How to Prevent Neck Pain
There are any ways you can prevent neck pain without ever stepping foot in a doctor’s office. Apply these tips to prevent the common causes of neck pain:
#1 Change Your Sleeping Positions
If you wake up with a stiff neck often, you likely have to change your sleeping positions or get a new pillow. Sleeping on your stomach is always a no-no. This position causes you to turn your head for many hours in order for you to be able to breathe. Imagine how this position adds up to hours, days, weeks and months. Sleeping on your stomach is one of the top causes of neck pain. So, it’s no surprise that when you sleep on your stomach for hours, you wake up with neck pain and can further develop sleep problems. Check out our best pillow recommendation for neck pain.
#2 Take Breaks During the Day
When you spend long hours at a computer or driving around, make sure to take a break once every hour. Make sure to get up and walk around, stretch, do some jumping jacks. Movement is life, so make sure you don’t get stuck in one position for too long- this can lead to facet syndrome later on in life. When you take breaks often, it keeps your neck muscles from staying in a fixed position during all of that screen time.
#3 Quit Smoking
Smoking is known to damage the discs between your vertebrae and cause early arthritis in your neck. This is a tough habit to break. So true commitment will be required of you, because we don’t recommend the smoking cessation medications that are often prescribed.
#4 Invest In a Better Purse or Bag
Regularly carrying a heavy bag or purse over one shoulder can result in neck and shoulder pain. Consider switching to a messenger bag, backpack or another type of bag that allows you to better distribute the weight evenly. Take anything that is non-essential out of your purse or bag. Your spine will thank you for it.
#5 Develop a Stress Management Routine
Good stress management methods help you minimize the amount of stress that builds up on your neck and shoulders. A quick 10 minute meditation is a great way to reduce stress, as well as a short walk around the block.
The Symptoms of Neck Pain
Neck pain can involve tightness and spasms in the muscles of your neck. It can also result in decreased range of motion making it difficult to look over your shoulder or look up or down. Neck pain can worsen when you hold your head in one position, such as looking at a computer monitor for a long period of time or sleeping on your stomach. Tension builds up over time and can become chronic neck pain.
Apply these tips! If you still need help for your neck pain, give us a call for a free consultation at (619) 756-7510.
Read more!
Save Thousands in a Car Accident
Gentle Adjustments. Powerful Results.
Gentle NUCCA Chiropractors Intouch Chiropractic | San Diego, CA (619) 756-7510 sandiegonucca.com
Know someone that could use our help? Pass it on…
