6 Bad Habits That Could Be Contributing to Your Neck Pain

Waking up with neck pain is a miserable way to start the day. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from chronic neck aches, and many resign themselves to a lifetime of pain with the belief that there's no cure in sight. However, ending years of neck pain is completely doable, and it starts with recognizing bad habits that can hugely impact your neck. Keep reading to see if you've picked up any of these pain-inducing habits and learn what you can do to change.
1. Using Your Phone Too Much Not many of us can go more than a few hours without checking our phones. Unfortunately, when we do so, we tend to hunch over, which results in neck strain and pain. Ideally, you could eliminate phone time to spare your neck, but if you can't cut it out entirely, at least change how you handle your phone. Instead of staring down at the small screen, raise the phone closer to eye level. Start paying attention to how much time you spend on your phone and make a conscious effort to set it down every once in a while, stretch, and relax your muscles.
2. Smoking Cigarettes are terrible for your body overall, and your neck is no exception. Nicotine damages your blood vessels, which restricts blood flow to your spine and can cause issues like slipped discs. Smoking also dehydrates you, which decreases the cushioning fluid in your discs. Talk to your doctor about creating a plan to quit today - the longer you smoke, the worse your neck pain can get.
3. Having Bad Posture When you slump (for instance, when you hunch over your phone), your vertebrae are out of alignment. This musculoskeletal misalignment causes pain that gets worse the longer you remain in the same stance. Whether you're sitting or standing, make sure your shoulders are back, not hunched forward. Keep your head up and straight so your neck aligns with your back. It's easy to slip back into learned poor posture when you take your mind off of how you're standing, so intentionally check in with your posture multiple times a day and correct as needed.
4. Sleeping Incorrectly Sleeping on your stomach or on the wrong pillow forces your neck into an awkward position. For better neck support, sleep on your side or back and invest in a comfortable pillow that keeps your neck level.
5. Sitting Down for Long Stretches If you work in a white-collar job, chances are you spend several hours a day in the same position, staring at a computer screen. Maintaining the same position can cause your muscles to stiffen and ache, and leaning forward to look at a computer screen exacerbates the problem. Stand up, stretch, and move around the office at least once an hour. Consider requesting a standing desk, too - instead of remaining in one position throughout the entire workday, you can alternate between sitting and standing to give your muscles a break. Don't forget to adjust your monitor to accommodate your neck: your main focus on the screen should be at eye level.
6. Failing to Seek Treatment Even if you're accustomed to it, constant neck pain isn't a natural experience. You deserve treatment to alleviate your pain - you just have to take the first step to seek it. Start by visiting a chiropractor who can adjust your neck, realigning it with your spine to reduce tension and pressure. You should also meet with a psychologist if stress and anxiety contribute to your neck pain, or with a medical doctor if your pain is sharp, severe, and ongoing. Looking to alleviate neck pain in Michigan? Progressive Chiropractic is here to help. Schedule your appointment and start the road to a pain-free life.