The Best Tips for Preventing Neck Pain
The Best Tips for Preventing Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the most common complaints in adults. Chances are you’ve experienced it at least once in your life and know how debilitating it can be.
Neck pain has many causes, which can be as simple as a poor sleeping position or as complicated as an autoimmune disease. It commonly results due to unnecessary strain on the muscles and ligaments of the neck.
Some neck injuries can take a long time to heal while others go away in a few days. You may have heard of the adage “prevention is better than cure,” and this holds for neck pain as well. By adopting a few healthy practices, you can prevent it and live your life pain-free.
Down below, we have compiled the best tips to prevent neck pain . Regardless of the cause and type of your pain, these tips will work for you. Read on!
Tip 1: Change Your Sleeping Position
An average adult spends one-third of his time sleeping. Thus, it’s no surprise then that the condition of your neck is greatly influenced by your sleeping position.
Doctors recommend sleeping on your back. It is the ideal position for your neck and spine to rest. This does not mean, though, that you can not sleep on your side. When doing that, just be careful to use a pillow high enough that does not strain your neck.
Sleeping on your belly, however, is not recommended. It has been proven time and again that it places undue stress on your spine and neck.
It can also be worthwhile to invest in a good pillow. Different pillows work well for different people. Experiment and find the one most comfortable for you. If you like to alternate between different sleeping positions, you may need more than one pillow.
Tip 2: Be Mindful of Your Posture
An incorrect posture can place excessive strain on your spine and neck. Therefore, it is essential to adopt a healthier posture whether standing or sitting.
While standing or walking, keep your neck upright, and your shoulders pulled back. Try to stand as straight and as tall as possible without stretching. Let your arms hang naturally by your side. A slight bend in your knees can also help reduce the strain.
With so much of the time spent at a desk, your posture while sitting is even more critical. Again, try to sit as tall as possible, with your shoulders pulled back. By keeping your head directly above your hips, you’ll see everything falling into place naturally.
Also, be mindful of the height of your computer screen. The top of the screen should align directly with your eye level.
Similarly, don’t bend your neck while texting. This can easily strain the muscles and ligaments of your neck. Instead, try to raise your phone to your eye level.
Tip 3: Improve Motion in Your Shoulders & Neck
Exercise can strengthen the muscles of your neck and shoulders. This enables them to withstand the wear and tear of daily life. Even a few minutes of exercise to strengthen the neck muscles can go a long way in preventing neck pain .
Stretching can also help. It lengthens the tendons and ligaments in the neck, allowing them to relax. This can relieve some of the stress on your neck.
Movements of the neck and shoulders also improve blood circulation to these areas, enabling them to recover and heal naturally.
By applying these simple tips, you can spend more time living a healthy, fulfilling life and less time searching online for “ neck pain remedies ” or “ how to relieve neck pain .”
Want to Learn More?
If you are ready to do away with your neck pain but are not sure where to start, our expert team at BodyWorx Vitality, based in Vaughan, ON, is here for you!
Talk to us today at (905) 553-5900 or visit our contact page to book an appointment with a licensed healthcare professional.
We look forward to hearing from you!