If you understand how complex and unique the neck is, you will appreciate its construction. It is an exciting combination of mobility, function, and strength. The neck is also known as the cervical spine. The neck serves as a highly flexible link between the head and the rest of the body. The upper cervical spine's primary purpose is to balance and support the head while allowing its various movements.
The neck has a complicated structure, made up of seven cervical vertebrae connected by a collection of joints, spinal ligaments, muscles, nerves, discs, and blood vessels. The central nervous system (CNS) positions within your spinal column. Your neck is in charge of protecting the brainstem as it exits from the base of your skull and goes through the spinal cord beneath it.
However, it is also highly vulnerable to wear and tear and injury because of the neck’s natural flexibility and mobility. As a result, it can lead to neck pain.
For many individuals, facing the challenges of neck pain can be a regular thing. Maintaining your daily routine and staying active are the best things you can do to lessen the impact of pain in your life. You may also need to change how you do certain activities to avoid the risk of aggravating your irritated and tender tissues. It means you will not need to stop making your bad habits. This list will provide clues on which of your daily habits is contributing to your neck pain. Also, we will be showing you ways to relieve the discomfort and pain in your neck:
Most people who suffer from neck pain discover that sleeping on their backs or sides can give them more comfortable and restful sleep or rest. Sleeping on the stomach can be incredibly hard on the tissues of your neck because your neck is turned maximally to one side for prolonged periods at a time. Back sleepers can use a pillow that correctly supports the natural curve in the neck. There are some pillows designed with an indentation that cradles the head properly. Side sleepers should choose a pillow that is enough to keep the neck in a neutral position.
You can try and adjust the seat position by moving it slightly better from the steering wheel, allowing you to feel more relaxed while driving. Also, you can vary the angle of your backrest. Then, use a small pillow to support your lower back (lumbar spine) because this can prevent low back pain and give your proper support as well. Further, pay careful attention to your head position. Try to keep the back of your head in close contact with the headrest behind you. Doing so will ease the stress between your shoulder blades and on your neck. Lastly, when taking long drives, you can take regular breaks to get out of the vehicle so you can stretch your legs.
Make sure to set up your workstation as ergonomically as you can. It is essential, especially when your work requires you to be sitting down for prolonged periods. There are some factors that you will need to consider adjusting to make your workstation easy to use. Use a chair that is enough for you, allowing your feet to touch the floor flat and allowing your knees slightly bent lower than your hips. Your computer monitor should be directly in front of you and set at eye level. Have an ergonomic chair, too, as this will be one of your best tools to prevent back and neck pain from happening whenever you work for long hours.
If you’re carrying grocery bags (or anything for that matter), always do your best to balance the load properly on both arms rather than having most of the weight only on one side. Also, this is something to consider when choosing a bag or purse that you carry regularly. Aim to avoid having heavy loads on only one shoulder to prevent neck and shoulder pain from happening.
You can continue playing your usual sports activities as long as you can tolerate it. However, there may be a need to minimize the level of intensity in your games to prevent injuries and straining your back and neck muscles. Staying active will help your body heal quicker if you become injured. You can also opt to do cross-training exercises and focus on your body's specific areas to strengthen and improve.
Be vigilant about your use of technology. When you stare down at your tablet, smartphone, or laptop, it will put a strain on your neck when it occurs for prolonged periods. As a result, there is added pressure in the neck to keep your head upright. Rather than looking down at your gadget, you can hold it up at the eye level. You can also buy a stand or holder for your devices to make it easier to use without putting any strain or pressure on your back or neck.
Start paying close attention to all these daily routines so you can prevent neck pain from becoming a regular thing.
There are many easy to use and temporary remedies for neck pain. It would include applying a heating pad or taking pain medication. However, these solutions only offer temporary relief because they do not deal with the underlying cause of neck pain.
Since we already know how complicated the neck can be, it is also essential to understand that upper cervical chiropractic focuses on one region of the flexible and complicated neck. The upper cervical spine's topmost bones are critical areas. Why? Because it has the most impact on how the neck functions and feels.
The atlas vertebra (the topmost bone) is in the upper cervical spine. This atlas bone has unique and crucial functions. The atlas bone supports the head and gives it remarkable freedom of motion. The atlas is freely movable and very vulnerable to becoming misaligned if you experience any head or neck injury or trauma.
Therefore, when the atlas vertebra shifts out of its stable position, the rest of your neck will be forced into a stressed position to compensate for the head's weight that is carried improperly.
The upper cervical chiropractic approach focuses on restoring the normal atlas alignment and addressing the underlying cause of many health problems you may encounter. Getting rid of your stubborn and discomforting neck pain will mean you can enjoy doing your daily routine without worries.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
