It’s probably safe to say that most of us at some point in time have woken up with neck pain or can recall an event or injury that resulted in neck pain. In fact, at any given time, 13% of American adults (women more than men) suffer from neck pain.
Neck pain usually arises from muscles, tendons, and ligaments—commonly referred to as the soft tissues—in and around the cervical spine (the neck).
Muscle strain and resulting muscle spasm is often caused by an underlying neck problem, such as spinal stenosis, arthritis, or disc degeneration and can be triggered from trauma but frequently occurs insidiously, or for no obvious or identifiable reason.
Whether your neck pain is from a chronic condition or if you’ve just woken up with a stiff neck, the following tips should help you experience less pain.
Follow these 10 tips to protect your neck from injury:
- Try a new pillow.
In terms of comfort and support for your neck while you sleep, there are many options and you may need some trial and error to find what works best for you. As a general rule, it is best to use a pillow that keeps your cervical spine in neutral alignment—meaning, the natural curve of your neck is supported and maintained. - Sleep on your back if you can.
In general, sleeping on your back is the best position to let your entire spine rest comfortably. Some people with neck problems find it helps to sleep on their back and place a pillow under each arm, with the idea that supporting each arm takes strain off the neck. - Make sure your computer monitor is at eye level.
Sit comfortably in front of your computer and close your eyes. When you open them, your gaze should be directly in the top-third of your computer screen. If you find you have to look down, you need to raise your monitor up. - Avoid neck strain from texting.
Texting or looking down at your cell phone or mobile device for any length of time puts excessive strain on your neck.
05/11/2016
Continue reading the original article from Spine Health here.