The age-old problem of neck pain and chronic discomfort has stumped mankind since the dawn of time. While we’re not sure what cavepeople talked about while hunting mammoths, foraging for fruit and making fires inside caves, we imagine it went something like this: “after the hunt, can you give me a massage?”
All joking aside, neck ailments are an experience that leaves millions of people around the globe feeling helpless, strained and unable to tackle the projects on their to-do lists. Luckily for us, the chiropractic field took this complaint seriously and found a potential culprit behind these uncomfortable ordeals: standing for an extended period.
More specifically, patients dealing with neck pain who spend most of their day on their feet showcased bad habits that contributed to their issues over the years. If you’re tired of suffering and desperately want a solution for eliminating your neck pain, here’s what you need to know.
The Main Areas of Concern
First and foremost, standing for prolonged periods, when performed correctly, is perfectly safe. Moreover, the physiology of the human body is oriented in such a way that upright walking promotes efficient circulation, the burning of excess calories and the lengthening of pertinent muscle groups.
The problem arises when the nagging sensation of fatigue and stress creep into our lives. When this occurs, we start to roll our shoulders forward, slouch down, point our chest to the floor and tilt our heads forwards. And when introduced to cell phones, text messages, social media notifications and round-the-clock entertainment, our neck discomfort compounds with each passing day.
Before we know it, we have a debilitating headache that won’t go away, and it feels as though the world is resting upon our weary shoulders. Our solution is simple: better posture must come first. Posture is the cure-all for most of our neck issues, and by introducing a few simple steps into our daily practices, we can reduce our side effects substantially. Before discussing lifestyle modifications and small habits to correct neck pain, we must first understand its origins and symptoms. When in its correct position, the neck supports our head and acts as an anchor that aligns our head to our spinal column and lower extremities.
However, if we introduce excessive phone usage or computer interaction into the mix, our chin protrudes forward and misaligns the placement of our neck. This orientation generates stress and places it directly onto our cervical spine, leaving us feeling sore, inflamed and ready to crawl into a ball and call in sick from work. In the world of chiropractic care, the consensus is that every inch of misalignment of the neck creates an additional 10 pounds of pressure on the cervical spine.
Fast forward for a few years, and you soon see the larger picture of chronic neck pain and discomfort. When learning about this topic, many patients are left asking themselves a question: “what are the signs of incorrect neck posture?” While each patient has a unique physiological makeup, many individuals report the following side effects:
- Frequent headaches
- Tinnitus
- Rounded shoulders
- Brain fog
- Back pain and swelling
- Fatigue
- Forward-leaning gait
- Dizziness and instability
To put it simply, many individuals who battle chronic neck discomfort report low quality of life. If you’re the type of individual who relies on over-the-counter pain medication, daily use of heat packs, specialized creams and desperately needs relief, seeking chiropractic consultation is your solution.
Stop Suffering in Silence
Many individuals struggling with daily neck pain are fighting a silent battle with their bodies. Instead of enjoying themselves at a family gathering or birthday party, they’re slipping into a bathroom to take medications to alleviate their stress and agony. Simply put, their lives are dulled and handicapped by an issue that seemingly has no cure. But we’ll let you in on a secret: help is on the way!
Our chiropractors are willing and able to alleviate your neck issues while introducing new behaviors and habits that will cause your strain to melt away. Whether you’ve been suffering for years with neck woes or you’re new to this experience, you deserve better. Reach out today and let us help you regain control of your pain and live life on your terms once more! The first step towards a pain-free lifestyle begins by asking for help. Call us today at 205-637-1363.
