Chances are, you’ll experience neck pain at some point, if you haven’t already. One of the most common musculoskeletal complaints, neck pain is linked with anxiety, stress, and reduced quality of life.
Unhealthy habits are among the most common causes of neck pain. They can also make existing neck pain much worse. Turning those habits around can help protect your neck from damage, injury, and increasing pain.
Our expert team at ReGen Pain Management, led by Dr. Jonathan Koning, provides customized neck pain care in Plano, Texas, to help you regain your comfort and vitality.
Here’s a look at common habits that could be making your neck pain worse, plus what to do instead.
While good posture keeps your spine in alignment, easing pressure on your back, poor posture can cause and worsen neck pain.
Aim to keep your spine in a neutral versus hunched position, keeping your ears over your shoulders and your shoulders back. This includes while you’re seated at a desk or looking at devices, like a tablet or computer.
Healthy and strong core muscles support your spine and prevent excess strain on your neck. If you seldom exercise, those muscles remain weak, making way for neck pain.
Rather than leave your vertebrae to do all the work, strengthen surrounding muscles with core exercises, aerobic workouts, and flexibility training. In particular, about 20 minutes of strength training exercise, such as lifting weights, planks, and pushups, three times per week can help.
Lifting a heavy object with poor form is a leading cause of injuries, such as disc herniation and muscle strain, that cause and exacerbate neck pain. The wrong lifting position relies heavily on your back, rather than your legs, for support.
To lift a heavy item without hurting your neck or spine, keep the object close to your body, and bend your knees as you lower and raise them. For lifting particularly heavy objects, especially during a neck pain flare-up, ask for help or use an ergonomic lifting device.
While health comes in many body shapes and sizes, carrying too many pounds for your frame can put excess strain on your neck and spine.
Keeping your weight within a healthy range through habits like a balanced diet, routine exercise, stress management, and sufficient sleep, leads to evenly distributed weight and a reduced risk for chronic pain.
Some causes of neck pain, such as osteoarthritis, are progressive, meaning they worsen over time — particularly without treatment. Unmanaged neck pain may even raise your risk for falls and injuries.
By getting the expert care you need sooner than later, you can experience comfort and ease while staving off complications. Our team personalizes neck pain treatment plans, which usually consist of noninvasive options that alleviate related symptoms, too, such as inflammation and stiffness.
We can also guide you through appropriate lifestyle changes.
To learn more about neck pain causes or get started with personalized support, call us at ReGen Pain Management today.
