As you drive home from work, your neck aches. When you go to your kid’s soccer game on the weekend, your neck hurts. Although you use heat and cold therapy to try to loosen muscles, neck pain has basically become part of your daily routine, and it doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. The truth is that you will still be suffering if you carry on as usual. Here are four likely reasons you keep experiencing neck pain.
Your Posture Is Poor
One of the most common causes of neck pain is poor posture, so it stands to reason that if you continue standing or sitting improperly, your pain will persist as well. If you work at a desk for more than a few hours every day, you may need to change how you sit or stand so that your body is in an ideal position.
Perhaps you think there’s little you can do about your work setup, but you may have more control than you think. You can ask your employer for an adjustable, stand-up desk. If that’s not possible, you may be able to place your screen at eye level. For more than one monitor, try to avoid having to turn your head to one side, which puts stress on your neck and upper back muscles, but instead position your screens toward the center of your view.
You Sleep in a Bad Position
Stomach sleepers tend to have the most trouble with neck pain because the head must be turned to one direction. To a certain extent, you may not be able to control what you do while you’re asleep, but try to sleep either on your side or back to set yourself up for success. You can also make sure you have the right height in your pillow. If you sleep on your side, your head should align with your spine and not tilt up or down.
You Aren’t Exercising
Did you know that being physically active can help you avoid neck pain? Even though you aren’t working out your neck directly when you exercise, you strengthen the muscles that stabilize your head, including the upper back muscles. Keeping these areas of your body strong can reduce your discomfort and help you build endurance for the rest of your day.
You Are Too Stressed
Unfortunately, everyone experiences stressful situations, and if you aren’t dealing with it in a healthy way, that stress can take its toll on you and manifest as neck pain, among other unpleasant symptoms. Make some time in your busy, hectic schedule for some stress-relieving activities, such as meditation, exercise, journaling, and going on a walk in nature.
Ultimately, if you follow these tips, you can reduce the strain on your neck. But what if you are doing everything you can and you’re still suffering from neck pain? You may need some professional help. That’s where a chiropractor can ease your discomfort and help you achieve better alignment. They can also teach you stretches and exercises you can do at home to alleviate your pain.
About the Author
Dr. Zinovy Chukhman is certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners and has been practicing for nearly 20 years. Although he is a chiropractor first and foremost, he is concerned about every patient’s overall wellness and quality of life. If you have been experiencing neck pain, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Z, as he prefers to be called, at AlignRight Chiropractic by contacting the office online or calling 972-907-2800.
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