When you consider the way it is built, your neck is an amazing combination of strength and mobility. Often referred to as the cervical spine, your neck serves as a flexible connection between the head and the rest of the body. Its primary purpose is to support and balance the head while controlling its movements.
The neck is complicated. It is made up of seven cervical vertebrae connected by a series of joints, muscles, spinal ligaments, discs, nerves, and blood vessels. The central nervous system is housed within the spinal column, and the neck is charged with protecting the brainstem as it exits from the base of the skull and transitions into your spinal cord below. However, since the neck is the most flexible and freely movable region of your spine, it is also more vulnerable to injury and wear and tear that can lead to neck pain. When you experience neck pain, the complexity of the neck can make troubleshooting your problem a challenge.
Examining Daily Habits for Neck Pain Relief
When you’re dealing with neck pain, staying active and maintaining as close to a normal daily routine as possible is the best thing you can do to limit the impact the pain is having on your life. You may, however, need to modify the way you go about certain activities or movements to reduce the risk of aggravating tender, irritated tissues. In other words, you don’t need to stop doing things, you might just have to change the way you go about doing them. The following list might provide clues as to habits that are contributing to your neck pain as well as solutions to ease the discomfort:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
- Driving – try adjusting your seat position periodically, playing around with moving a little closer or a little further away from the steering wheel. You might also try varying the angle of your backrest. Using a small pillow or support behind your lower back (the lumbar spine) might be beneficial. Pay attention to your head position as well – if possible try to keep the back of your head in contact with the headrest behind you, this will ease stress on your neck and in between your shoulder blades. On longer drives, take regular breaks to get out and stretch your legs.
- Sleeping – most neck pain sufferers find that sleeping on their back or side gives them the most comfortable, restful night of sleep. Sleeping on your stomach can be particularly hard on the tissues of the neck, having your head turned maximally to one side or the other for hours at a time. Back sleepers should choose a pillow that supports the natural curve in the neck – some pillows are even designed with an indentation designed to cradle the head. Side sleepers should choose a pillow that is neither too high or too thin, keeping the neck in a neutral position.
- Grocery shopping – when you’re carrying bags of groceries (or anything else for that matter), do your best to balance the load evenly in each hand rather than carrying most of the weight on one side. This is also something to consider when choosing a bag or purse to carry on a daily basis. Look to avoid carrying a heavy purse or a messenger-style bag over the same shoulder repeatedly.
- Working at the computer – setting up your workstation properly can help immensely, especially if your job necessitates long days at the desk. Some factors to check include your chair height (feet should touch the floor with your knees slightly lower than the hips), keyboard position, and monitor, which should be directly in front of you at eye level. Sitting can put a lot of strain on the neck and rest of the spine, so setting a timer to take regular stretch breaks is key to preventing ongoing discomfort.
- Sports – continuing to play in your normal sports activities is typically fine if you can tolerate it. You might need to temporarily decrease the intensity level or modify techniques until you’re feeling 100%, but generally speaking, staying active will help the body to heal. During the healing process might be an ideal time to participate in some cross-training exercises as well, focusing on areas that may not be worked or strengthened during your activity of choice.
- Technology use – staring down at a phone or tablet can put a tremendous amount of strain on the neck as it strains to keep the head upright. Rather than looking down at your device, hold it up at eye level or invest in a stand that will hold it at eye level for you.
Paying attention during these routine daily activities can help you identify bad habits that you may have developed over time that can be contributing to your neck pain and preventing relief.
Lasting Relief is Possible with Upper Cervical Chiropractic
While it might be easy to find many short-lived solutions to neck pain like applying a heat pack or taking pain-relieving medication, the truth is that unless the underlying cause of the problem is corrected, the problem never truly has the chance to resolve. Knowing that the neck is complex, upper cervical chiropractic focuses on the one part of the neck that is the most complicated, the most flexible, and has the biggest impact on how the neck feels and functions. The atlas vertebra is shaped differently because it has a different job to do – the atlas supports the weight of the head and gives it a remarkable freedom of movement. Because it moves so freely, it is also particularly vulnerable to misalignment due to accident, injury, or wear and tear. When the atlas shifts out of its normal position, the rest of the neck is forced into a stressed position to compensate for the weight of the head being carried in an abnormal position.
The upper cervical chiropractic approach seeks to restore normal atlas alignment in order to address the underlying cause of many long-standing neck problems. At Upper Cervical Health Center Boise, the gentle, effective methods we use are often the overlooked piece that gets people over the hump and feeling better. Getting rid of stubborn neck pain can mean the return to enjoying activities and experiences that you may have had to give up because of your condition. If you are looking for some much-needed neck pain relief in Boise, ID, contact us for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Grayson Blom to learn more about how we can help you.
References:
https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-bone,-joint,-and-muscle-disorders/neck-and-low-back-pain/neck-pain
https://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/neck-pain/understanding/index.aspx
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom, call 208-487-8653, or just click the button below
About the Author
