Neck pain can happen out of nowhere, and it can be triggered by something as small as sleeping on your pillow the wrong way. Neck pain is a common condition because your neck is constantly at work holding your head and is the method by which you move it. On top of that, your neck connects your head to the rest of your body via your spine.
So, when you have neck pain, you’ll definitely notice it, and the pain in the neck doesn’t just stay there. It can radiate down into your upper back and can cause tension headaches.
Here are five lifestyle habits that could make your neck pain worse:
- Poor Posture
Neck pain is a common result of poor posture because this puts uneven stress and wear on your muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, and discs. This affects mobility, blood flow, and strength. Make sure to practice correct posture so that it becomes natural instead of a chore.
- Prolonged Computer/Phone Use
While this can be considered poor posture, the prolonged use of your computer or phone deserves its own section because this is such a common cause of neck pain. Many people hunch or bend their neck when using their computer or phone. Make sure to take breaks and to keep your head up and hold your phone out in front of you.
- Sleeping With Too Many Pillows
Your sleep position is crucial when it comes to whether you’ll have neck pain from a night of sleeping. The use of too many pillows forces your neck to bend and stay that way for an extended period of time. This strains your neck muscles and spine. Your head and neck should be aligned with the rest of your body.
- Lack of Physical Activity
With work and other responsibilities, physical fitness gets put on the back burner. Physical fitness/activity is a great way to keep your body balanced, strong, and healthy. Without it, you can experience neck pain, inflexibility, weakness, and poor movement.
- Emotional Stress
When you hold emotional stress, it doesn’t only affect your mind, but it affects your body. Stress can cause tension in your muscles and distort your posture, especially in your back and neck. Take the steps to adjust your lifestyle habits that are causing emotional stress to alleviate your neck pain.
We offer corrective care for neck pain at our three locations here at Encompass Chiropractic Centers; contact us today to learn more!