Neck Pain: Is it Just Your Posture or Could it be More?

Spending hours at your desk leaning toward your computer screen or too busy with tasks around the house to think about your posture while going about your work? Neck pain is commonly associated with strain on the neck due to poor posture. Read on to know more about other common activities and conditions that can cause neck pain.

Causes for Neck Pain

1. Osteoarthritis is among the leading causes of neck pain. Make sure to consult a specialist for such issues.
2. Muscle strains can cause neck pain, particularly with activities such as hours spent driving and hunched over a steering wheel, or even less strenuous activities that we don’t think much about like reading in bed or habitually gritting teeth.
3. Worn joints in the neck due to wear and tear or age can cause pain.
4. Bone spurs or herniated disks in the vertebrae of the neck can also cause stress and pain.
5. Whiplash injuries caused by automobile accidents when the head is jerked back and then forward.
6. Other diseases such as such as meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer can also be associated with neck pain.

Neck pain prevention

To help prevent neck pain, pay attention to your posture - straighten up with your head centred over your spine. Other simple changes in daily routine can help prevent or ease neck pain too:

1. Take frequent breaks while driving long distances.
2. Avoid carrying heavy bags over your shoulders.
3. If you spend a lot of time on the phone, invest in a good headset. Avoid talking on the phone with the phone wedged between your ear and your shoulder as it may lead to Text Neck Syndrome.
4. When you work long hours in front of a computer, make some changes in your work area: adjust your chair so that the computer is at eye level, and don’t forget to use the chair's armrests.
5. Exercises that can help if you work at a desk: stretch frequently, pull shoulder blades together and then relax, shrug your shoulders up and down, stretch neck muscles by pulling your shoulders down and lean your head to each side.
6. Sleeping on your stomach can strain your neck too.
7. Choose an appropriate pillow that will support the curve of your neck.

[av_promobox button='yes' label='Book A Consultation on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello'] It is advisable to consult a doctor if neck pain persists.   [/av_promobox]