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A Pain in the Neck
You turn it to the side, and it hurts. You ignore it, thinking you just slept in a bad position, which was probably true. The next day your neck still hurts when you turn it, but you don't really bother. After all, you're not going to be turning your head around all day. And then, two weeks later, while
reversing your car, you throw your head to the back and, ouch! That hurt!
Suddenly you realize that you've been living with a pain in the neck for
a while now, and it hasn't subsided.
Causes and Prevention There are numerous causes for a stiff
neck. Read on to find out what causes a stiff neck, and what you can do
to prevent it.
Incorrect posture Do you slouch and walk? Do you have a hunch? Does your neck stick out while walking? Stand with your back against a wall, and straighten yourself so your shoulders and the back of your head are touching the wall. This should be your posture while you are walking. Is your neck jutting out at this
moment while reading this article? Push it at the back, so the back of
your head is aligned with your spine.
Pillow Sleep with a thin pillow or without
any pillow at all. High pillows almost always cause a stiff neck. If your
pillow is lumpy, discard it and invest in a new one. Down pillows cost
a packet but they are worth it. and they will help you save on expensive
physiotherapy treatments later in the day.
Bed Don't sleep on beds with are too
soft. They are very bad for the spine and for the neck. Sleep on a firm
mattress. The importance of a firm, comfortable bed cannot be stressed
enough.
Sleeping Do you let your kids sleep on the
same bed as you do, giving you little or no space to move around? This
is best avoided, as it is bad for the neck and the spinal cord. Similarly,
don't sleep on your stomach. This tends to twist your neck a little to
harshly to the side, and this sleeping position almost always leads to
a stiff neck.
Exercise Exercise your neck everyday. Stretch
it to the left and then to the right, slowly, as far as it can go. Then
rotate your head, ten times in each direction. Remember to always perform
neck exercises slowly and gently.
Curing a stiff neck This is easier said than done, and you would most probably have to opt for physiotherapy treatment. However, if the pain is not too bad, you could take the precautions listed above, just to make sure it doesn't get worse. If it does, visit your physiotherapist. You may have to undergo an x-ray to rule out cervical spondylosis. Moist heat is excellent for curing
a stiff neck, so if you have access to a gymnasium, make full use of the
steam and Jacuzzi facilities. When you're in the steam room, do some neck-stretching
exercises. Apply hot and cold fermentation to the area of stiffness. Swimming
is also excellent exercise for those with stiff necks. If you have access
to a pool, try and go for a swim thrice a week.
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You
wake up in the morning, and your neck feels a little stiff. You turn it
to the side, and it hurts. You ignore it, thinking you just slept in a
bad position, which was probably true.
