Do you have neck pain? There are many causes of neck pain ranging from poor posture, the clenched jaw, stress, repetitive neck motion, and injury. You can prevent a stiff neck with some lifestyle changes. Prevention like improving posture and regular exercise can strengthen your muscles and make them less likely to be strained or injured. That’s just a start. Here are some ways you can relieve your neck and muscle tensions.
Avoid activities that can worsen your symptoms like looking down at your phone. With the prevalent use of mobile devices and computers, which cause people to crane their necks downward angles. In fact, looking down at your phone, laptop, or other devices is the most common cause of neck strain. This hunched position puts a strain on the muscles and soft tissues of your neck. Just like sitting at a desk all day can lead to poor posture and neck strain, sitting behind the wheel of your car can impact your neck. When you have to drive for long periods, make sure to take breaks to stand up and stretch, set an alarm to remind you to check your posture while driving, and set your seat in a position that provides the best posture.
The position you sleep in at night can also impact how your neck feels. The best sleeping positions are on your side or your back. Those put less strain on your neck than sleeping on your stomach. When you sleep on your stomach, you’re forcing your neck to strain for long periods of time and this can cause pain and stiffness. If you sleep on your side for all or part of the night, you can buy a pillow with neck support.
Stretching is a great way to help prevent getting a stiff neck. Here are some good stretches for your neck:
- Squeeze your shoulder blades together several times
- Slowly move your ear to your shoulder on each side
- Slowly turn your head from side to side
- Roll your shoulders back and forth
Schedule Your Appointment Today with your Chiropractic Doctor if you still have neck pain. If you’ve been actively trying to improve your posture but are still feeling tense, it’s best to make an appointment for a chiropractic check-up. A chiropractic physician will be able to take an in-depth look at what is going on and potentially make some adjustments for your comfort. Chiropractic Physicians can help diagnose, treat, restore, and strengthen your body through our various massage therapy and chiropractic treatments. Now’s the time to put your posture first; Schedule an appointment with one of our primary care providers in Burien, WA, Kent, WA, Federal Way, WA, or Tacoma, WA today!