HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

For stiff neck do you use warm or cool compresses to reduce swelling?

9 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Warm pack: Stiffness will usually respond better to heat than to cold.

Answered 4/23/2012

5.9k views

Thank

Whichever feels good: Both heat and cold can feel good. Experiment and see what feels better for you. Be careful that you do not burn or freeze the skin.

Dr Ali and 6 doctors agreed

Answered 11/22/2018

5.9k views

Thank
Show 1 more comment

Related Questions

A member asked:

Sudden onset of pain in breasts, shoulder, neck, arms, upper back. Sensitive to touch. Swollen glands. Swelling pain. Stiffness. What is this?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My 20 month old son has had a stye for over two weeks. Warm compresses and using the eye drops the pediatrician prescribed have lessened the swelling and redness but a large white and red pimple looking lump remains on his lower eyelid, and has been there

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I have swelling on the right side of the throat and tongue. Tender to the touch and warm. What should I do?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

What is better for a neck strain: warm or cold compresses at the back of the neck?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Ive started having a hot spot that comes and goes on right calf (feels like warming up on the inside). No swelling and the skin isn't hot to the touch (its actually pretty cool). The warmth is becoming more frequent. What could this be?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Can a warm rag help take down the swelling in my neck?
Can you use warm compresses on an abscess tooth with facial swelling?
Woke up with crick (stiffness & sore) neck & shoulder. Have no illness, temp, or swelling. What can I do to make it better & prevent in future?
I developed swolling in front of left ear a few days ago. Also have a rash on forehead on same side as swelling. Face on that side is warm and swelling appears to be traveling further down neck.
I started my first yr of college two months ago. Recently I've been getting swelling/stiffness/itchiness in my foot, hand, neck & now my arm. ???

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.