When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I was going to do. After the devastation subsided, I decided to take a very standard, western approach to my healing. Although initial efforts were successful, my cancer recurred a few months later. I endured many additional months of treatment before I started focusing on myself. I decided it was time to incorporate complimentary alternative treatments into my healing regimen, including massage therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how much it changed my life. My healing became a process, instead of something I simply had to endure. I hope that the articles on my website can inspire you to stay open-minded about your own healthcare.
Neck pain can prevent you from living, working, and doing the normal daily activities you need to perform. If you have neck pain often, then here are 3 ways to reduce the pain or to avoid it altogether.
Avoid Bad Sitting Positions
First, you need to be more aware of how you position your head and neck if you work at a computer all day. Sitting at a desk is a great way to keep your neck and spine straight while you type, but if your chair is too low, then you may create tension in your neck because your shoulders will be raised up.
If you like to sit on your couch to work, this can be helpful because your shoulders will stay down. The downsides to sitting on your couch to work include not enough back support, your head will be turned downward to look at your computer, and the muscles in your neck will strain as they are pulled into a curved position.
If you must sit on your couch to work, then make sure that you have a laptop desk that sits on your lap; this will raise the computer up so that your head is looking straight forward instead of downward.
Apply Heat
As soon as you wake up in the morning, apply heat to your neck so that the muscles will relax. You can do this by showering in hot water, laying on a heating pad, or using warm massaging lotion that will stimulate blood flow and muscle relaxation.
This is especially helpful if you have a stiff neck after you sleep at night. By relaxing the neck muscles, you can also help your neck to avoid tension right at the beginning of the day, and this can reduce headaches as well as shoulder pain.
Sleep with Proper Support
Lastly, sleep with proper support when you sleep at night or take a nap. Your neck and spine should be completely straight when you sleep. If it is curved, then you can feel pain in different parts of the spine.
To sleep with proper support, use a contouring pillow that will form to your head and neck. This will allow your head to sink down into the pillow just enough so that your spine is even. Also, put a pillow under your knees if you sleep on your back or between your knees if you sleep on your side.
This will adjust your hips so that your lower spine is not curved up or down.
By doing these 3 things, you can reduce or avoid neck pain altogether so that you can function better on a daily basis. If your neck pain persists or becomes more severe, it may be best to contact medical professionals such as the Illinois Pain Institute.
Share13 January 2015
