The most common causes of neck pain are the result of bad habits or poor ergonomics. Here are just a few of the most common reasons. Take a look at them and make an effort to correct them. Your neck will thank you!
Center your monitor. People who sit at a computer with the monitor even slightly off to the side are ultimately doomed. This results in the head turned to one side. If this is a temporary position
of the neck, it is not a big problem. However, if you sit at a desk for eight hours or more a day, neck pain is inevitable. This is very easy to correct so simply center your monitor over your keyboard.
Check your lighting. If your desk lighting is insufficient, your head will have the tendency to crane forward to read off the computer screen. A forward position of the head places undue stress on the upper vertebrae of the neck and the sub-occipital muscles at the base of the head resulting in headaches.
Get your eyes checked. Uncorrected near or far-sightedness can also cause craning of the head similar to that mentioned with poor lighting. Occasionally, people turn their head slightly to the side in order to see directly ahead. These people have learned to rely more on their peripheral vision to focus on objects due to a condition known as strabismus.
Do not sleep on your stomach. The only way to breathe effectively in this position is to turn your head to one side. Hopefully it is becoming clear to you that sustained neck rotation is a bad thing.
Do not read or watch television lying down. This bad habit is particularly devastating to necks. It usually results in both a forward and a rotated position of the neck, a double whammy. Some peoples’ neck symptoms will go away entirely simply by correcting this bad habit.
If your neck pain radiates down your arm, see your doctor. This is more serious than simple neck pain and may involve irritation of the nerves as they exit the spine. Regardless of the extent of injury to your neck, It is still a good idea to correct your bad habits and check your ergonomics.
