How to Avoid Neck Pain
Neck pain can be avoided by becoming aware of how your neck interacts with your head and torso. How you sit while driving or at your desk, how you have to reach with your arms while working or what type of briefcase, backpack or handbag you carry can all cause you a pain in the neck. Try these exercises to keep the blood flowing.
Instructions
-
-
1
Take a deep breath in while you turn your head as far as you comfortably can to the left, and as you exhale turn your head as far as you comfortably can to the right. Do this three times. Do it every 45 to 60 minutes while you're at work
-
2
Shrug your shoulders and hold them as you take a full deep breath. Release your shoulders slowly as you exhale. Do this three times.
-
-
3
Drop your left ear to your left shoulder and, with your left hand, gently pull your right elbow down. Take a deep breath as you release the tension. Repeat this move to the right. Do this three times.
-
4
Do these movements in your car before you start driving. Reach behind you and interlock your hands, and with a deep breath stretch your hands toward the sky, lifting your shoulder blades together. Roll your shoulders forward and back while breathing in and out deeply. Shrug your shoulders like you did at your desk. Adjust the driver's seat and make sure the rearview mirrors are easy to see without having to strain your neck.
-
5
Sleep on a pillow that supports your head and won't have you fighting for balance all night. Some light stretching before bed can relax you and allow stressed muscles to release before you sleep. Upon awakening slowly stretch again.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Most neck pain is a mater of tightness that is related to stress. When you are stressed, you hold your head as if you are expecting to be swatted in the forehead with a rolled newspaper. This puts strain on your neck. The key is to relax and become aware of what is going on with your shoulders and head.
Chronic pain in your neck could be an indication of something very serious. If you have persistent neck pain and it is easily pinpointed to the same spot, you should seek medical opinion. Neck pain can be a symptom of many things other than stress.
