Do you sometimes experience neck pain or tight neck muscles? Have you discovered that you are developing a bad case of text neck? If so, you have reached the right place. In this post, Our London chiropractor shares some simple tips which will help you show your neck some love this February. Let’s jump straight in.
Be Mindful About How You Use Mobile Devices
Our London chiropractic clinic has seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients presenting with neck pain over the past years. The reason for this increase is simple — more people are spending a lot of time using mobile electronic devices like laptops, mobile phones, and tablet devices.
When a person uses a mobile electronic device, they tend to hold it in a downward posiiton and look down towards it. This puts significant strain on the muscles and ligaments of the neck, increasing the risk of repetitive stress injury. To reduce your risk of experiencing neck pain from mobile device usage, follow these tips:
- Raise your device
Hold your device higher, so your head isn’t bent as far forward. If you can, place the device on a table or shelf at eye level. - Stand straight
If you are standing while using the device, be mindful of your posture. Stand straight, don’t hunch your shoulders, and avoid hyper extending your neck. - Use hands-free voice commands
Instead of staring at your screen all of the time, use voice commands to type, make calls, and read content. - Take regular breaks
Set a timer to remind yourself to take a break every 30 to 45 minutes. Use this time to walk around and stretch your neck.
Spend Less Time Sitting
Sitting is another common cause of neck problems which need to be corrected with chiropractic care. Spending a lot of time in a chair will compress the spine and place more pressure on the intervertebral discs which separate vertebrae. It can also increase the risk of poor posture which places stress on the neck that can lead to pain.
Do your best to limit time in a chair, take regular breaks and incorporate more walking into your day. Look for opportunities to get up and about, like walking during your lunch break and standing up while on the phone. Using a chair with neck support can also be useful.
Support Your Lower Back
It’s important to understand that the neck isn’t an isolated part of the body. It is a part of the spine and the way you position the rest of your spine can have an impact on it.
For example, if you add more support to your lower spine, it can reduce the amount of pressure on the neck. How? Because the weight of your head will be carried all the way along the spine instead of part of the way. Your neck muscles won’t have as much weight to carry.
Get A Massage
Massage therapy can be very useful for treating the issues that neck pain. It is particularly helpful for loosening tight muscles in the neck, which restores mobility, relieves pain and improves posture. Talk to a qualified massage therapist or chiropractor about massage.
Try Yoga
There are many health benefits associated with yoga, including improved strength, flexibility, and posture. It’s also a fantastic way to boost your mental health and relax after a hard day. There are several yoga poses which are effective at improving the health of the neck, including Extended Puppy Pose, Warrior II, Cat-Cow Pose, Thread The Needle Pose. and Cow Face Pose. This 10 minute neck, shoulders, and upper back routine may also be useful.
Go For A Dip
Water therapy is an excellent form of low-impact exercise for people who have neck pain. Because you are in the water, you will have buoyancy, so there is less pressure on your spine. It will let you work out and strengthen the muscles that support your neck, with less pain.
Visit A London Chiropractor
Chiropractic care can be effective at treating many common causes of neck pain.
When you visit MotionBack our central London chiropractic clinic, our experienced London chiropractors will be able to:
- Identify poor posture or lifestyle factors which may be causing neck pain
- Explain how to strengthen your neck through targeted exercise
- Share stretches to improve flexibility
- Identify serious underlying issues which need to be corrected with chiropractic care or a referral to a doctor
- Offer lifestyle tips which will help you improve the health of your spine
Give us a call today on 0207 112 5408 to make an appointment and don’t forget to treat your neck with love!