Many adults suffer from back or neck pain or stiffness. In some cases, this is related to accidents, injuries, or illnesses, but by and large, it is merely a symptom of the modern lifestyle.
Plenty of people these days spend their time hunched over a keyboard for several hours a day, and most of us suffer from ongoing stresses that can cause tension in our bodies. Whether you’re suffering the after effects of an old injury or you’re simply storing tension in your neck, the results are the same – discomfort that can stop you from enjoying your life.
The good news is that you can try several strategies to relieve or even eliminate neck pain or stiffness. Here are a few options to consider.
1. Awareness of Bad Habits
One common cause of neck pain and stiffness is poor posture. The next time you’re sitting at your computer, make a point of checking and adjusting your posture.
Even if you’re not leaning forward, you may still be slumping in your chair or inadvertently scrunching up your shoulders. All of these bad habits can contribute to neck pain.
Becoming aware of bad habits and poor posture at work and in life can help you to make simple changes that will reduce neck pain and stiffness. However, you might also want to consider ergonomic solutions (chair, keyboard, or even desk) if you spend a lot of time at a computer.
2. Exercise
Our bodies were made to move, and yet, many adults lead sedentary lives now that we no longer need to hunt and gather to feed ourselves. In other words, your lack of exercise could be a contributing factor to neck pain.
Adding exercise to your daily routine can help to release the muscle tension that plagues you by warming muscles and getting your blood flowing. Regardless of the exercise you choose, you should think about adding yoga or active stretching to your routine. Just make sure to speak with your physician before starting a new exercise regimen.
3. Massage
Massage is a great way to relieve muscle tension that can lead to stiffness and pain in your neck. It helps to loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow to the area.
4. Chiropractor
Subluxation, or an altered vertebral positioning, could be to blame for neck pain. A chiropractor can perform manual manipulation to treat this condition, helping to restore spinal position, reduce nerve irritation, increase range of motion, and relieve neck and back pain in the process.