Do you have neck pain? If so, you are not alone. According to a study by the American Chiropractic Association, neck pain is one of the most common ailments in America today. This can be attributed to many different activities that we do on a daily basis such as sitting at work or sleeping. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 reasons your neck hurts and how you can fix it!
Poor Posture at Work
First, neck pain can be caused by poor posture while sitting at work. This is due to the fact that we tend to slouch when we sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time and it takes its toll on our neck muscles over time. If you are like most people who spend their days working behind a desk or using a computer, neck pain may be a problem for you. One way to help decrease neck pain from poor posture is by using ergonomic equipment such as an ergonomic chair and keyboard. You should also make sure that your computer monitor is at eye level, and be sure to take frequent breaks to stand or walk and stretch your neck.
Sleeping Positions
Second, neck pain can also occur due to sleeping in certain positions that put stress on the neck muscles. We’ve all experienced “sleeping wrong” and waking up in pain the next morning. In order to prevent this type of neck pain, you should sleep in a position that keeps your neck straight. Sleeping on your back with a supportive pillow or two under the head and neck is an excellent way to accomplish this goal. In the case that you occasionally still wake up with a stiff neck, some gentle neck stretches can help.
Carrying Shoulder Bags
Third, neck pain can also be caused by carrying around excess weight such as when you carry around bags over one shoulder for extended periods of time. This occurs because the muscles in your neck and shoulders on one side will compensate to keep the shoulder and head even with the horizon, despite the fact that they are being weighed down. This creates continuous muscle strain that leads to pain in the short run, and wear/tear in the long run. The good news is that neck pain from carrying around a shoulder bag can be reduced by using two straps to evenly distribute the weight and reduce neck strain.
Doing Housework
Fourth, neck pain can also occur due to doing housework such as when you do dishes or mopping floors with the wrong technique. Any type of housework that requires you to keep your neck in a position that you are not accustomed to can ultimately result in neck pain from muscle strain. In this case, neck pain can be reduced by frequently changing positions and stretching your neck while doing housework. You may still experience some soreness, however stretching and changing positions will decrease your discomfort.
Playing with Children
Finally, neck pain is also caused when playing with kids or younger siblings. For example, if they pull on your neck when they are excited, this can cause neck pain. Lifting children improperly or having them jump into your arms can also cause neck (and back) pain. One way to reduce neck strain in these cases is by putting the child in a position that will keep them from pulling or tugging at you while playing and making sure you use the correct lifting technique.
Neck pain is one of the most common ailments in America today. There are many different ways neck pain can be caused, but it’s important to understand how you can fix this problem before it becomes chronic. The 5 reasons your neck hurts and how you can fix them that we’ve outlined above should provide a good starting point for understanding why neck pain occurs and what you need to do about it if/when symptoms appear. If these tips don’t seem like they will work or haven’t helped much, please contact us at Comprehensive Spine Care so that our experts may help develop an individualized plan tailored specifically for your needs. We’re happy to partner with you on creating a customized strategy aimed at reducing neck strain from whatever activities cause your neck discomfort
