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Three reasons you have neck pain – and why ‘bad posture’ probably isn’t one of them

It’s often said there are “good and bad postures” and that specific postures can contribute to spinal pain but this belief is not supported by scientific evidence. Indeed, research shows that poor sleep, reduced physical activity and increased stress appear to be more important factors. So despite attempts by health professionals to correct your posture and the use of “ergonomic” chairs, desks, keyboards and other gadgets chances are so-called “lifestyle factors” – such as getting enough sleep, making sure you exercise and keeping stress to a minimum – seem to be more salient in relieving and preventing the pain in your neck

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 The 6 Best Neck Stretches to Loosen Up That Annoying Stiffness

We’ve all felt that annoying tightness or discomfort in our necks after a night of poor sleep or a day hunched over a screen. Neck stretches are the way to fix that...right? Not exactly. If you want a long-term solution to neck stiffness or discomfort and a preventive way to stop it from happening in the first place, you have to focus on more than just your neck,

Articles of Interest

Cervical Strain in the Workplace

Research has shown that individuals often complain about neck pain during and after work due to a variety of reasons. If you find that you're experiencing neck pain while you work in an office environment, you're not alone. The good news is that there are things that can be done to reduce the neck pain you're experiencing at work.

Ditch the chair and get active: five ways to avoid neck and back pain

“Taking some regular aerobic exercise is probably the best prevention [for back and neck pain],” said Michael Grevitt, a consultant spinal surgeon in Nottingham. That could include a variety of activities that get the heart pumping, such as walking, jogging, cycling and swimming.

Got neck and back pain? Break up your work day with these 5 exercises for relief

After staring at a computer screen for hours at a time, the body often gives us a clue that it is stressed: nagging neck and back pain. To fix the problem, you might have gotten advice to focus on posture or ergonomics, but exercise research points to another strategy as well – taking short spurts of movement throughout the day to release tension and stress in the body.

Grade I Cervical Sprain

The cervical sprain from whiplash is one of the injuries that occurs most frequently in minor or moderate traffic accidents. Where the cervical spine makes a sudden cervical hyperextension movement and then a cervical hyperflexion movement. This mechanism of injury causes stretching and compression of the muscles, ligaments, and sometimes also the bones and nerves of the cervical spine.

Is My Neck Pain Caused by a Simple Strain or Something Else?

We’ve all experienced a neck strain when muscles become overstretched and painful, such as from overuse, sitting with poor posture, or sleeping with your neck in an awkward position. While a simple strain can cause sharp pain and a stiff neck that limits activities, it usually feels better within a few days. But what if neck pain is the result of a more serious underlying condition that doesn’t heal on its own? Here are a few ways to tell the difference.

Let’s talk about tech neck

More and more, we’re hearing about pain and complications resulting from “tech neck.” Defined as an overuse syndrome precipitated by prolonged and repetitive cervical flexion (looking down), the condition is linked to our increased reliance on handheld devices.

Neck Sprains and Strains

Neck sprains or strains are caused by a variety of factors such as poor posture, lifting heavy objects, falling, worn joints, nerve compression, and injuries. The most common symptom of a neck sprain or strain is pain that worsens with movement.

Neck Sprains and Strains. What’s the Difference?

Neck strains and sprains are similar in as much as they can cause severe pain and be potentially disabling. They are different, however, in terms of the soft tissue they affect. A neck STRAIN is an injury to a tendon or muscle caused by overuse or trauma. A neck SPRAIN is an injury to a ligament caused by overuse or trauma.

The Best Exercises to Prevent Neck Pain

Neck pain is common, but working on your posture and strengthening your spine can help.

Resources

9 Best Neck Stretches That’ll Give You Sweet Relief

Feel better ASAP with these physical-therapist-recommended stretches.