Neck pain is never a fun thing to have to deal with. Below are a few tips on handling it effectively!
1. Stay hydrated
The discs between the vertebrae in your spine require water to maintain disc height and spinal alignment and to take pressure off the spine. Each individual spinal disc is roughly 80 percent water at when we’re born, with this ratio decreasing as we age and the disc degenerates.
Over time, maintaining strong daily hydration habits may prevent further degeneration of cervical discs, which may reduce neck pain.
2. Be careful how you use your phone
One way you may not even realize that you’re aggravating your neck is by cradling your phone in your neck while you’re talking. This puts unneeded strain on your cervical spine.
In addition, many people are starting to experience text neck by craning their neck down to look at their phone while they text or browse the internet.
Avoid neck pain from phone use with these tips:
Use a Bluetooth or hands-free headset to make calls.
When you’re browsing or texting, hold the phone up high to decrease the angle at which you’re holding your neck.
Take frequent breaks to stretch your neck.
3. Get in the pool
Many Forum members note the therapeutic effects that swimming has on their neck pain, specifically in reducing inflammation, providing quick pain relief, and easing neck stiffness. Interesting tips have included:
Getting the water level up to the neck and simply moving around.
Squatting until the water reaches the chin, then moving back and forth and to the right and to the left.
Using a swimming pool that is quite warm.
For some, swimming is too strenuous on the neck. In that case, water therapy, which is gentle exercise done in a warm swimming pool, is often a great alternative to land-based exercises.
4. Choose a neck-supporting chair
Maintaining good posture is a good way to keep neck pain under control. A headrest can help to keep your cervical spine in a neutral position, so consider getting an office chair with one…and using it. Also make it a point to use the headrest on your recliner and in your car, when you can.
5. Increase magnesium intake
Neck pain is most frequently the result of a muscle strain or sprain. Increasing your intake of magnesium, a mineral that aids in the contraction and relaxation of muscles, may help avoid these pain causing problems.
Magnesium is commonly found in fruits, vegetables, beans, soy products, and whole grains. Read the nutrition labels on products to see how much of your daily recommended amount of magnesium they provide.
LifeQuest Physical Medicine and Rehab is always standing by to help you with any issues concerning neck pain! Our experts in the field are ready to help you get your health and comfort back today! Give us a call!
