Pain in Neck

The Benefits If You Know about How to Prevent Pain in Neck

Are you in uncomfortable level because of pain in neck at this time? Do not worry because you are not the only. Millions of people suffer from this pain like you today and some have already been suffering for a long time from this pain without any solution. Pain in the neck is almost as common as back pain in the United States. The number of pain sufferers from cervical disc is staggering and appears to be rising. Between 38 and 50 percent of adults have some minor up to major neck pain.

There are various causes of pain in neck. Maybe everyone already knows that the neck support the head. Weight of the human head can reach over 15 pounds. If you imagine yourself carrying around a 15 pound weight all day it is not surprising that in the normal day to day activities of life you create stress on the neck and spine. Someone sitting at a keyboard all day with their head tilted in a particular angle can suffer from pain in the neck. Sleeping in a strange position can cause pain. Lifting, twisting, bending, reaching and other normal day to day activities can cause strain and pain.

Causes of Pain in Neck

- Pain in neck is usually a result of a strain or spasm in the muscles of the neck, which also includes pain in the shoulder area.

- Stress

- Less serious neck pain like a stiff neck is caused by poor posture or sleeping on a pillow that doesn't offer adequate support. 

- Sleeping on a pillow that does not support the neck properly and sleeping on the stomach also causes a stiff neck. 

- Apart from strains, worn-out neck joints will also ache, especially if neck straining jobs are done often especially in older people and this may advance to become osteoarthritis. 

- Nerves may also cause neck pain. Arthritis may cause bone spurs, which are hard, bony growths that put pressure on the nerves and trigger pain. 

- Herniated disks, where the inner layer that resembles gel in a disk juts out to the harder outer layer and bear down on the nerves, which causes pain. 

- Improper positioning of the computer monitor and working too long in front of the computer without a break

- Sometimes, neck pain is experienced as a symptom of an underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis which causes pain in the neck as does meningitis whose main symptoms is a painful and stiff neck. 

- Direct injuries to the neck such as through a car accident or a blow to it will also cause pain, as would a sudden jerking of the neck from side to side or back to front, which would stretch the neck's soft tissue too much.

- Sitting hunchback while working at your desk

Prevent and Treatment of Pain in The Neck

There are many things that must be done to prevent pain in neck as the following :

- Exercise the neck muscles by using stretching exercises geared towards the neck. These can be done right at your desk.

- Using good posture while walking, sitting, and sleeping. Avoid slouching.

- It is very important to choose the right office chair for back and neck pain relief and truly productive working hours.

- Avoid sitting for long periods of time without getting up or changing positions.

- Adjust the computer monitor so that the top of the computer screen is at eye level so that your head is not bent forward for long periods of time.

- This one of the best ideas that I started using years ago when I started spending more time with computer work. Use a document holder that attaches to the side of the computer screen or sits at the side on your work area.Instead of looking down at the paper, neck strain will be less because you are looking in a neutral position.

- Type without having to look at the keyboard to decrease neck strains.

- Getting a headpiece, or a speakerphone, will also decrease neck pain for those who spend more than a half hour at time on the phone.

- When driving in ones car, consider sitting the seat straight up and down. Have the seat adjusted so your knees are slightly bent and you are not stretching your legs to reach the pedals or your arms to reach the steering wheel.

- Evaluate the pillow you are using and look into one that allows your neck to stay in a neutral position while sleeping.

- If stress is the cause for the pain, consider relaxation exercises.

- Try a neck support. The support will make you keep you neck in alignment and your eyes will do their job without you straining your neck.

Treatment of pain in neck were divided into 2 :

- Medications include simple, common pain killers such as acetominiphine, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants.

-   -  Physical treatment can include physiotherapy, massage therapy, heat treatment, TENS treatment, acupuncture treatment and /or chiropractic treatment. Regular physical exercise is typically recommended as well.

In some cases when pain in neck becomes more severe then the solution is surgery.