Neck Pain
What is Neck Pain?
Neck pain is defined as a discomfort in the neck area. Neck pain is often the result of a disorder of any of the structures in the neck including the cervical vertebrae.
What Causes Neck Pain?
Neck pain can have several triggers including the following:
• Trauma or injury
• Herniated cervical disk
• Worry and stress
• Tumors
• Falling or sleeping in an uncomfortable position
• Prolonged use of a computer keyboard
What Can I Do?
• Remain as active as possible. Go to work and maintain your usual daily actives. Bed rest is generally not necessary.
• Keep in mind that neck pain will generally diminish within one week.
• If you experience pain in the neck for long periods, speak with a medical professional for a physical examination.
• Always sit in a neutral position looking straight ahead.
• Slowly move your head one inch to the right and then to the left.
• Move your neck downward, moving your chin downward toward your chest. Remain in this position for 10 seconds.
• Apply a heating pad or ice pack to your neck every few hours for relief.
Tips for Preventing Neck Pain:
• Take several breaks for a few seconds every hour and stretch and move your neck.
• Keep any heavy loads close to you when you attempt to lift them.
• Use your legs to lift instead of your back.
• Avoid reaching over your head with your arms for objects that are far away from you.
• Limit the amount of times you move your neck up and down.
Are you sitting comfortably?
1. Ensure that your eyes are level with whatever you are looking at.
2. Your arms should be relaxed with no tension in the wrist.
3. Keep your spine in an “S” shaped pattern.
4. Don’t cross your legs.
5. Keep your feet flat on the floor.
6. Allow enough space between the object you are in front of and your feet.
Common signs that you aren’t include:
• Pain in your neck
• Headaches
• Pain in the shoulder
• Reduced range of motion in your neck
• Numbness or weakness in the arms, hands, legs and feet
• Problems walking including “spastic gait”
• Muscle weakness in your legs
This is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of a trained medical professional.