Common Causes of Neck Pain and How to Find Relief
Neck pain is a common health ailment affecting millions of people each year. Often characterized by muscle stiffness, reduced mobility, headaches, and other related symptoms, relief from neck pain is a priority for those living with the condition. The good news is there are plenty of ways to achieve neck pain relief with simple home treatment methods!
Today, we’re looking at common neck pain causes and how to find relief as quickly as possible. Read on, and get back to living a pain-free life.
Common Neck Pain Causes
If you’re experiencing neck pain, you’re not alone! Neck pain causes are so common, in fact, that studies have estimated that one in three people will experience this kind of pain at least once a year. Neck pain may last between two and six weeks, with most occurrences being mild enough for home neck pain relief methods. It’s important to speak to a medical professional before beginning any home treatment methods for neck pain relief to determine if it’s safe to do so.
Some of the most common neck pain causes include:
- Muscle strain
- Osteoarthritis or other age-related diseases
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated disc
- Pinched nerve
- Elevated stress levels
Poor posture is also one of the most common neck pain causes. Whether you’re sitting at the office for work, in a home office setup, or simply sitting incorrectly while you unwind, poor posture can have a drastic effect on your overall health. For example, poor posture while working at a desk may have you subconsciously leaning forward and tilting your head down towards your computer screen. This positioning can lead to neck pain or even potential long-term damage if left unchecked.
How to Find Neck Pain Relief
In most cases, neck pain causes can be treated at home without major medical intervention. Before beginning any home remedies for neck pain relief, however, speak with your doctor for a full assessment and treatment recommendation. Oftentimes, people are able to get relief from neck pain by:
- Doing gentle stretches and exercises
- Using a zero gravity chair
- Applying heat or ice packs
- Stopping strenuous activity temporarily
Gentle Stretches and Exercises for Neck Pain
One of the most popular methods for relief from neck pain is doing gentle stretches and exercises. While you don’t want to overdo it and accidentally make things worse, simple stretches can help your muscles stay loose and heal more quickly. A few easy stretches and exercises for neck pain relief include:
- Neck Extension
- Neck Rotation
- Lateral Extension
- Shoulder Shrugs
Be mindful of your limits when doing these stretches. Adding them to your daily recovery routine will have you back to being neck pain free in no time!
Using a Zero Gravity Chair for Neck Pain Relief
While there are loads of potential neck pain causes from poor posture to muscle strain from playing sports, zero gravity chairs offer potential healing methods to help with them all. The potential health benefits of zero gravity chairs for neck pain relief stem from proper support to improve posture and the zero gravity reclining position. In the zero gravity position, the legs are elevated above the heart level and weight is distributed evenly along the body. This reduces excess pressure on the neck, shoulders, and spine while increasing blood flow for faster healing.
Bonus features of zero gravity luxury recliners may also facilitate neck pain relief. The benefits of zero gravity chairs with heat therapy and massage features enhance how the body heals itself, while smart wake up programs keep you from accidentally oversleeping during a nap (which could leave you with neck pain and stiffness).
Using a zero gravity chair may also help with relief from neck pain by alleviating mental and physical stress. Stress causes our bodies to tense up, often leading to excess neck muscle constriction and pain. Incorporating zero gravity relaxation with how to meditate at home (and other stress relief activities) may be immensely beneficial.
Apply Heat or Ice Packs to Neck Pain
As with many injuries, heat and ice application may be beneficial for neck pain relief. The general recommendation is to use ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury. This can help reduce swelling and start the healing process.
After a period of applying ice packs, heat therapy can make a huge difference for relief from neck pain. Heat allows the muscles to loosen up and alleviate stiffness. Heated zero gravity chairs make excellent options for combining these two methods for neck pain relief even faster.
Stopping Strenuous Activity Temporarily
While it goes without saying that you should stop strenuous activities when experiencing neck pain, too often people try to “work through the pain” and end up making it worse. The fact is your body needs the opportunity to heal from neck pain causes. Taking it easy for a little bit while applying other neck pain relief methods like stretching or using a zero gravity chair can get you back to being pain-free once more.
There are many common neck pain causes, but the good news is there are plenty of methods for finding relief from neck pain, as well! From heating pads and ice packs to zero gravity chairs and exercises, caring for your body should be your priority as soon as you start experiencing neck pain. With immediate treatment, you may be able to reduce the amount of necessary recovery time and get back to living your life to the fullest. If you’re experiencing neck pain, consult your doctor and then see which of these methods may work best for you once you’re given the green light!
Curious to learn more about the benefits of zero gravity chairs for neck pain relief? Take a look at the Svago Lite Zero Gravity Recliner and see how you can kick back and relax your way into being pain-free.
