Managing Neck Pain
By Paul Rothbart
Everyone is familiar with the expression "pain in the neck." It's a metaphor for someone or something that is annoying, distressing, or unpleasant. But you can also have a pain in the neck in the literal sense. Neck pain, unfortunately, is not unusual. It can be very distracting and make physical or mental tasks difficult to perform. There are several causes of neck pain and things you can do to manage it and reduce how often you experience it.
Be Mindful When Using a Cell Phone
Cell phones are everywhere and few people can get through the day without perusing the internet, social media, or emails and texts at least several times. Some are constantly checking their phones. People have a tendency to angle their necks downward while looking at their phones. Holding it in this position can strain muscles and ligaments as well as compress vertebrae. This condition can't help but cause pain. The remedy is simple. Spend less time on your phone. Check email and social media a few times a day spread out by several hours. When you do use your phone, hold it up so your neck is straight. Also, limit the total time you look at it. Your neck will thank you.
Be Mindful How You Sleep
Since you spend about eight hours doing it, the position you sleep in can cause neck pain. Choose a pillow of the right firmness. Too hard and your neck can be bent upward. Too soft and your head can sink, bending your neck downward. Whether you sleep on your back or side, you want a pillow that holds you in a position where your neck is straight. This will minimize pain as well as help you sleep better.
See a Chiropractor
Regular chiropractic care may be the best thing you can do to manage neck pain. A chiropractor can find any issues with your muscles and tendons and make adjustments to fix them. If you have subluxations or other problems in your neck vertebrae, the chiropractor can find and adjust them too. This can result in a properly aligned neck that no longer hurts. Frequent visits can be very helpful to people who often experience neck pain. It's the kind of regular care you give to other body parts.
Neck pain is common and one of the worst kinds to experience. Take the steps to manage and minimize it. Consider a visit to The Joint Chiropractic. You don't need an appointment. You may find that seeing a chiropractor regularly allows you to say goodbye to neck pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashville, Tenn.