What a Pain In the Neck! As Seen in the current "Your Health Magazine"

Pain resulting from poor posture is becoming more prevalent. With people spending increased amounts of time in front of computer screens, on laptops, and on the phone, more people are dealing with neck pain on a regular basis. Your mom was right when she continually told you to sit up straight and to not slouch. She was looking out for your neck and back health the entire time.

What Gives us Bad Posture?
• The spaces in which we work are set up in a way that feeds into back, head, neck and trunk alignment. Forcing yourself to sit with your head protruding forward and your shoulders rounded only makes that portion of your posture worse.
• Weak neck, back and core muscles are often a big problem. These muscles come specially equipped to hold you upright. Most of us train our “six pack” muscles (rectus abdominus) very hard but forget about some of our strongest core stabilizers, the transverse abdominus. If your core and back muscles are strong, you are winning a very important battle against neck pain.

How is This Related to my Pain?
• When the above is going on, the muscles that support your head and neck work extra hard to keep things in line. The problem is that these muscles fatigue quickly and cause pain that can radiate from the top of your head, all the way down to your shoulders and further still toward your mid-back.

How Can You Fix This Yourself?
• First things first: take a look at your workspace. The computer screen should be at or just slightly below eye level. Your keyboard should be in a position that allows your elbows and wrists to be supported and relaxed. Your chair should be at a height that allows your feet to be firmly on the floor and knees at ninety-degree angles.
• Improve your core and back strength. Row, row, row your back. There is a lot of variety at most fitness centers, but ask questions if you are not sure of what to do. Using these machines will ensure that you are strengthening your back and neck-supporting muscles in a way that will most benefit you. For core strength, try to integrate planks and pelvic tilting exercises to get those deep muscles to work hard for you.

FREE Injury Prevention and Pain Screenings

October is National Physical Therapy Month. To raise awareness about how physical therapists can be used as a resource to prevent pain and improve performance, we are offering FREE Physical Therapy Evaluations.

We will be performing evaluations and physical exams to uncover the reasons behind current and past pain issues that may have prevented you from reaching your true potential.

Contact us at your convenience to set up an appointment.

Happy National Physical Therapy Month.