This year, Spinal Health Week runs from 23rd–29th May and is shining a light on the importance of consulting your chiropractor when it comes to a sore neck and associated effects on your health.
Neck pain is a common complaint, affecting up to 50% of people at some point in their lives (1). As the leading cause of disability in adults, it can also be debilitating when left untreated. So, if you’ve been dealing with a sore neck, this week is the perfect opportunity to find out more about the causes, treatments and how your chiropractor can play a role in reducing your pain and improving your health.
What causes a sore neck
There are many reasons why you might wind up with a sore neck, from having slept wrong to more serious issues with your joints and alignment. A couple of the most common reasons these days are:
Tech neck
Australians spend an average of 5.5 hours on their phone each day (2), and even longer interacting with technology in general. What you might not realise is that all your texting, browsing and scrolling may have a major effect your neck and overall health. The term ‘tech neck’ has been coined to describe neck pain and postural problems caused by looking down at devices consistently and for extended periods of time. This position strains your neck and spine.
How to address tech neck
Making a few simple changes can help to relieve pain stemming from tech neck. For example, try to cut down on time spent on your phone, and when you are scrolling, hold your phone at eye level to avoid hunching.
Poor sleep posture
We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep, but have you put much thought into your sleep posture? A lumpy old mattress, a bad pillow or an incorrect sleeping position can wreak havoc on your spinal health and put unneeded strain on your neck, leaving you sore in the morning.
How to address poor sleep posture
When it comes to comfortable sleep that protects your spinal and neck health, your environment really matters. You might need to take steps toward better sleep such as investing in a new mattress and pillow that suit your needs.
Treating your sore neck
No matter the cause, if you’re dealing with a sore neck, a consultation with your chiropractor can help you get quick, effective relief. Your chiropractor can help in a few key ways, including:
Physical adjustments. Techniques such as spinal adjustments, manual therapy and low-force intervention can help to improve joint mobility and alignment, relieving your pain. A chiropractor is trained to assess what adjustments you need and then perform them. They can also help put in place a long-term treatment plan for return visits.
Lifestyle advice. As outlined above, making lifestyle changes can help to relieve strain on your neck and spine. But to do that, you have to know which changes will work for you. Your chiropractor can assess your physical symptoms and work with you to come up with a plan for your day-to-day life, which might include things like postural exercises or improving your understanding of ergonomics.
So, if you’re suffering from a sore neck, book in for an appointment this Spinal Health Week to see how our friendly team can help.
Sources
1 S Hogg-Johnson, G van der Velde, LJ Carroll, et al,. The Burden and Determinants of Neck Pain in the General Population: Results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders, Eur Spine J, 2008
2 N Vijiaratnam, DR Williams, KL Bertram, Neck pain: What if it is not musculoskeletal?, Australian Journal for General Practitioners, 2018
Spinal Health Week, Australian Chiropractors Association, 2022