Do you ever notice a stiffness in your neck when trying to look in the blind spot while driving or waking up in the morning with neck pain?
This can be caused by an array of issues and can be fixed, but let’s first get into the basics of your neck.
Your neck is responsible for supporting your head and allowing movement and is also surrounded by layers of muscles responsible for that reinforcement.
Neck pain can be caused by overuse of the neck muscles and most commonly, poor posture. Poor posture can lead to rounded shoulders and a forward head.
Over time, the amount of strain put on your muscles can lead to muscle imbalances and minimized neck mobility.
If these issues are not taken care of immediately, it can further lead to lasting muscle lengthening and tightening, increased susceptibility to bone fractures, and persistent pain and discomfort. Luckily, the stress of neck pain is preventable!
Here are some ways you can prevent that!
Posture
Standing or sitting in a poor position for a prolonged period can cause your body to adapt. When your body has been accustomed to being slouched for so long, your pectoralis muscles can get tightened and your back muscles can get taut, causing a chain reaction to pain in the neck. Take a break from looking down at your phone and remind yourself to stand up nice and tall!
Breaks
Taking a break from sitting at a desk for prolonged periods of time can help prevent your muscles from tightening up. Stand up and walk around to improve the blood circulation within your muscles. Short and frequent breaks throughout the day are better than longer and less frequent breaks! Try taking a quick break every 15-20 minutes.
Stretches
Try a couple of neck stretches to relieve tension. Some muscles that may be responsible are the trapezius, levator scapula, and sternocleidomastoid. Stretch these muscles consistently and watch your muscles relieve in no time!
Pillow
If you wake up with neck pain, the issue may be your pillow. The alignment between your neck and spine may be in an awkward position for six to eight hours every night if you’re not using the right pillow. The perfect pillow should fill in the gap between your neck and shoulders for back and side sleepers. Come to Tandem to get measured for the right pillow custom for you!
Physical Therapy
If none of the tips above seem to improve any of your symptoms, it may be time to seek professional help. At Tandem, we provide hands-on care, as well as stretches and exercises to help you relieve your neck pain and regain your range of motion to ensure that you have the functional mobility to enjoy life.
Here at Tandem, we also provide Therapeutic Massage therapy, where we work on loosening those tightened muscles, and improve mobility in your neck. If you’re interested in massage therapy, book an appointment with us! Give us a call at 504-407-3477 today to schedule with Tandem, and eliminate your neck pain!
For more information on the benefits of massage therapy, check out our website!
We hope you have a fantastic New Years, filled with pain free days!