Tag Archive for: back pain relief

woman clutching neck in pain whilst sitting at a desk

Say Goodbye to Neck Pain! 5 Tips for Improving Neck Health

Neck pain is a common problem that affects millions of people around the world. Whether it’s caused by poor posture, stress, or injury, neck pain can be debilitating and affect your quality of life. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to keep neck pain at bay and improve your overall neck health.

 

1. Improve Your Posture

One of the main causes of neck pain is poor posture. When we spend long periods of time sitting or standing in a hunched position, it can put extra stress on our neck muscles and cause pain and discomfort. To keep neck pain at bay, it’s important to work on improving your posture.

When sitting, make sure your back is straight, your feet are flat on the ground, and your shoulders are relaxed. If you’re using a computer, position the screen so that it’s at eye level to avoid straining your neck. When standing, keep your shoulders back and down and try to distribute your weight evenly across both feet. Check out our blog post on setting up an ergonomic work station.

 

2. Stretch Regularly

Stretching is a great way to relieve tension in your neck muscles and keep them flexible. Try to stretch your neck regularly throughout the day, especially if you spend long periods of time sitting or standing in the same position.

Some simple neck stretches you can try include:

  • Tilt your head to the left, bringing your left ear towards your left shoulder. Hold for 15-30 seconds and then repeat on the right side.
  • Slowly turn your head to the left, looking over your left shoulder. Hold for 15-30 seconds and then repeat on the right side.
  • Tuck your chin towards your chest and hold for 15-30 seconds.
  • Gently roll your head in a circular motion, first clockwise and then counterclockwise.

 

3. Use Good Ergonomics

Whether you’re working at a desk, using a computer, or driving a car, it’s important to use good ergonomics to avoid neck pain. This means making sure that your work environment is set up in a way that supports good posture and reduces the risk of strain and injury.

Some tips for good ergonomics include:

  • Use a chair with good lumbar support to avoid slouching.
  • Make sure your computer screen is at eye level and that you’re sitting at the correct distance from it.
  • Use a hands-free device when talking on the phone to avoid cradling it between your ear and shoulder.
  • Adjust your car seat so that you’re sitting in a comfortable and supportive position.

 

4. Stay Active

Regular exercise is a great way to keep your neck muscles strong and flexible. Try to incorporate some form of exercise into your daily routine, such as yoga, swimming, or walking.

Exercise can also help to reduce stress, which is a common cause of neck pain. When we’re stressed, we tend to hold tension in our neck and shoulders, which can lead to pain and discomfort. By staying active and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing, you can help to keep stress at bay and prevent neck pain. Check out our blog post on ways to sneak more fitness into your day.

 

5. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, including neck health. When we don’t get enough sleep, our muscles can become stiff and sore, which can lead to neck pain.

To keep your neck healthy, try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Make sure your sleeping environment is comfortable and supportive, and avoid using electronic devices before bed to promote better sleep hygiene.

Check out our blog post on 5 ways to sleep better when you’re in pain.

 

In addition to these tips, the StretchSPOT team can also help with keeping a stiff neck at bay. Our stretching professionals can provide personalized stretching sessions that help keep you limber and mobile so you can move through life like a fish through water!

5 Surprising Ways Poor Posture Impacts Your Health

Our society has a chronic problem with posture. Many of us spend our days hunched over a keyboard, putting strain on our necks and causing tension in our shoulders and upper back. We relax at night by sitting in a reclined position on the couch, phone in hand.

Even those of us who are more active throughout the day can fall into a routine of standing with rounded shoulders instead of standing up straight like we know we should. Being slouched is often more comfortable because it requires fewer muscles. Unfortunately, poor posture can make you look unconfident. It can also cause health problems that impact other aspects of your life.
Health Effects of Bad Posture
Here are five surprising ways that poor posture can negatively affect your health.

1. Digestive Troubles

Slouching adds pressure to the abdomen, which can trigger acid reflux after you eat. This results in uncomfortable heartburn and can even impact the intestines, causing constipation and a loss of appetite. Make a point to stand or sit up straight after meals to aid digestion. Going for a walk after eating can also help.

2. Headaches

Slouching adds pressure on to your neck, which can lead to tension headaches. If you frequently find yourself with a headache, it could be due to poor posture when you are sitting at your desk.

3. Breathing efficacy

Slouching puts extra pressure on your lungs, which can negatively affect how much oxygen you are able to take in with every breath. Over time, this can cause problems throughout your body because every cell in your body requires oxygen to do its job.

4. Incontinence

Many women suffer from incontinence after pregnancy or reproductive surgery. Adding poor posture can make it even worse. The extra pressure placed on your abdomen when you slouch also adds pressure to your bladder. This can decrease the strength of your pelvic floor muscles and make it more likely that you leak a little urine when you sneeze or laugh.

5. Back pain

Bad posture can weaken the muscles in your back, causing pain in your upper and lower back as well as your shoulders. Unfortunately, when we feel pain in our backs, we usually respond by sitting, slouching, or lying down, which only exacerbates the problem. Even though standing up straight doesn’t sound appealing when your back hurts, it’s essential if you want to ease your back pain.
Improve Your Posture Through Stretching
You can’t fix bad posture overnight. Correcting chronic poor posture takes time and a focused effort on strengthening the muscles in your body. Your core, shoulders, and back muscles can all be strengthened so that they can effectively support your body.

Frequent stretching can help you improve your posture so you can move more efficiently and feel better. It can also ease muscle soreness and tension in your lower back, which can help you sit and stand tall once again.

If you have been dealing with any of the above effects of bad posture, we can help! Schedule an appointment with the StretchSPOT to get started!

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