Tips for avoiding neck pain in Hastings, MI

A sore and stiff neck feels uncomfortable and makes it difficult for you to move your head. This makes many daily tasks more challenging, such as getting dressed or driving. Fortunately, there are treatments available for many conditions that cause neck pain.

If you have neck pain, you may want to visit a physical therapist for treatment. Physical therapists use techniques that can improve the strength and flexibility of your neck muscles, which reduces pressure off the spine. These methods treat a variety of conditions that cause neck pain.

However, at Advent Physical Therapy in Hastings, Michigan, we understand that it’s just as important to prevent neck pain as it is to treat it. Many of our treatments include methods for prevention, but there are also a few steps you can take on your own.

Tips for preventing neck pain

• Improve your posture — Standing or sitting with your head hunched puts increased pressure on your neck muscles by 10 pounds per inch your head is hunched forward. This strains the muscles and puts additional pressure on the spine, which can inflame the nerves and cause neck pain. Sit and stand with your back straight and your ears parallel with your shoulders. Your head should be resting directly over your shoulders rather than several inches forward.
• Keep screens at eye level — One reason many of us sit hunched over is that we keep our laptop or cell phone screens too low. Bring your screens up to eye level so you can easily focus on the screen while maintaining good posture.
• Use a better pillow — Pillows that are too thick or too thin can cause you to sleep with your spine in an unsupported angle. It can take a little time to find a pillow that perfectly supports your alignment, but it’s worth it for helping to prevent neck pain.
• Stretch and exercise — Stretches and exercises improve the strength and flexibility of your neck muscles. This improves support for your head and reduces pressure off the nerves in your spine.

Visit Advent Physical Therapy in Hastings for neck pain treatment

If you have tried prevention methods like these and still have neck pain, it may be time to visit a professional for treatment. Our team at Advent Physical Therapy in Hastings has years of experience in treating a variety of conditions that cause neck pain. Contact our team today for more information about neck pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.