Have you ever had a slight pain in the neck but didn’t really think it was a big deal, especially if you knew it was because you slept awkwardly? Yes? I thought so. I hear this quite often from my clients when they first come in to see us – they’ll mention the annoying pain that’s going on in their neck when it comes to the end of their session because 9 times out of 10, they think it’s something that will “just go away” on its own.
But here’s the thing – it doesn’t always “just go away”! Think of your neck like this: Your neck supports one of the most vital parts of your body – the skull and the brain. Not forgetting that the top of your neck is where your nerves begin. Now ask yourself this – do you still want to brush off that neck pain you’ve woken up with this morning? I thought not.
Some of the main reasons as to why we shouldn’t brush off neck pain is because we all have ways in which we make it worse. We don’t mean to, but sometimes our lifestyle just gets in the way! Have you had your hair done recently?
It can often be an enjoyable experience, but have you ever considered how your neck feels? When you’re getting your hair washed in the basin, do you make sure the chair and basin are adjusted accordingly, or do you just leave it on the same setting as it was because you don’t want to be a bother? The seats are meant to adjust for a reason! Also, sometimes it can take a while to wash your hair, especially if they’re giving your hair a treatment too. So how do we get past this? Next time ask for the basin and chair to be adjusted accordingly. Regardless of how long you are going to be washing your hair for, each minute matters.
Maybe you’re a keen swimmer? I always recommend swimming as it’s great for your joints, however the type of swimming you do can sometimes have an effect on your body. If you like to swim in a front crawl position, then be aware of your neck. Turning your neck constantly, creating a repetitive motion can take its toll on your neck. It’s sometimes possible to over-use muscles and tendons in the neck so take extra care. Next time you go swimming, try alternating your swimming type to a breast-stroke position. If you really must do front crawl however, try to go a little slower.
Been to the Cinema or to See a Show Recently?
Another way in which you can often get neck pain is by putting your neck in an awkward position for a long period of time. So when you are watching something at the cinema or at the theatre, think to yourself, are you looking up at the performance, or straight ahead? If so, try and get a seat further back, so that the performance is at eye level. Not only will this ease neck pain but it will also allow you to focus and enjoy the performance more!
The above also goes for book and tech lovers too.
If you’re looking at your phone or reading a book for a long period of time then you may start to feel the strain on your neck too. After a hard day at work, your bed can sometimes feel as if you’re being greeted with a big hug as you get in bed and sleep snug. However, how many of you have woken up to neck pain, so much that you can’t physically turn your head? Me too. If this happens to you quite often, or more often than you would like, then try changing your pillow to one that allows more support. This tends to be why we get neck pain when we sleep. If your neck doesn’t have the support for your head then your neck will feel as if it’s in an unnatural position and as a result, causes a stiff neck in the morning.
If you do have a stiff neck in the morning, to the extent that you can’t move it in a particular direction (i.ei left or right) then please don’t drive. Not only will this make it harder to drive, you may also make your neck pain worse with quick movements! Many of the above things we do in our everyday life and it can’t be helped. Only now that we have identified how neck pain can be caused, can we adjust our routines accordingly.
So What Else Can Be Done?
Now I know that if your job requires working on a computer, you’re not going to be able to suddenly stop looking at one. I’m also not going to tell you to stop reading or to never watch TV again. But what I am going to tell you are the three things you can start to do today to help ease neck tension that leads to all sorts of neck, shoulder pain and even headaches.
1. Be aware of the position of your neck. If you notice that your neck is pushed forwards, tuck your chin in towards your neck to help straighten it and put it back into the right position.
2. Relax in a warm bath. Muscles love to be warm, and warm muscles mean less tension. So run yourself a nice warm bath, lie back and relax.
3. Talk to a specialist at my clinic. I have designed a special package especially for chronic neck and shoulder pain sufferers. It’s something called the Organic Neck and Shoulder Pain Treatment Program that I and a few other physical therapists put together. It’s the perfect combination of deep tissue massage and gentle posture and neck stabilization exercises in addition to ergonomics coaching. They will help you best manage the stressors to your neck in order to reduce neck, shoulder pain and headaches. Give us a call and get started today!
PS – Do you need help NOW? Request a Free Discovery Session with a specialist at my clinic. But please don’t wait. We are getting very busy in the clinic and that means we’re about to be operating on a very strict wait list. CLICK HERE now to get our on schedule before you can’t – serious inquiries only please.
Trupti graduated with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from UNC- Chapel Hill in 2001. She has furthered her studies with numerous post-graduate courses focusing on the Neck, shoulder, knee, and back, with a strong emphasis in manual therapy. Recently completed courses in Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (Levels 1- 5), has afforded her an excellent way to relieve pain and help people get moving, active and healthy quickly and effectively.
With 20+ years of experience in Physical Therapy, Trupti has practiced in various orthopedic and sports focused clinical settings, in both the Raleigh-Durham, NC and DC regions. She has been Director of multiple Physical therapy Clinics in DC and also worked with some renowned specialists at Georgetown University Hospital in DC. During her years of service, Trupti has had the privilege of caring for a wide variety of clients: from school-aged children to retirees; from homemakers to business professionals; from weekend warriors to professional athletes.
Trupti is an avid fan of the outdoors, art, traveling and of course the Tar Heels. She enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew.
- Torn Meniscus? Is Surgery Worth it? - April 21, 2024
- Six Tips to Improve Knee Pain Naturally and on Your Own - April 14, 2024
- Ace Your Game Without Knee Pain: Expert Advice Inside! - March 24, 2024
