“Pain in the neck” is a common expression used to describe a person or situation that is irritating. It is a metaphoric pain but there can also be a literal pain in your neck. It can be hard to ignore as your neck has the challenging job of holding your head up all day. Whether you are standing or sitting, neck pain can make it hard to work, play, or even just relax. Knowing the potential causes of neck pain can help you avoid it.
Cell Phones and Other Devices
One of the primary causes of neck pain in today’s screen-obsessed society is what is called “tech neck.” This occurs when people spend long periods of time looking down at their cell phones or tablets. When looking down, your neck is in a compromised position in which the vertebrae are pressed together. Remaining the way for long periods can compress the discs or put them out of line, called a subluxation. This can cause damage and pain.
The best way to prevent this is to limit the amount of time you spend looking at these devices. It is easy to get obsessed with social media, texts, and emails but it is not healthy. It can hurt your neck as well as interfere with experiencing life and interacting with others.
When you do need to look at a screen, hold it in front of you and keep your neck straight. This will prevent damage and the pain that comes from it.
Improper Workstation Set Up
Desk jobs are more common than ever and many people work at home. This generally involves sitting at a desk and looking at a computer monitor. This may seem like a job that couldn’t cause as it’s not physical labor. However, long hours at a desk can be harmful, especially if your workstation is not set up properly.
Your chair should be set so you can sit up straight, feet on the floor, knees at 90 degrees. Set your monitor so that you can look straight ahead at the top of the screen. This will keep your spine aligned and help prevent back as well as neck pain.
Chiropractic Care
Should you develop neck pain, it’s important to seek treatment. Many people will use chiropractic care. Chiropractors are trained to examine the spine from the back to the neck and find any kind of subluxations or compressed discs. They are then able to make adjustments that fix the problems. The pain is treated by getting to the root of it which can help prevent it from recurring.
Another advantage to chiropractic is that it doesn’t use medication. Drugs can have side effects and be addictive. Chiropractors use all-natural, holistic treatments that many people find effective.
Neck pain is common and you don’t have to be physically active to get it. Take the necessary steps to keep your neck straight and avoid damage. If you do experience neck pain, consider seeing a chiropractor. It may relieve the pain and prevent it from coming back.
