Why Your Neck Hurts
By Sara Butler
The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic see many patients who complain of neck pain. Neck pain can have a lot of causes, some of them much more common than you think. If you suffer from neck pain, then it's time to think about if some of the choices you're making each day are having an impact.
You Text a Lot
Texting and the use of handheld electronic devices such as smartphones are making neck pain so common that the pain caused by them has its own name: tech neck.
It's not the smartphones or the tablets themselves causing the pain, but its position you use them in. Head forward posture is terrible for your back and neck and puts a lot of stress and strain on your shoulders and upper back too. The tech neck posture can lead to irritation of the spinal nerves and even premature arthritis.
That's why it's crucial to try to keep all of your screens at eye level. If you can lay down while you use your devices, that might be even better. As long as you keep your neck straight and your posture balanced, then you can avoid your smartphone becoming a literal pain in the neck.
You Smoke
If you're a smoker, then you know how bad it is for your overall health, but did you know it's terrible for your back and neck too? If you're a smoker and your neck has been causing you pain, then it might be because of the cigarettes. This is due to the fact that smoking can reduce blood supply to the muscles and bones in the neck as well as harden arteries that further decrease the nourishing blood supply to the structures in your spine. It's worth it to quit for your health, spinal health included.
Your Bag is Too Heavy
If you pack everything but the kitchen sink in your bag each day, then it might be the reason your neck has been bothering you. In fact, women are more likely than men to suffer from neck pain that becomes chronic because of the weight of the bags they carry each day.
When you carry a bag, often it is carried on just one shoulder. That can pull the shoulder down and cause neck pain. Make sure to lighten your load by downsizing your bag and cleaning it out at the end of each day.
If you're worried about back and neck pain, then talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic today!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Las Vegas, Nev.