Many people nowadays spend their days staring down at smartphones and computer screens. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently reported that some 20% of people in this country have experienced neck pain in the past three months. Usually, this is caused by the muscles becoming weaker, due to misuse or poor posture.
Understanding the Ways to Overcome Neck Pain:
In order to overcome neck pain, you must first learn to properly understand its cause. If you look down at a screen most of the day, the neck joint muscles will start to become tired and overstretched. Similarly, long periods of driving can do this. If this is something you do all day every day, it will eventually have a negative impact.
To recognize that this is what is ailing you, try moving your head from side to side. You should experience a range of movement that isn't smooth, as your joint starts to catch on a muscle and/or touch a nerve. This causes acute and instant pain, sending your neck into spasm.
Some Ways to Overcome Neck Pain:
1. Stretching
You must make sure that your screen is at eye level so that you don't have to look down. Meanwhile, you should also sit straight and stop twisting and tilting your head. Frequent breaks are also required, to give your neck muscles a rest.
The key ways to overcome neck pain, however, is down to stretching:
– Roll your shoulders to the back and down and repeat 10 times.
– Squeeze your shoulder blades towards each other, and repeat 10 times.
– Sit in your car and push your head against your head rest. Hold for 30 seconds.
– Move your ear to your shoulder. Repeat 10 times on both sides.
2. Use the Right Sleeping Position
Many people who have neck pain also have poor sleeping positions. You should only sleep on your back or on your side, and not on your front. This is because you have to twist your neck to breathe if you sleep in the prone position, and this can cause serious neck pain.
Simple Remedies:
– Place an ice or a heat pack on the affected area. Ice should be used within 72 hours of the injury occurring, after which heat should be used.
– Opt for over the counter pain relief medication.
– Make sure you remain mobile, but that you take it easy as well. By moving sufficiently, you can avoid further poor health indicators.
– Perform a range of movement exercises, but slowly. These include moving from ear to ear, side to side, and up and down.
– Ask your partner to give you a relaxing massage.
– Make sure your mattress is firm and sleep with special neck pillows only.
– Speak to your physician about the possibilities of being prescribed a soft neck color. While these collars work, it is important you don't use a collar for too long, however, Your physician should be able to prescribe a collar for you, which will come with important tips within the safety manual.