Do you usually have neck pain? Although you may overlook it, there are some everyday habits that play a role. Discover 6 causes of neck pain.
Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, is an uncomfortable symptom that is usually caused by muscle contraction in this area of the body. Sometimes we don’t know what the causes of neck pain are.
This manifests itself with a strong feeling of tension and rigidity, which, many times, hinders the normal movement of the head when performing daily tasks.
It is common among those who maintain a sedentary lifestyle. It is also recurrent in those who work seated or in activities that involve a lot of physical effort.
Although it is not serious and usually occurs sporadically, it is essential to identify its cause to combat it and avoid other complications. Taking into account that many are unaware of some habits that influence its appearance, below we want to share in detail 6 causes of neck pain.
1. Spend a long time in front of the computer.
Do neck pain usually afflict you when you are in front of the computer? If so, you should bear in mind that the posture your body acquires in this activity may be responsible for this symptom. This is because the muscles in this area get tired and tense, especially when the same position is held for a long time.
Suggestions:
- Maintain a correct posture when sitting.
- Take rest guidelines to stretch.
- Raise your computer screen to a height that does not involve bending your neck.
2. Using mobile devices inappropriately.
One of the reasons why patients with cervical discomfort have increased is due to the widespread and inappropriate use of mobile devices.
These elements, including cell phones and tablets, cause many to adopt incorrect postures for long periods of time. As a result, the cervical muscles become stressed and are more susceptible to injury.
Suggestions:
- Limit the use of these devices as much as possible, unless necessary.
- If you can’t disconnect, make sure to use them correctly, without bending your neck for too long.
- Do strengthening exercises to reduce tension.
3. Adopting a bad posture when sleeping:
A good quality of sleep allows us to relax our muscles to prepare them for a new day. However, if we do not adopt a correct body posture, it is very likely that the ailments in the neck and back will increase.
Suggestions:
- Don’t sleep on your back. This puts pressure on the neck, cervical, and lower back. If you can’t sleep in another position, put a pillow on your pelvis to reduce the pressure.
- Keep in mind that, to avoid these discomforts, the neck must be aligned with the spine, regardless of whether you sleep on your side or on your back.
- The head should not be too high because injuries increase in this area.
4. Carrying backpacks too heavy.
Great care! Although carrying backpacks and bags is a daily thing, their inappropriate use can be one of the causes of neck pain. This causes recurrent cervical discomfort. Carrying them badly, or adding too much weight, causes the muscles in this area to suffer.
Suggestions:
- Avoid carrying them with excessive weight, especially if you have to carry them for a long time.
- Do not use backpacks on one side of the body.
- These should not be more than 10% of body weight, especially in children.
5. Smoking is among the causes of neck pain.
The toxins in cigarettes not only negatively impact lung and cardiovascular health, but also interfere with muscle health over time. These prevent the proper oxygenation of the muscles and, in addition, increase dehydration and pain.
Its accumulation in the body can damage the discs of the back and neck, increasing the risk of herniated discs, torticollis, and muscle and joint weakness.
Suggestions:
- Try to quit smoking as soon as possible.
- Access detoxification methods to facilitate the elimination of toxins that accumulate in the body.
- Avoid exposing yourself to environments contaminated with cigarette smoke.
6. Performing sit-ups inappropriately.
We cannot deny that abdominal exercises have many benefits for our body. However, if done improperly, these could be another cause of neck and spine pain. Although at first it is not perceived, the muscles that surround the neck suffer from a bad effort in the area.
Suggestions:
- Focus the physical effort on the abdominal area and not on the cervical part.
- Keep your gaze upward so there is a good gap between your chin and chest.
Do you usually have constant neck pain? If so, it is likely that one of these everyday habits is influencing its appearance. Try to take the necessary measures to reduce it and, in addition to this, try to exercise to increase strength and support in this area.
