Almost everyone under the sun has experienced neck pain. Poor posture, injuries, and spinal disorders are some causes of this condition. Depending on the cause, neck pain can last for days to years.
A neck pain lasting more than three months can hold the quality of your life hostage. In that case, you should seek the necessary treatment options from Samwell Institute for Pain Management to live on top of your life. Continue reading this article to learn how you can prevent neck pain from reoccurring in the future.
Sleep Right
Have you ever experienced neck discomfort after waking up? A stiff-neck is common, especially when you practice poor sleeping posture. Sleeping on your stomach can strain your spine.
Excessive strain can transfer to your neck, leading to neck pain. Therefore, if you are a stomach sleeper, you should learn to sleep on your sides. Consider using the comfortable pillow beneath your arms if you are a back sleeper.
Exercise Carefully
A stronger neck is less likely to experience strains. As such, you should do neck stretches when engaging in your normal physical exercises. Further, you should have a good look at your neck when exercising.
The idea is to prevent stiff necks associated with certain exercises, such as swimming. When swimming, ensure that your head is aligned properly with your spine. In addition, you should talk with your trainer before incorporating new exercises into your plan.
Manage Stress
The correlation between stress and neck health may seem insignificant. However, this is far from reality. When stressed, your body stimulates the production of chemicals such as cortisol.
Over time these chemicals cause muscle tension along the neck, thus causing neck pain. While stressful circumstances are inevitable, you can learn how to ease stress. Practicing mindfulness and deep breathing will offer stress relief.
Position Your Computer Correctly
How you position the computer monitor says a lot about neck health. Slouching on the computer screen usually adds extra strain to your neck leading to neck pain. Keep your computer monitor at the same level as your eyes.
Perhaps you could wonder how possible it is to raise the laptop screen when you use it. If you use a laptop at work, you should ensure it is connected to a separate screen or monitor. Sitting on ergonomic seats will also ensure your eye is level with a monitor.
Stay Hydrated
The spongy structure in your neck is vital in reducing friction forces. This structure comprises fluid whose high component is water. When dehydrated, this water can seep out to other body parts.
Always drink two to three liters of water for optimal hydration. Consider factors such as age and weather conditions when making the hydration plan. Your neck will also thank you when you avoid dehydrating agents such as alcohol.
Neck pain is one of the common conditions. Although mild neck pain may resolve after a few days, chronic neck pain can last over three months. The latter will affect different aspects of your life, thus necessitating reliable medical intervention.
After treatment, you will never want to experience this distressing condition again. Always embrace correct sleeping postures to avoid straining your neck as you sleep. Positioning the computer monitors at the same level as your eyes are also essential to reducing the chances of neck pain.
