Is there a constant pain in your neck that just doesn’t ever seem to go away? You haven’t experienced an injury, so why is your neck bothering you?

Often the explanation is not easy to decipher and diagnosing the cause can be frustrating. Never dismiss potential “self-inflicted” causes of neck pain.
Here are 4 everyday things we have all been guilty of and ways to correct the bad habit:

  1. Sleeping on your stomach: In order to sleep on your stomach your head must turn; the neck was not created to stay in that position for hours at a time.  Correct the problem by sleeping on your back or side with the right support.
  2. Holding your cell phone with your shoulder: This position can pinch nerves in your neck resulting in pain, numbness and tingling throughout the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand. Try using an earpiece or headset regularly, you will be surprised at the difference it will make.
  3. Looking down. Whether you’re angling your head down to view your computer screen or using your phone all day, you are putting a lot of pressure on your neck. The regularity in which we engage in these activities adds up and can damage for your neck over time. Correct this by concentrating on good posture. If at a computer raise the screen so the top of the screen lines up with your forehead. If using your phone, hold it higher to decrease the angle of your neck.
  4. Carrying items only on one side. Carrying your purse, briefcase or backpack consistently on one side can lead to stubborn neck pain and arthritic conditions in your spine. Start being conscious of what side you carry these items on and regularly alternate.

The neck (or cervical spine) is intended for strength and nerve communication. There are several complications that cause not only neck pain but can irritate the head, shoulder, arms and hands.

Follow us on Facebook as we continue our video series by our own Dr. James Zaslavsky.

If you have back pain or back problems, make an appointment with one of First State Spine’s specialists for recommendations on which exercise program would be best for you.

It’s time to get a handle on your spine health and live free of pain! However, always check with your physician to see if these tips are safe to follow based on your health history.