Having a stiff or achy neck is a very common complaint, but it can make daily life very difficult indeed and it can be incredibly painful, especially if you make sharp or sudden movements that jar your body.
There are all sorts of different reasons why you might find that your neck is starting to cause you trouble, everything from sleeping in an awkward position (perhaps the most common reason of them all) to bad posture, a physical injury of some kind and even from holding your phone… a relatively new phenomenon known as tech neck.
If you think it’s your sleeping position that’s causing the issue, try to ensure that your head remains at the same height as the rest of your body. Using a feather pillow can also be of benefit, as this will mould itself to the shape of your body more effectively.
Generally, sleeping on your side and on your back are best to protect your neck, so if you sleep on your front you may benefit from a change in position.
If you think it’s your posture that’s leading to neck ache, start checking in with your body and how it’s positioned. Draw your shoulders gently down away from your ears, engage your core and hold your head so it’s in line with the centre of your body. Then lift the chest up to maintain a straight spine.
As for tech neck, try to reduce the amount of screentime you’re getting. If that’s not possible, aim to hold your phone or other device higher up so it’s more aligned with your eye line. There are also ergonomic devices you can invest in to promote better posture when sat at your desk.
For injuries, you may find it beneficial to get in touch with a physiotherapist who can help you manage your symptoms, improve your mobility and restore your full physical function. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with the Clear Physio team today to see how we can help.
