If you are dealing with frequent neck pain, then it is a good idea to see a doctor or a chiropractor. They can get to the bottom of what's causing your pain and recommend treatments that address the root cause. But what about in the shorter term? How can you alleviate neck pain while you're awaiting a doctor's appointment, or even between doctor's appointments? Here are some key options to consider.

Massage

You don't have to go to a massage therapist (although that would be helpful in the long term). Just ask a friend or family member if they can spare a few minutes and massage your neck. Ask them to focus on rubbing the more muscular parts of your neck, on either side of the spine. They can start with light pressure and then gradually increase the pressure as they go. Even if your neck pain is not directly caused by muscle stiffness, muscle stiffness is often a consequence of other neck-related ailments and can make neck pain worse. Loosening up the muscles via massage can help the neck relax so this pain is relieved.

Lavender Essential Oil

Aromatherapy to relax your body and mind can help lower your stress levels. This can help stop you from holding so much tension in your neck, which can result in a reduction in pain. Lavender essential oil is a good, widely available option for stress and pain relief. If you have a diffuser, you can just add a few drops of the oil to the diffuser and let the scent fill your room. Otherwise, you can dilute the oil with an equal part almond oil, and then wipe a few drops over your neck. The scent will help relax you, and some of the oil may even penetrate the skin to directly relax your muscles.

NSAIDs

Another option is simply to take a dose of ibuprofen or naproxen. These pain relief medications tend to be pretty effective against neck pain since they work, in part, by relieving inflammation — which is at the heart of most neck pain. You don't want to become overly reliant on them or use them too often, but for the occasional time you really need to curb neck pain ASAP, they can come in handy. Make sure you take them with food to protect your stomach.

Talk to your doctor about neck pain, and work with them to devise a long-term treatment plan. In the meantime, the advice above can prove handy.