If you have ever experienced waking up some mornings with stiff neck or shoulder pain, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Sleeping in an awkward position or spending the day hunched over your computer can cause this discomfort.
When your neck is bent forward at an angle for an extended period, it can cause pressure on the discs in your spine. This can result in pain and soreness in the neck muscles.
The pain isn’t severe, but it can be frustrating and painful.
The good news now is that you really don’t have to achieve ballerina-level posture to prevent soreness. Do you know the first step to keeping neck pain at bay? It’s learning what causes it. Here, the best chiropractic clinic in Walton shares some of the most common causes of neck pain:
Your Current Work Setup
Do you spend hours a day sitting at a desk? Are you craning your neck to look at a computer screen? You might be a bit taken aback when you learn that the way you’re sitting could be causing you some neck pain.
You can do a few changes to prevent neck pain, starting with adjusting your work setup. Make sure your PC or laptop screen is at eye level and that your chair is adjustable so you can sit with a straight back. You might also want to invest in back support or a lumbar pillow.
Your Texting Habits
Here’s the thing: when you’re looking down at your phone for long periods, you’re putting strain on your neck and shoulders. This can lead to a condition called “text neck,” when the muscles and ligaments in your neck get overstretched and irritated. Not fun.
If you want to avoid text neck, you can do a few things. First, make sure you’re sitting up straight when you’re texting. It can be a tad awkward at first but know that it will help reduce the strain on your neck. Also, take breaks from texting every few minutes to give your neck a break. And finally, stop texting and give your neck a chance to recover if you start to feel any pain.
The Pillow You’re Using
That’s right, the pillow you rest your head on at night could be why you wake up with a crick in your neck. Using a pillow that’s too high or too low can put your neck in an awkward position and cause strain. The same goes for pillows that are too soft or too firm.
To find the perfect pillow, it’s essential to take into account your sleep position. If you sleep on your side, you’ll want a pillow that’s firm enough to support your head and keep your spine in alignment. If you sleep on your back, you’ll want a soft cushion to contour your head and neck. However, if you typically sleep on your stomach, you’d want a flat pillow that won’t strain your neck.
Once you’ve found the perfect pillow, you’re one step closer to preventing neck pain.
Stress
A few key factors can contribute to neck pain, and one of the biggest is stress. Whenever stressed, the body releases cortisol, which can contribute to inflammation and pain in the neck and other areas of the body.
So the first step to preventing neck pain is reducing your stress levels. This can be done through relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga or by addressing the root cause of your stress.
Conclusion
Neck pain is never fun. But knowing what causes it is an excellent first step toward avoiding them. Neck pain can be caused by various factors, including poor posture at work, stress, and even poor choice of pillows. By understanding the causes of neck pain, you can take steps to avoid them and reduce your chances of experiencing this type of pain. Of course, if the changes you’ve made haven’t made any improvements, you can visit the best chiropractic clinic in your area so you can be checked by an expert.
Triple Crown Chiropractic is the best chiropractic clinic in Walton that can provide you with the expert services of a seasoned chiropractor. Contact us today to set up an appointment!