Neck pain is common. 70% of people or more will likely experience neck pain and/or impairment in their lifetime, and evidence indicates that number is growing. We live in a world where it’s increasingly common to have our heads at unnatural angles as we rely on screens that are either below or above our natural line of vision.
While neck pain might start as a minor nuisance, it can grow into something more severe. After all, almost all of your body’s primary nerves are ultimately routed through the top of your spine. When something goes wrong with your neck, it can easily affect other areas.
Left unchecked, neck pain can lead to shoulder pain, back pain, sensations in your limbs and extremities, headaches, and more. For some, neck pain can even turn into an ongoing disability.
Before you can effectively treat the problem, however, it’s important to understand what’s causing it in the first place.
What is Causing Your Neck Pain?
The cause of neck pain can differ from person to person. It could be caused by a past injury or even genetics. There can also be diseases such as arthritis.
But for most people, it stems from posture and positioning. When your head is at an unnatural angle, extra pressure is placed on your neck. The longer you’re in that position, the more strain your neck endures. It doesn’t take long for pain and injury to arise.
Tilting your neck just 15 degrees can put 27 pounds of extra pressure on your spine. When you consider that the average American spends over 5 hours looking at their phone screen, it’s not hard to see why neck pain is so common. Of course, it’s not just phone screens that are the problem.
More and more people are working from home. While this can be great in terms of convenience, many people lack the ergonomic setups that offices typically offer. Instead, they spend their entire workday with their head angled down towards a computer screen.
How you sleep also plays a major role in how your neck feels. Sleeping with your neck angled either too much or not enough results in your neck enduring hours of stress every night. It’s even worse for stomach-sleepers who have their necks fully turned in one direction or the other.
All in all, the average person’s neck endures a lot of stress in a given day.
What Can Be Done?
One of the most important things you can do when it comes to neck pain is to be mindful. Pay attention to how you’re sitting, what angle you’re viewing screens at, and how often you’re taking breaks to stretch and relax your neck.
If you’re experiencing ongoing neck pain or tension, it’s a good idea to see a specialist sooner rather than later. An experienced chiropractor can help address and relieve neck tension while also empowering you with stretches and exercises to achieve long-lasting results.
If you’re in need of a chiropractor in the Prior Lake area, contact Watkins Family Chiropractic today! We’re happy to discuss your issues and options in a free consultation, or we can start treating you immediately. With Watkins Family Chiropractic, you never have to worry about high-pressure sales tactics or overly aggressive adjustments. We provide treatment based on your needs, schedule, and budget.
Contact us today to get started!
