Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the top three reasons patients visit a chiropractor. Neck muscles can be strained from poor posture, quick motions to the neck, or more serious issues. Common signs and symptoms of neck pain include:
Most neck pain improves gradually on it's own, but can improve faster with the help of an injury specialist. Neck pain can be more serious if the pain persists for several days without relief, if the pain spreads down the arms, or it's accompanied by weakness in the arms.
Causes
Prevention
Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related changes. To help with neck pain, keeping a neutral neck position with long periods of activity is crucial. Consider the following tips:
- Muscle tightness and spasms
- Decrease in Range of Motion
- Headaches
Most neck pain improves gradually on it's own, but can improve faster with the help of an injury specialist. Neck pain can be more serious if the pain persists for several days without relief, if the pain spreads down the arms, or it's accompanied by weakness in the arms.
Causes
- Muscle Strains - overuse after too many hours hunched over your computer can trigger muscle pain. Even minor activities such as reading in bed or gritting your teeth can affect neck muscles
- Osteoarthritis - your neck joints can change over time. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage between your bones to decrease. This means neck range of motion decreases, and muscle stiffness increases
- Nerve Compression - irritation to discs between the neck bones can cause nerve compression, sending pain and discomfort down the neck and arm
- Acute Injuries - motor vehicle accidents or sports head trauma can cause a quick motion of the head which strains the muscles of the neck
Prevention
Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related changes. To help with neck pain, keeping a neutral neck position with long periods of activity is crucial. Consider the following tips:
- Posture - when standing and sitting keep shoulders in line with your hips, and ears over shoulders
- Desk Position - adjust your desk, chair and keyboard so that your monitor is slightly below eye level. Keep knees slightly lower than your hips
- Phone Position - use a headset if using a phone a lot for work. Avoid holding your neck flexed to the side for long periods of time
- Heavy Bags - avoid carrying heavy one-sided bags over your shoulder. Use ergonomic backpacks instead
- Sleep Position - sleep with head and neck aligned with body. Ideally sleeping on your back or on your side is healthy for you neck. Sleeping on your stomach compresses the neck joints into an extension position
