink toward the floor, while arching the back.Inhale and curl the spine up toward the ceiling while contracting the abdominal muscles.


A stretch should cause tension but no pain - avoid forcing any stretches.Ī person might try the following stretches after reviewing them with a physical therapist or physician. Hold each stretch for about 15–30 seconds. Move in and out of a stretch gently, avoiding jerky movements and bouncing. Stretching can help keep the trapezius muscle from getting too tight.
