Your neck is tasked with supporting your head throughout the day, and when we twist, turn and manipulate it in a number of different ways when we’re moving or sitting, pain can develop for a myriad of reasons. In order to find the best fixes for a painful neck, we need to understand what’s causing discomfort under the surface. With that in mind, in today’s blog, we take a closer look at five common reasons why your neck may be aching, and some of the best ways to treat these pains.
Why Is My Neck Hurting?
Your neck could be hurting for a myriad of reasons, but below, we explore some of the more common causes of neck discomfort and some general treatment strategies. As always, if you are concerned about your neck pain or you are struggling to find relief, consider connecting with a spine specialist who can assess your issue in person. With that in mind, here are five reasons your neck may be hurting, and how to help treat discomfort.
- Poor Posture – Poor neck posture is one of the leading causes of neck aches, discomfort and pain. The average human head weighs 11 pounds, and if you’re hunched forward or slouched in a chair, you may be putting even more strain on the cervical portion of your spine. The good news is that although posture problems are one of the leading causes of neck pain, it also comes with a relatively simple fix – adjust your posture. Sitting up straight, limiting time spent seated and correcting your posture when you notice that your head isn’t directly above your shoulders can all help to correct neck pain caused by poor posture.
- Bad Sleeping Situation – We spend roughly one-third of our lives with our heads rested on a pillow, and if our spine is out of alignment when we’re sleeping, your neck can pay the price. If you can’t remember the last time you replaced your pillows or mattress, it may be time for an upgrade. A firm but supportive bed is best, as overly cushioned options can also push your head out of alignment.
- Whiplash – Whiplash occurs when our head is quickly thrust in one direction, like what you might experience during a rear-end car crash or a collision during sports. These types of injuries are difficult to prevent, but they do tend to respond well to active treatment, so don’t just lay in bed and hope your discomfort will eventually resolve. Whiplash tends to heal quicker with the help of controlled exercises, stretching techniques and physical therapy movements to carefully expand your comfortable range of motion.
- Device Overuse – While this topic could be grouped under the poor posture stage, based on recent trends, we thought it deserved its own category. Smartphones may make life a little easier, but if you’re constantly looking down at your phone, your neck is going to be dealing with an immense amount of strain on a regular basis. Over time, this serves to break down soft tissues and spinal discs in your neck. This phenomenon is known as teck or text neck, and spine specialists are seeing it more frequently at their practice. Strive to have your phone out in front of you instead of in your lap, and really work to curb your screen time.
- Nerve Compression – A final reason why you may be experiencing pain in your neck could be traced back to nerve compression. A number of nerves are housed in the cervical spine area or traverse through the neck enroute to their final destination. If you’re dealing with swelling or a shifted spinal disc, these nerves can become irritated or impinged, causing localized or radiating symptoms. Physical therapy exercises and posture improvements tend to help relieve this nerve pressure, but a spine specialist can also intervene if conservative techniques fail to provide relief.
For more information about why your neck hurts and what you can do about it, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at the Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
