I move my shoulders up and down and make circular movements while keeping the head down. It helps me a lot.
Source(s):
Personal experience.

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If it is due to stress, then try relaxation techniques.
Warm shower is also helpful.
Smearing a fresh lemon juice is helpful
Source(s):
http://www.goherbalremedies.com/blog/herbal-remedies-in-easy-cure-for-stiff...

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Like you said you already know about hot, but alternate hot and cold.
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When I get a stiff neck the thing that helps me the quickest is to get in the shower... get the water up to the highest comfortable temperature I can... and make sure that the massage shower head is turned up to the hardest pounding setting that it has. I just let the hot water pound on the stiff place in my neck and I can feel the knot in my neck disappearing. Best of luck getting rid of the stiff neck.
Source(s):
personal opinion

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Roll a towel into a collar. "Take a dry towel, roll it up, fasten it with a safety pin in the front or back, and use it as a soft collar to support your head," says Christa Farnon, M.D., associate director of Occupational Medical Services for SmithKline Beecham, a pharmaceuticals company in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. "This supports your head in place and limits the movements that you make with your neck."

Shower away pain. "A hot shower will also help relieve the tension in your neck muscles," says Ron Plamondon, D.C., director of member services for the American Chiropractic Association in Arlington, Virginia. The hot shower gently massages your neck muscles while providing deep heat.

Sleep on your back. To avoid morning neckaches, try to fall asleep on your back, with a pillow under the curvature of your spine, suggests Joseph J. Biundo, Jr., M.D., professor of medicine and chief of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans.
Source(s):
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/48/192.cfm

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First you should see an M.D. to be sure that the cause of your stiff neck is not a medical reason, such as an infection causing swollen glands, etc.

This is Not Intended as Medical Advice.
You may wish to try acupressure, it is very simple to do yourself. I have had really good luck with it for stopping headaches and relieving tension in my neck. You simply find the points, such as at the crease near the bend in your elbow and apply gentle but firm pressure, use with caution until you figure out how hard to press. Check the geocities link for a good beginner's guide. Often the point on the body is in an entirely different area than the pain or tension.
Source(s):
http://www.geocities.com/jrh_iii/acupressure/acupoints.html#7
Line drawing is from http://quantum-healing-lasers.com

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