How much of your day is spent sitting at a desk, hunched over a computer? You’ve likely seen an article or two questioning whether the digital age is doing awful things for our health. Turns out, research says yes. Sitting too much has been linked with a number of issues ranging from high blood pressure and weight gain to increased neck and back issues. If the latter are concerns that plague you, there’s good news. There are a variety of ways to help you relieve your neck pain naturally. Before you start worrying about surgery or prescription meds, give these natural remedies a try. However! Be sure to listen to the signals your body gives and consult a medical professional for personalized pain relief assistance.

 

Start A Stretching Regimen

If you’re looking for pain relief methods you can do anywhere, start with stretching. Often, neck pain in particular is caused by tight or strained muscles. Neck stretches are a good way to relax those tight muscles and ease the pain. While you’re at it, don’t forget to stretch your shoulders, too, since those muscles are heavily connected to your neck muscles and can also play a role in pain relief.

 

Sleep Better

Do you frequently wake up with a twinge in your neck or stiffness that is hard to shake? Your mattress and pillow can also have a big impact on neck pain. We know you probably don’t want to replace your mattress, but at the very least, it may be time to upgrade your pillows. Find a pillow with the right firmness and stuffing quantity based on the position in which you generally sleep. The goal should be a pillow that contours to your head and provides enough support to let your spine lie straight. If you sleep on your back, you’ll want a less-dense pillow so you don’t spend the night with your neck tilted forward. Same for side-sleepers; find a pillow that keeps your head parallel to the bed, rather than tilted to one side.

 

Improve Your Ergonomics

If you talk on the phone frequently or for extended periods, tucking your phone between ear and shoulder isn’t doing you any favors. Even if you don’t do so frequently, this can compound existing neck issues. Invest in a hands-free headset so you can keep your head upright. If you can, think about investing in a stand up desk. Or, at the very least, make sure your desk is set up according to what’s ergonomically correct for your body.

 

Improve Muscle Strength

If you experience ongoing or recurring neck pain, give your muscles a bit of a boost. Stretching can help relieve tension and minimize pain, but strength-building exercises can help give your neck the support it needs. In addition to neck-specific strength-building exercises, workout options like yoga, swimming, and pilates are great low-impact ways to build strength.

 

Get Well-Adjusted

The reason you feel pain in your neck may not just be muscle-related. The skeletal structure underneath can also play a major role. If a joint is not in proper alignment, it strains the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that give you movement. Visit your local chiropractor for a consultation. A few chiropractic adjustments can work that joint back into alignment and help alleviate your pain in a more lasting way.

Here at Core Chiropractic + Wellness, we want to help you relieve your neck pain naturally. Come by our Bakersfield office for chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and physiotherapy to provide the pain relief and natural healing you need. Contact us today to get more information or to schedule your initial consultation!