How to avoid neck pain

Everyday movements and your posture can affect your neck. From how you carry yourself when walking to the way you sit, these seemingly small things can leave your neck feeling sore and stiff. 

Luckily, there is a lot you can do to reduce the chances of spraining your neck. Here are some simple steps to promote a healthy spine and avoid neck pain.

Improve your posture

Poor posture increases your chances of neck pain. Working at computers and spending a lot of time looking down at your smartphone can both negatively affect your posture, which can strain your neck. 

Adjusting your posture so you keep your head balanced above your spine whether you’re sitting or standing is key. Avoid leaning your head forward or to the side too much, especially for prolonged periods of time, as this can strain the muscles in your neck.

Set up your workspace properly

If you spend a lot of time working on a computer, make sure you adjust your chair and your desk to promote good posture and stop you from leaning forward. The top of your computer screen should be at eye level so you don’t need to bend your neck up or down to read your screen. 

Laptops should be placed on a stand to raise the screen or alternatively, you can connect a separate screen to your laptop. 

Raise your smartphone

If you spend a lot of time on your smartphone, you may often experience sore or tight muscles in your neck. This is because looking down often and for extended periods of time strains your neck muscles.

Try to remember to raise your smartphone up to eye level so you can avoid bending your neck down. The same goes for reading books — raise your book or e-reader to eye level.

Sleep on the right type of pillow

While it’s generally healthiest to sleep on your back to allow your entire spine to rest comfortably, not everyone finds this comfortable. This is why it’s important to use a pillow that suits your sleeping habits and supports your spine. Memory foam, latex and feather pillows are often the preferred choices for good neck support. 

Drink plenty of water

Water is important to your overall health but it can also help reduce neck pain. The discs that lie between the bones (vertebrae) in your neck are mostly made up of water. By drinking plenty of water, you can help keep these discs strong and pliable so you’re less likely to injure them. 

Stretch your neck

Just like other muscles in your body, stretching your neck muscles helps keep them flexible and less prone to injury. Poor posture can mean your neck muscles get tight and even shorten over time, which puts you at risk of neck pain. 

Simple stretching and flexibility exercises can help loosen your muscles and reduce the strain that causes neck pain.