How to Ease Neck Pain at Work
How to Ease Neck Pain at Work
Published: October 19, 2018
How to Ease Neck Pain at Work
Neck and shoulder pain is one of the most common health problems among adults. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) estimates that roughly “20-70% [of people] will experience neck pain that interferes with daily activities during their lifetimes.” There are multiple causes of neck and shoulder pain, including poor posture, repetitive motions, and aging. If you are experiencing neck pain, it is important to know how to ease neck pain at work in order to prevent neck pain from negatively impacting your daily life. Fortunately, anyone living in San Antonio can find relief with Texas pain specialist, Dr. Raul Martinez.
Causes and Symptoms of Neck Pain
Neck pain frequently originates in the cervical spine. This part of the spine consists of seven bones, all cushioned by discs and accompanied by numerous nerves. Neck pain arises when these nerves or surrounding soft tissues become compressed or sprained. Two common neck injuries include a stiff neck or a pinched nerve.
Stiff necks are one of the most common neck injuries. It is usually easy to diagnose a stiff neck due to immediate pain or tingling and limited mobility. Some causes of a stiff neck include:
- Prolonged poor posture
- Repetitive motions, such as rapidly turning the head side to side
- Sudden impacts, such as falling
Neck pain can range depending on the cause of the injury. Sometimes a stiff neck needs a day’s rest, but if symptoms continue for a week, then a doctor’s visit is necessary.
A pinched nerve in the neck occurs when there is pressure on a nerve. A pinched nerve can be a result of poor posture, repetitive motions, or a herniated disc. Pinched nerves can radiate pain to other places in the body, such as the lower back, or even to the feet. Symptoms of pinched nerves include:
- radiating pain
- numbness or tingling
- weakness in the affected area.
A pinched nerve in the neck may also contribute to other conditions, such as occipital neuralgia, which results in a headache with pain from behind the eyes.
Persistent poor posture, such as hunching over a computer, craning the neck while talking on the phone, or lifting with the back can all contribute to neck and shoulder pain. Poor posture is common in office settings, so it is important to know how to ease neck pain at work. If pain persists for a week or longer, you should seek treatment by verified pain specialists. In order to avoid neck pain, preventative measures should be taken. If, however, you are experiencing neck pain, there are steps to providing neck pain relief.
Learning How to Ease Neck Pain at Work
Luckily, there are ways to decrease and prevent neck pain and injury by combatting poor posture. Doing light neck pain exercises while at work will help ease the problem. The exercises include:
- Shoulder shrugs: sitting in an upright position, slowly lift your shoulders towards your ears. Hold. Slowly release.
- Neck rolls: Slowly roll your neck clockwise. After a few rotations, switch directions. Remember to move the neck slowly and deliberately.
- Neck bends: Sitting up straight with shoulders back, bring your right ear to your right shoulder. Hold for 10 seconds. Bring back to center. Bring left ear to left shoulder. Hold for 10 seconds. Bring back to center. Repeat this a couple of times.
Practicing these simple exercises will help increase neck mobility. If you know how to ease neck pain at work and practice proper posture, then neck pain will decrease. In addition, seeking out local medical help, like the Texas Pain Specialists in San Antonio, will provide proper resources for alleviating your pain.
When to See a Texas Pain Specialist
If pain persists for a week or longer, or mobility is severely affected, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a doctor. If you are located in the San Antonio area and are experiencing severe neck and shoulder pain, the specialists at Texas Pain Management will be able to help you.
Dr. Raul Martinez and the other specialists have numerous treatment plans available, including injections, non-surgical, and surgical procedures. There are plans specifically designed for pinched nerves in the neck to help remedy pain. Although neck and shoulder pain is common, it does not have to control your life. Contact Texas Pain Specialists to learn more about what we can do for you.