Neck pain is a very common complaint with more than 25% of Americans reporting this type of chronic pain. For some, pain may start to feel like an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can experience chronic pain relief, even from neck pain. What many people don’t realize is that their own head posture can actually be causing their neck pain.
What Are the Causes For Neck Pain?
Improper forward head posture can lead to pinched nerves, improper breathing, numbness in the arms and hands and chronic neck pain. Every time your head moves an inch forward, you add ten pounds of weight to your neck.
You might be aware that poor sleeping position and head support can cause neck pain but did you know that things like watching TV and using the computer, things most people do every day, can also cause neck pain?
So what can you do if you think your posture and daily activities are causing your neck pain?
If you spend a lot of time in an office or using a computer:
- Make sure the computer screen is 18-24 inches from your face.
- Keep the top 1/3 portion of your screen at eye level so you are not looking down at it.
- Don’t carry heavy bags on one side of your body (like a very heavy briefcase).
- If you spend a lot of time sitting in an office chair, get up and walk around at least every 30 minutes.
If you think sleep position might be your problem, buy a supportive neck pillow for neck pain relief, sleep with your head in the middle of the pillow, and be sure the bottom of the pillow is supporting your neck.
People who experience chronic neck pain may have weak neck muscles that can be strengthened through exercise. At Health Star Clinic we can help you with non-surgical pain management and relief. Get your free consultation today!