NECK PAIN ;MYTHS & FACTS
Given
our modern lifestyle, neck pain has become a more common complaint among people
of all ages. It’s almost inevitable for anyone to experience a crick in the
neck or some neck discomfort or pain at one time or another.
Neck pain can be challenging to cope with. It can range from a dull ache to sharp, radiating pain through the shoulders and arms. Some people may even experience weakness or numbness, prompting a visit to Ortho or neuro doctor.
Misinformation is abundant and floating
around out there about neck pain. Most of these myths are as stubborn as neck
pain itself. here, we’ll set the records straight on the top misconceptions
about neck pain. We’ll follow up with some facts to clear your mind of any
mistaken beliefs you’ve adopted.
NECK PAIN MYTHS
My
Job Isn’t Physically Demanding; It Didn’t Bring My Neck Pain
While it is true that physically demanding jobs that involve heavy lifting are a common source of neck pain, office jobs that require extended hours of sitting can be equally blamed for neck pain. If your workstation is set up improperly, it can force you to slouch and twist, causing neck pain and discomfort as your neck is bent forward for most of the day.
Desk jobs/ Mobile use don’t cause neck
pain
Long
hours spent in front of a computer, frequent use of a cell phone, and other
screen activities associated with work and social life are a primary cause of
chronic neck pain due to poor posture
Excessive
use of mobile devices such as cellphones and tablets also add to the problem.
Did you know that the average weight of an adult’s head is 10-12 pounds? When
you tilt your head down at a 45-degree angle to look at your phone, it makes the
weight of the head feel like 49 pounds. Hunching over your gadgets for long
hours each day places massive stress on the spine and neck’s muscles and
ligaments.
My neck pain is due to something being ‘out of place’
There is no evidence that
neck pain is caused by a bone or joint in your neck being out of place, or your
pelvis being out of alignment. For most people with neck pain, X-rays and scans
do not show any evidence of bones or joints being ‘out of place’. In the small
number of people with some change in their spinal alignment, this does not
increase the risk of neck pain. Even if you feel a little better in the
short-term after having your neck manipulated, nothing has been put back in
place – there was never anything ‘out of place’!
I need a scan or X-ray for my neck pain In most cases of neck pain.
X-rays and scans are not
needed. Every year very large sums of money are spent on unnecessary X-rays and
scans for neck pain. In addition, many of these scans involve exposure to
radiation. Only a small number of these tests actually contribute to better
management of the problem. In fact, even adults with no neck pain will have
evidence of normal ‘wear and tear’ on these scans. A simple clinical
examination is usually enough to identify the minority of people for who scans
are required.
Whiplash only happens during car accidents
Whiplash
is caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of your neck that’s often a
consequence of rear-end collisions.
This
forceful and unexpected movement, which can damage bones, strain ligaments and
muscles, and inflame nerves in the neck, also occurs during accidental
falls, sports injury and other traumatic events.
Even a
seemingly minor injury can lead to neck discomfort associated with whiplash.
Neck Pain is Expected as You Get Older
This
is probably one of the biggest and oldest misconceptions surrounding neck pain.
Most people seem to consider their daily aches and pains a normal course of
life that comes with aging. However, not all of us experience neck pain.
Accepting your neck pain as a normal part of growing older can obstruct your
way to getting the proper care that you might need. Just as it is with
any other health condition, postponing care, and avoiding the problem can only
worsen your neck pain. Most of the causes of neck pain can be dealt with
naturally.
When
people experience neck pain, the initial thing they do is take an
over-the-counter painkiller, rest in bed, and wait for the pain to go away.
Resting for a short time is appropriate for specific neck problems, but for
recurring and chronic neck pain, long periods of rest can just contribute to
your condition. Avoiding activity and exercise will eventually lead to
stiffness, muscle atrophy, and pain. This can only result in a disappointing
cycle of pain preventing activity, but inactivity causing more pain. Do
not skip exercises such as walking, yoga, and swimming.
Neck Pain Facts
Even
Minor Accidents or Injuries Can Cause Neck Pain
We
often overlook minor accidents or injuries that we experience. The truth is, it
doesn’t take a major accident to hurt the many structures of the neck. Your
upper cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae and is supported by many soft
tissues. When an accident happens, vertebrae can easily shift out of alignment,
muscles can be strained, and ligaments can be sprained. Getting the proper care
following even what seems like a minor injury can help you to prevent bigger
problems from happening later in life.
You Don’t Have to Resign Yourself to Living with Neck Pain
When
you experience neck pain every day, it can be easy to lose hope. Making
the problem worse and unresolved is that most people living with chronic neck
pain and discomfort feel as if they have no other options and are stuck with
medication use and its unpleasant side-effects. However, there are natural care
alternatives available such like Physiotherapy.
Good
Posture and a Strong Neck Are the only Keys
If
you have developed poor posture, no worries as you are not doomed to be stuck
that way forever. Many people complain of discomfort and pain as they try to
maintain good posture again after months or years of poor posture.
The
pain is a sign of changes that have occurred in your spinal alignment and your
muscle balance. Doing exercises to strengthen your key muscle groups and
stretch the tight ones is the first step to good posture. Posture plays a
crucial role in our overall health since the vertebrae of the spine are
responsible for protecting our body’s central nervous system.
Strengthening
Your Neck and Correcting Your Posture Is Your Choice
It is a real
challenge to correct old habits. The practice of using poor posture can be hard
to fix; it may even seem impossible in the beginning. The reason is that it can
be very unnatural to start sitting up properly after getting used to slouching
for many months, or even years.
Correct posture
is essential to keeping your spine healthy and strong. A healthy central
nervous system (CNS), composed of the spine, the brain, and the brainstem, is
crucial in keeping you in tip-top shape.
Slouching and doing awkward positions with your neck for prolonged periods due to work can affect your spinal alignment and muscle balance. Stretching exercises for your neck and other muscle groups can help stimulate proper blood flow and keep your heart pumping strong. In short, keeping the spine healthy also helps keep the CNS healthy.
You Can Do Something About Your Neck Pain
However, various neck pain care options do not work for
everybody all the time. Medications, for example, only give symptomatic relief.
The pain relief is also temporary, and even there are risks of severe side
effects. What else can you do?
There are a few doctor-approved mild kinds of exercises that are
good for relieving neck pain. These include yoga, walking, and swimming. These
are excellent options when you decide to have new healthy activities into your
daily routines.
SIMPLE EXERCISES FOR IMPROVE NECK
STRENGTH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgaheAUDAlQ&t=10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adcxXWKv5Wg&t=19s
References:
https://www.spine-health.com/blog/myths-about-back-and-neck-pain
Dr SUDHIR BHARDWAJ (PT)
+91-9650383603
CHIRANJIV PHYSIO &
WELLNESS CLINIC
C-1/190, Palam Vihar,
Gurugram (HR)
We exercise a very
focused, detailed, and systematic approach to identify the root cause of our patients’ pains. Our goal is not to deal with the
symptoms but to accomplish long-lasting relief by correcting the root cause.
Whether you are a new patient or a returning one, our clinic is always welcome
to help.
Find us
on google
https://g.page/chiranjiv-
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