Check Out your Neck Problem before it Wrecks your Life

Never Wear a Soft Neck Collar Continuously

Have we ever spent time thinking about our neck that supports the weight of our head and is also involved in a significant amount of motion? Its also the part of the body that suffers from frequent pain owing to our work profiles. Individuals working on a computer, people employed in bank jobs or even an architect involved in doing intricate plans suffer from neck pain. So, what’s the solution for such an omnipresent problem?
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Neck Pain: Going Down the Spine
The neck is a part of the long flexible column called the backbone which extends downwards. The neck (cervical spine) is composed of vertebrae that begin in the upper torso and end at the base of the skull. These vertebrae along with ligaments and muscles keep the spine stable. The neck is less-protected compared to the rest of the spine and this makes it vulnerable to injury and disorders that cause pain and restrict motion.

Neck pains mostly last only for a few weeks and is a temporary condition that disappears in course of time. For a few others it keeps persisting calling for a medical diagnosis and treatment successively. Common causes of a neck pain include soft tissue abnormalities and this pain acts as the root cause behind pain in the upper back, shoulders and arms. By soft-tissue abnormalities we refer to some injury such as a road accident where the individual falls with his/her head forward or due to wear and tear which is common when the concerned person sits at a desk for a long time. Sleeping in awkward position is also a common cause for a neck pain.

Relieving Pain
Try any of the following methods to relieve neck pain:

1. Use over-the-counter medications to relieve pain
2. Apply heat or ice to the pain-inflicted area. It is better to use ice up to the first 72 hours and then go for heat. Heat treatments can include a hot compress, a warm shower or a heating pad. Take care to ensure that you are not sleeping with the hot compress or the ice bag through the night as this might affect the skin.
3. Massage the painful area
4. Use a pillow to support your neck or you can even use a neck pillow that offers special comfort.
5. Use a soft neck collar after discussing with your healthcare provider. This must be used only for 2-4 days as prolonged use of it can make your neck muscles weaker. Give gaps in between using the collar to allow your neck muscles to become stronger.
6. Some feel that acupuncture also relieves neck pain
   
   

Changing Lifestyle
While you might have been living based on a certain lifestyle neck pain forces the individual to reduce activities though bed rest is not recommended by doctors. It is essential to stay as active as possible without causing risk to the neck. Some major points to follow:

• Don’t do physical activity for the first couple of days as you need some time off to reduce swelling and get out of symptoms
• Don’t lift weights, don’t involve yourself in activities that require you to lift heavy weights or twist your neck at least for a period of 45 days
• Avoid driving for some time as you might not be able to move your head easily
• Stop doing jogging, dancing, weight lifting, leg lifts while lying on the stomach, contact sports, racquet sports, sit ups or playing golf unless you are given a green signal by your physician
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Physical therapy is critical to cure your pain. Massage and physical exercises are advised that help to improve posture and strengthen neck muscles. The physical therapist also advises you on the required treatment period after which you can start doing neck stretching and strengthening exercises as doing them too soon after injury can worsen pain but performing them is required for long-term health.

Preventing Pain
One of the main causes of neck pain these days is working at a computer or a desk. If you do so, ensure that you:

• Stretch your neck every hour or so
• Type from documents by placing them at eye level
• Have a chair that has a straight back and an adjustable seat, back, armrest and a revolving seat.
• Use a headset while speaking over the phone if using a telephone is the main part of the job
  
  

Also:

• Don’t stand continuously but take breaks in between
• Use a firm mattress and the right pillow to support your head
• Relax your body by doing meditation, yoga and tai chi
• Avoid wearing heels. Heels can affect your body’s health in several other ways and for a list of its side effects please visit the website www.firsteatright.com.
• Take breaks when driving to a long-distance place. Also, don’t lift heavy objects just after driving
  
  

Despite doing the above some individual suffer from ever-lasting neck pain called as chronic neck pain. In this case, you can only find ways to minimize pain and make it tolerable to continue life. Chronic neck pain can pave way for frustration, stress and irritation which can further increase neck pain. Your physician might direct you to a rheumatologist, neurosurgeon or a mental health provider to take care of the chronic pain. 

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Spending Incessant Time Sitting at the Desk Causes Pain in the Neck