Many people experience an episode of neck pain at least once in their lifetime. Check out this list of the most common causes of neck pain to determine if you are at risk:
• Degenerative changes can alter the biomechanics of the neck putting you more at risk for neck discomfort. Your risk increases dramatically if you have ever had an injury to the neck or participated in a contact sport.
• Improper posture allows the head to jut forward causing extra stress on the cervical spine. Over time the neck muscles become weak and more susceptible to injury. To practice better posture, image a string is pulling you straight up from the top of your head. This will relax your shoulders down and reduce the head from shifting forward.
• Poor sleeping positions, such as sleeping on your stomach with your head turned, will tighten the neck muscles. Sleeping on your back with a pillow that supports the natural curvature of the spine is the best position to avoid neck pain.
• Whiplash injuries cause structural damage to the soft tissue surrounding the spine. Even minor auto accidents or old injuries can cause severe pain years later. The best way to avoid future neck pain after an auto accident is to have a proper evaluation by a chiropractor.
