Have you ever had a slight pain in the neck but didn’t really think it was a big deal, especially if you knew it was because you slept awkwardly?
Yes? I thought so.
I hear this quite often from my clients when they first come in to see us – they’ll mention the annoying pain that’s going on in their neck as a minor ache or annoyance because 9 times out of 10, they think it’s something that it will ‘just go away‘ on it’s own.
But here’s the thing – it doesn’t always ‘just go away!’
Think of your neck like this: Your neck supports one of the most vital parts of your body the skull and the brain. Not forgetting that the top of your neck is where your nerves begin.
Now ask yourself this – do you still want to brush off that neck pain you’ve woken up with this morning?
I thought not.
Some of the main reasons as to why we shouldn’t brush off neck pain, is because we all have ways in which we make it worse. I mean, hey, we don’t mean to but sometimes our lifestyle just gets in the way!
Have you had your hair done recently? It can often be an enjoyable experience, but have you ever considered how your neck feels?
When you’re getting your hair washed in the sink, do you make sure the chair and sink are adjusted accordingly, or do you just leave it on the same setting as it was because you don’t want to bother someone to adjust it?
The seats are meant to adjust for a reason! Also sometimes it can take a while to wash your hair, especially if they’re giving your hair a treatment too.
So how do we get past this? Next time ask for the sink and chair to be adjusted accordingly. Regardless of how long you are going to be washing your hair for, each minute matters!
Maybe you’re a keen swimmer? I always recommend swimming as it’s great for your joints, however the type of swimming you do can sometimes have an effect on your body. If you like to swim in a front crawl position, then be aware of your neck.
Turning your neck constantly, creating a repetitive motion can take its toll on your neck. It’s sometimes possible to over-use muscles and tendons in the neck so take extra care.
Next time you go swimming, try alternating your swimming type to a breast-stroke position. If you really must do front crawl however, try to go a little slower.
Been to the movies or to see a show recently? Another way in which you can often get neck pain, is by putting your neck in an awkward position for a long period of time.
So when you are watching something at the movies or at the theatre, think to yourself, are you looking up at the performance, or straight ahead?
If so try and get a seat further back, so that the performance is at eye level. Not only will this ease neck pain but it will also allow you to focus and enjoy the performance more!
The above also goes for book and tech lovers too. If you’re looking at your phone or reading a book for a long period of time then you may start to feel the strain on your neck too.
After a hard day at work, your bed can sometimes be so welcoming. It sometimes can feel as if you’re being greeted with a big hug as you get in bed and sleep snug.
However how many of you have woken up to neck pain, so much that you can’t physically turn your head? Me, too.
If this happens to you quite often or more often than you would like, then try changing your pillow to one that allows more support.
This tends to be why we get neck pain when we sleep. If your neck doesn’t have the support for your head then your neck will feel as if it’s in an unusual position and as a result, causes a stiff neck in the morning.
If you do have a stiff neck in the morning, to the extent that you can’t move it in a particular direction (i.e., left or right) then please don’t drive. Not only will this make it harder to drive, you may also make your neck pain worse with quick movements!
Many, if not all of the above are things we do in our everyday life and it can’t be helped. Only now, however, that we have identified how neck pain can be caused, that we know how to adjust our routine accordingly.
If you’d like more tips like this one ways to naturally ease neck pain then here’s a FREE report for you to download instantly: https://www.mmsspt.com/neck-shoulder-pain/
OR If you are suffering from chronic neck pain and stiffness or bad headaches because of neck tension then click below to get some help!
Trupti graduated with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from UNC- Chapel Hill in 2001. She has furthered her studies with numerous post-graduate courses focusing on the Neck, shoulder, knee, and back, with a strong emphasis in manual therapy. Recently completed courses in Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (Levels 1- 5), has afforded her an excellent way to relieve pain and help people get moving, active and healthy quickly and effectively.
With 20+ years of experience in Physical Therapy, Trupti has practiced in various orthopedic and sports focused clinical settings, in both the Raleigh-Durham, NC and DC regions. She has been Director of multiple Physical therapy Clinics in DC and also worked with some renowned specialists at Georgetown University Hospital in DC. During her years of service, Trupti has had the privilege of caring for a wide variety of clients: from school-aged children to retirees; from homemakers to business professionals; from weekend warriors to professional athletes.
Trupti is an avid fan of the outdoors, art, traveling and of course the Tar Heels. She enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew.
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