Neck Pain

Neck Pain is a popular complaint nowadays and most of us are suffering from this disability. It should not be neglected as it can be a symptom of a more serious problem. Neck muscles can be strained from improper posture be it leaning over the computer or hunching over the workbench. One must seek medical help immediately if the neck pain is accompanied by numbness or loss of strength in arms or hands etc.

Causes Behind Neck Pain

Muscle Strains- excess use of mobile phones or spending too many hours hunching over a computer, laptop or smartphone often triggers muscle strains, even minor activities like reading in bed or gritting teeth continuously can strain neck muscles. Worn joints- neck joints tend to wear down with age just like other joints in the body. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions between the bones to deteriorate and the body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion which results in serious neck pain. Nerve compression- herniated discs or bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck can compress the nerves branching out from the spinal cord. Injuries- Rear-end auto collisions often causes whiplash injury, and it occurs when the head is jerked backward and forward leads the soft tissues of the neck getting strained.

Disease- various diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer causes serious neck pain.

Prevention Of Neck Pain

Use good posture- while standing or sitting, be sure to keep shoulders in a straight line over hips and ears must be directly over the shoulders. Taking Frequent Break- do not work for a very long time continuously. Take a break in between for some minutes even if someone is doing important work. As the result may be too bad. Adjust desk, chair and computer or laptop-always keep the computer in such a way that the monitor is at eye level. Keep the knees slightly lower than hips. Avoid tucking the phone- it is very important to maintain a distance when talking over the phone. Using headphone or speakerphone is the best option to get rid of neck pain. Avoid carrying heavy things- carrying a heavy load is yet one of the most common reasons for neck pain. Try to carry bags or any heavy things on hands, the weight of the bag can strain the neck.

Conclusion

Our neck is flexible and thus supports the weight of our head, so it can be vulnerable to injuries and condition that causes neck pain and restrict motion. Most neck pain is associated with poor and unhealthy posture combined with age-related wear and tear. Though there are various measures that can be adapted to prevent neck pain it is sad that we are neglecting this serious disability.