Neck and back pain are common problems. Sitting at a desks and staring down at phones and tablets at every lull in the day can take a toll on our backs and necks. Many people simply accept their chronic back pain as being a normal part of life. They view it as something that lots of people have to deal with, and they just put up with the pain. You don’t have to just live with back and neck pain, however. Here are four things that you can do about back pain and neck pain.
Pay attention to posture
Your posture and movements throughout the day have a direct effect on your neck and back health. How many times have you caught yourself hunched over your keyboard, or rubbing your neck after reading an especially interesting – and lengthy – article on your phone?
Whether you’re in the driver’s seat, behind the work desk, or hanging out around at the house, sit upright with your shoulders back and your weight evenly distributed, and avoid craning your neck too far up or down for extended periods of time.
Here are a few more tips for maintaining good posture.
How are you sleeping?
People with chronic back pain or chronic neck pain may find it difficult to sleep well each night. Pay attention to your sleep position if you notice that you have trouble sleeping.
Poor sleep environments can also make it difficult to get good rest, and can promote back pain or neck pain. Make sure that you have a good mattress that provides support for your back and pillow that provides support for your neck.
Consider speaking to a sleep medicine physician if you have difficulty sleeping.
Keep moving
A sedentary lifestyle is bad for your health in a number of ways, and is a big contributing factor in back and neck pain.
Staying physically active – stretching, range of motion exercises, yoga, walking, and strengthening exercises – can help relieve and prevent pain in your neck or back.
Do little stretches and movements at your desk or while driving long distances, and make stretches a part of your daily routine.
Here are a few exercises to prevent back pain.
See a chiropractic doctor
While there are certainly things you can do to manage back pain or neck pain on your own, trusting your health to medical professionals greatly improves your results. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to treat issues with back or neck pain. Studies have shown that chiropractic care can provide better short-term relief for chronic back pain than medication.
Looking for a chiropractor in Northwest Arkansas? Contact Millennium Chiropractic Sports Medicine and Rehab in Fayetteville, Arkansas. No referrals required.