Here at Pure Chiropractic we don’t just want to tell you we address neck pain problems (we do). We also want to educate you about neck pain so you don’t make the pain even worse!
How to Avoid Severe Neck Problems
The two “danger zones” for creating neck pain happen to be two places we tend to spend the most time.
The first danger zone is in your bed. The way you sleep has a huge impact on neck health. Navigating this danger zone begins with purchasing a good pillow. You want one which will support the natural curve of your spine. This may mean upgrading to a memory foam pillow or choosing a contoured pillow designed specifically to support spinal health. You can find some good options by visiting this website.
Ideally you’ll sleep on your side. That’s the best position for supporting neck health. However, if you absolutely must sleep on your back then you should find a neck-support pillow for back sleepers.
The second danger zone is at the office, especially if you work on a computer all day long. These days, most people work on laptops, which they place flat on the desk surface. This causes them to look down at the screen. Ideally, however, you’d raise the screen to eye height so you could keep your neck straight throughout the day.
The same goes for texting on your mobile phone, something nearly everyone does. Most people text by looking down. Doing this too long and too often can really put a strain on your neck. Try lifting the phone to eye height instead.
How to Avoid Making Existing Neck Problems Worse
Chances are you already have some neck problems or you wouldn’t be reading this page. In my experience there are four big mistakes patients use when trying to manage neck pain:
- Mistake #1 – Trying to exercise the pain away. Many of my patients make their pain worse by attempting to stretch the pain away. Some seek yoga classes or other exercises to “strengthen their neck muscles” or “work the kink out.” This is akin to trying to run a marathon to strengthen your ankle after you’ve sprained it. These activities are helpful when your neck is healthy—not when it’s already hurting.
- Mistake #2 – Applying heat. Heat actually increases inflammation, leading to more pain. If the problem is a chronic one neither heat nor cold will help very much, even though the heat may feel good at first. If you’ve recently injured your neck you can apply ice.
- Mistake #3 – Trying to mask the pain with aspirin or NSAIDs. It’s one thing to pop a couple of Advil when you’re at work, in pain, and just can’t get away. It’s another to continue to use Advil or Bayer over and over again to manage a chronic neck problem. The problem is not going to go away on its own, and these drugs do come with side effects. They’re not really meant to be used as a daily solution.
- Mistake #4 – Waiting too long to get help. Obviously the first three mistakes are often used in conjunction with this fourth mistake, as they’re all stalling mechanisms meant to keep you from having to seek professional aid. In reality, a chiropractic adjustment and/or a massage treatment may spare you from having to endure many days of severe pain. You may also avoid any additional complications which may be caused by your neck pain by simply getting help as soon as you notice there could be a problem.
How Pure Chiropractic Helps with Neck Pain
We draw upon several recognized and effective chiropractic and therapeutic massage techniques to help you get relief from your neck pain. We’ll start with a consultation and an x-ray so we will know exactly what is going on with your neck and how best to address the issue. You don’t have to keep gritting your teeth through the pain. Call and make an appointment today!
