How To Relieve Tension In Your Neck And Upper Back
Do you find yourself constantly digging your fingertips into your neck and shoulders, hoping to relieve the ongoing pain and discomfort?
You aren’t alone. The neck is the second-most prevalent location for chronic pain experienced by Americans, trailing only the lower back. Harvard School of Medicine estimates that seven out of ten people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives.
Why is it so normal? Take a look at some of the most common reasons for neck and shoulder pain:
- Trauma
- Degenerative diseases, such as arthritis
- Abnormalities in the bones and joints
- Poor posture
- Sleeping in the wrong position
- Working on a computer all day
- Texting too much
As you can see, technology is a key contributor to our back and neck pain. Sitting at a computer for eight hours a day can wreck our spines, especially when we have poor posture. Cell phones are just as guilty; looking down at your phone can put over 60 extra pounds of pressure on your neck. This has further increased the prevalence of neck pain, and even has its own medical term – text neck.
- If you suffer from pain in your neck and shoulders, here are some things you can try to relieve the tension:
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as Tylenol or Aleve.
- Ease the pain with an ice pack or heating pad.
- Practice proper posture. Whether you are sitting, standing, or laying down, having good posture will minimize the amount of stress on your joints and muscles.
- Get active. Exercise multiple times per week and take short-but-frequent breaks at work to get away from your desk and walk around.
- Stretch your neck and shoulder muscles every morning and evening to prevent them from getting tight.
- If your neck pain is getting worse, see your doctor. A trained medical professional will accurately diagnose the cause of your neck pain and develop an appropriate plan to treat it.
The medical professionals at Orthopaedic Specialty Group have helped Connecticut residents overcome their neck pain for years. We offer a variety of pain management techniques and surgical procedures to treat any form of neck pain. If you live in Fairfield County, schedule an appointment with our neck specialists today by calling (203) 337-2600.