When a Workout Backfires, Chiropractic Can Help
By Sandy Schroeder
Just when you are having a perfect game of golf, or winding up a little gardening, life may throw you a curve leaving you with a stiff neck.
Harvard Health says stiff necks often happen when neck and shoulder muscles are overloaded, straining the joints in the neck. Poor posture can be involved if the chin moves forward and the shoulders hunch. Tension may run into the neck and surrounding muscles as the trapezius muscle absorbs much of the stress, creating a dull ache or a headache.
Seeing Your Chiropractor for Answers
If you are coping with a stiff neck, your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic can help. The Joint’s doctors of chiropractic help people of all ages find solutions to pain and answers for wellness.
When you come in, your chiropractor will assess your neck pain, review your health history, and ask about your activities and normal routine. A gentle, targeted spinal adjustment may help you achieve pain relief and a sense of well-being. At the same time you may feel more alert and energetic.
As you assess the results, you and your chiropractor can put together an ongoing plan to help to keep you pain free. At the same time, you may want to learn more ways to protect your neck in the future.
Here are some ways that activities lead to neck pain, with quick fixes from Harvard Health.
In the garden - If you reach too far and hoist heavy objects, your neck will be stretched and you may irritate neck muscles. To fix it, pull your chin back when you look down and stay close to objects as you lift them. Use your leg muscles to power heavy lifts.
When you swim – Alternate the crawl with the breaststroke to exercise muscles on both sides of the neck.
On the golf course– If you extend your neck as you swing you may create tension in the neck. Move your chin toward your neck when you look down at the ball. Also alternate shoulders when you carry a golf bag.
When you do yoga – If you look up when you do “downward dog” you may extend the neck too far. Or turning the neck too far to look behind you can stress neck joints. Keep your chin back toward the neck and avoid turning your head too far.
To solve pain issues and learn more about pain prevention, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you. Find out more about the affordable personal healthcare plans that require no insurance, and the flexible weekend and evening hours that require no appointments.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fort Worth, Tex.
