If you are like most people, you likely have experienced a stiff neck or some degree of neck pain. This is a common condition that is often caused by some sort of strain to the muscles or ligaments around the cervical spine. It is not too difficult to cause some sort of strain to the neck, however, some of the most common causes are sleeping the wrong way or having poor posture.
Many instances of neck pain are acute, meaning the pain only lasts a few hours to a few weeks. However, some people suffer from chronic neck pain, which can last for months or years at a time. In fact, according to a study, 15 percent of adults suffering from chronic pain reported that the pain was coming from their neck.
Simple Ways To Help Ease Neck Pain
Chronic neck pain can be the result of an underlying medical condition — such as arthritis or degeneration of the spinal discs. Whether you are dealing with neck pain that is acute or chronic, in this blog, we are going to go over some tips to help ease your neck pain. If you do suffer from chronic neck pain, consider visiting a Honolulu neck pain relief center for help.
Maintain Good Posture
Many people work jobs that require sitting at desks for long periods of time. Sitting for long periods of time can cause you to slouch. The center of gravity through your body actually starts at the upper part of your neck, and slouching at a computer during the day or hunched over a desk, causes your neck muscles to have to hold the weight of your head up for extended periods. Over time, the muscles in the middle of our back will become stretched out and weak, making the muscles of the neck overwork. This can cause neck muscles to become tight, irritated, and sore.
Adjust Your Sleeping Positions
Sleeping in the wrong position is often one of the main causes of neck stiffness or pain, so make sure to adjust your sleeping positions to ensure you are getting enough support. Choose a pillow that provides proper support to your neck and minimizes your neck stiffness. Choosing a wrong pillow can make your condition worse. Be sure you change your pillow every year as it will begin to lose its comfort. Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach, as this can put a lot of strain on your neck. Instead, try sleeping on your side or on your back. These postures comfort your neck and prevent the muscles from stiffening. Aim to get a full night’s sleep for about 7-8 hours every day.
TIP: If you sleep on your side, try placing a pillow between your knees for increased comfort.
Drink Plenty of Water
Many headaches are actually triggered by dehydration. Water is needed to keep your muscles well hydrated and your brain functioning normally. Plus, drinking more water can significantly help in reducing the amount of pain you experience. When you drink more water, you improve the blood amount in your body. This ensures improved blood flow throughout your body, including to the negatively impacted neck area where you are experiencing pain.
Stretch
Sometimes, you will see significant improvement in your aches and pains by simply performing some gentle stretching. Stretching helps to pull on the muscles, reducing the tension in them. You typically can stretch your neck any time of the day, even at your desk at work. Stretching will not only help keep your neck flexible but they also will strengthen your neck muscles to help with posture and alignment.
Visit A Neck Pain Relief Center
If you find yourself with frequent neck pain, you should seek the help of a professional. Aches and pains are your body’s way of telling you of an underlying problem. Dealing with chronic neck pain can lead to chronic changes in your bones and muscles over time, making the problem much worse. At a neck pain relief center, medical experts will examine your posture, alignment, stability, flexibility, and strength to find the cause of your neck pain or a headache. And with soothing physical therapy treatments, your neck pain will be relieved quickly, and your flexibility, posture, and strength will be restored.
Hopefully, these few tips will help your neck pain the next time it comes around. However, if your neck pain is causing your extreme discomfort, it may be time to consider visiting a pain management center. Pain doctors specialize in the treatment and diagnosis of chronic pain. Honolulu Pain Relief Center is home to the most trusted pain management doctor. Through chiropractic and massage therapy services, we can help alleviate your acute to chronic neck pain. For more information about neck pain relief or to schedule an appointment, contact our medical experts today!
