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