Top 10 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Neck
By Chris Brown
The neck may be an afterthought until it is in pain, but it serves a crucially important role connecting the body's core processor, the brain, to the rest of the body. All the vital nerves that communicate between the body and brain pass through the neck's cervical spine. When the neck gets injured or becomes dysfunctional, pressure gets placed upon the spine and alters the ability of the brain's nerves to function optimally. This can happen through acute injuries or from the cumulative effects of daily life. For example, the human head weighs 10 pounds on average, but its relative weight doubles for every inch it leans forward. Extended periods of forward head lean can lead to neck and spinal dysfunction. Most of neck health, therefore, means keeping its stabilization strength and reducing the daily habits that cause chronic conditions. There are 10 quick tips for maintaining neck health.
- Improve your posture - Holding regularly good posture is one of the easiest ways to keep your cervical spine in optimal posture by never exposing it to improper positioning.
- Wear equal weight - Carrying an unequal weight balance, such as wearing a backpack by one strap, can make muscles in the neck strain and cause spinal dysfunctions.
- Place your work screen at eye level - With your screen at eye level, you won't spend your work hours looking downwards with your neck bent in a poor, harmful position.
- Get a good pillow - Resting your neck on a good pillow for your nightly hours of sleep will ensure that your neck stays aligned and crick-free for morning.
- Move every 30 Minutes - The neck, like the body, despises stagnation, so getting up and moving around every 30-minutes is key to maintaining a happy spine.
- Remember the neck sunscreen - When lathering up for a sunny day, don't forget to protect the heavily exposed, and often neglected, skin on the back of the neck.
- Strengthen your shoulders and back - Your neck uses the muscles in your shoulders and back for stability, so strengthening them helps protect your cervical spine in the event of a fall or accident.
- Yoga - Yoga is especially adept at both strengthening and stretching the muscles of the upper body that are so important for neck health.
- Neck exercises and stretches - In addition to yoga, there are simple stretches and neck-specific exercises you can perform to keep your neck loose.
- Regular chiropractic check-ups - A key element of every healthy neck is regular adjustments at a local chiropractor, as chiropractors correct spinal dysfunctions before they progress to the point of impacting the nervous system.
Taking care of your neck is incredibly important for your entire body's health and The Joint Chiropractic can help you maintain a healthy, happy neck. The Joint offers walk-in sessions with usually little to no wait time, so you can avoid stressful, bothersome appointments. And, with adjustments affordable without insurance, you can get treatment as little or often as you choose. Come by The Joint today to start your journey to a healthy neck.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Davis, Calif.