| The single most common reason for neck pain is | | | | are caused by poor posture. Basically, a pinched |
| poor posture, plain and simple. Sitting for prolonged | | | | nerve means that a disc that sits between two |
| periods hunched over a computer, for example, can | | | | nerves in the neck has probably been bumped out of |
| do it, as can poor sleeping posture. Many people | | | | place. In addition to the pain that you feel in your |
| respond to stress by tensing up their neck muscles, | | | | neck, you may also experience some numbness and |
| which over time, can lead to neck pain as well as | | | | or a tingling sensation in your arms and hands. You'll |
| headaches. All of the above can cause painful | | | | need to seek medical attention for this one. |
| conditions such as neck strain or even pinched | | | | Your care giver will likely prescribe neck-stretching |
| nerves. | | | | exercises to alleviate pain and improve your neck's |
| Neck strain is most often the result of sleeping in an | | | | muscles to keep the disc in place. Something you can |
| awkward position. This puts tension on the muscles | | | | do at home? Improve your posture. Be sure that |
| that run along the back of your neck. If you | | | | your head doesn't bend forward too much. When |
| experience neck stiffness upon waking in the | | | | you are seated in proper posture, you should be able |
| morning, this is most likely what has happened. | | | | to draw a straight line from your ears to your |
| A good way to relieve the pain and loosen muscles is | | | | shoulders on down to the hips. |
| to stand under a hot shower and lit the water run on | | | | Below are some additional ideas that you can do at |
| the nape of your neck. Press your chin to your chest | | | | home to help cut down on neck pain: |
| to stretch out those neck muscles for about 30 | | | | - Take a bath towel and fold it lengthwise. Wrap it |
| seconds. Then hold your head back, pause, and flex | | | | around your neck before bedtime. |
| forward again. Now roll your neck from side to side a | | | | - Try aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen to relieve pain |
| few times. This should help to ease the stiffness and | | | | and inflammation - use as directed. |
| pain. | | | | - Massage your neck muscles. |
| It has been estimated that 70% of all pinched nerves | | | | - Relax. |