Chiropractic clinics these days get a lot of patients suffering from neck pain. Long working hours in front of the computer, irregular diet and improper posture are some of the contributing factors.
So how can you help yourself? How can you avoid or get rid of the neck pain?
Don’t worry, there are a few things that can help you stay fit and relieve your neck pain.
Stay hydrated
Keep your computer screen at eye level
Use a mobile headset
Maintain proper posture
Carry weight evenly
Use a water pillow
Try acupressure
Try remedial massage
Increase topical and oral magnesium intake
Exercise neck muscles
Water intake is important for your spine as the discs between the vertebrae require water to maintain the height and the spinal alignment to take pressure off.
Maintaining a regular hydration habit over time prevents further degeneration of the cervical discs, which reduces neck pain.
The positioning of computer screen at the eye level is essential. Make sure that when you sit comfortably in your office chair, your gaze is directly in the middle of your computer screen. If it’s not, adjust the screen height. Also, take frequent breaks – get up and move around at least every 30 minutes for 2-3 minutes.
Avoid holding your mobile phone between your ear and shoulder for a long time. A hands-free device is a great way to talk. It not only helps you to maintain the right posture but also keeps the harmful radiations away from your brain.
Poor posture can cause neck pain, shoulder pain and back pain. Always maintain the right posture at all times while sitting, walking or standing. This helps to avoid straining of muscles and ligaments and also gives you a confident look.
A common mistake people make is, carrying a heavy purse or briefcase in one hand. This creates an uneven posture in your shoulders, straining the muscles of one side and causing pain.
Carry only your essentials in your purse or briefcase. Consider using a backpack for heavier loads to evenly distribute the weight across your shoulders.
Various water pillows are available in the market and are worth considering for patients who have tried traditional neck pillows and braces without any positive effects. These pillows can be made firmer or softer according to your needs.
Acupressure provides effective relief in neck pain. It soothes the tissues by concentrating on the pain points and relaxing them. It’s important to either learn acupressure techniques properly or get it done by a skilled professional.
Remedial massage has great effect on neck pain. It differs from traditional massage as it involves rubbing oil into the skin so that it penetrates deep into the muscles and joints, removing toxins and improving the mobility of the muscles.
Increasing the intake of magnesium aids in the contraction and relaxation of muscles. It helps in avoiding muscle strain and sprains that can lead to neck pain.
Magnesium is commonly found in fruits, dry fruits, vegetables, beans, soy products and whole grains.
Epsom salt or magnesium oil can be directly used on skin for a bath. Consult with your physician before using such supplements or oils.
Do strengthening and stretching exercises frequently to keep your neck muscles strong. One simple exercise is “the chin tuck” exercise. This exercise helps strengthen the muscles that pull the head into alignment over your shoulders. It also stretches the scalene and sub occipital muscles.
