Pain in the neck is an increasingly common problem. In the digital age, people often sit in an unnatural or unfavourable position for the neck. This causes annoying neck complaints such as pain and stiffness. These complaints can have a very significant impact on the quality of your life. In fact, neck pain often causes headaches. You can also experience sore and stiff muscles in the neck and in your arms. Not only does it create a hindrance during your daily activities, but it is also more difficult to relax. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to get rid of these symptoms. Read on quickly below.
What is pain in the neck?
Pain in the neck is common. You may experience mild pain and some discomfort, but in some cases, you may have a sharp, spreading pain that can affect your nerves, muscles and vertebrae. Besides pain in the neck, you may also experience headaches and stiffness. Neck pain can have a major impact on your daily functioning.
How does it occur?
There are several things that can cause pain in the neck. We list them for you below:
- Acute injury to the joints or muscles in your neck. This can be caused by a fall or sudden movement of the head, for example.
- Overuse. If you suddenly strain the neck much more than you normally do, then neck pain can result.
- Not enough variety in posture. When you sit or stand in the same position for long periods of time, then this can cause neck pain.
- Wear and tear of the cervical vertebrae. When you get older, wear and tear can develop on the cervical vertebrae. In some cases, this leads to neck pain and stiffness.
- Stress or excessive workload. When you experience a lot of stress over a long period of time, you often (unconsciously) tighten your neck muscles. This causes symptoms such as pain in the neck.
- Neck hernia: a neck hernia not only leads to pain in the neck, but also numbness and tingling in the arms and hands.
- Sleeping habits: sleeping in an uncomfortable position or on a pillow that does not provide enough support can cause neck pain.
What can you do to cure neck pain?
Neck pain often goes away on its own within six weeks. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce the symptoms. We list them for you below:
- Variation in posture. There are no good or bad postures, as long as you provide enough variety you are sure to minimise neck pain.
- Take regular breaks and make sure you get enough exercise during these breaks. If you sit in the same position for a long time, it is advisable to take regular breaks and move your neck for a while. For example, turn your neck in circles very slowly or give yourself a good stretch.
- Stress management. Stress has a major impact on neck pain. When you experience a lot of stress, you imperceptibly pull your shoulders up a bit more or tension develops in the neck and shoulders. Try to relax as much as possible with, for example, meditation or breathing exercises.
- Massage. Massage the neck regularly. This improves circulation and provides a lot of relaxation.
- Medical taping can also be used for neck pain. Kinesiology tape relieves the neck muscles and improves circulation.
Need more information?
After reading this article, are there still some questions or uncertainties? If so, do not hesitate to contact us. Our customer service team is ready to answer all your questions and help you along the way. Our customer service team can be reached via phone, email and live chat.
