Four Common Causes of Neck Pain

All of us experience occasional neck pain. Getting a crick in your neck after you’ve slept on it wrong is always a painful experience. If you’ve ever taken a long haul flight and tried to sleep in economy seats–you know how much we depend on good pillows and sleep posture each and every night!

If you find yourself suffering from neck pain that doesn’t go away, however, you may want to take a close look at the factors in your life that may be contributing to it. Below you’ll find four of the most common causes of neck pain, and how to avoid them.

Regardless of the cause of your pain, Dr. Cody Doyle of Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture has more than 20 years of experience treating acute and chronic neck pain, and can provide relief for your symptoms. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Doyle. For Roanoke neck pain, contact us online or call (817) 767-5430.

Your Pillow and Sleep Posture

The best sleep position for avoiding neck strain is on your back or on your side. If you have tried your best to stay off your stomach but still wake up face-down each morning, you may want to consider sleeping with no pillow, or using a water pillow.

Water pillows are an excellent option for neck posture because you can adjust the level of firmness to fit your needs. Avoid a hard or high pillow when sleeping in any position, as it can put your head at an angle that disrupts the natural position of the neck and spine. If you sleep on your back or side, a memory foam pillow can be an effective tool for supporting the neck and keeping the head in a natural position, If you sleep with your head elevated to reduce congestion in the night, consider getting a wedge and neck pillow to keep your spine and neck straight.

Dehydration

Sometimes it seems like everything can be blamed on dehydration, but there’s actually connection between hydration and the function of the neck. The discs in the neck can become less pliable and therefore less effective at cushioning the vertebrae when we are dehydrated. These spongy structures are mostly made up of water, so any level of dehydration can directly affect your neck. Next time your neck feels sore, chug a big glass of water to make sure your discs are well hydrated.

Poor Ergonomics

When we work, we tend to focus on outcomes and output, to the point that we often ignore the subtle signs from our body that its positioning may be off. Even something as simple as making sure your chair is adjusted to the right height can have a profound effect on neck pain. If your eye level is not at the right height, you may be craning your neck at an unnatural angle every moment you are looking at your computer screen. When sitting at a desk, try to keep your back straight and supported, and your feet on the floor. Adjust the height of your monitor if you find yourself angling your head up or down to see the screen.

Repetitive Neck Strain

If you routinely hold your phone against your shoulder when talking on the phone, you may be in for trouble. It may be the best way to sweep the floor, type on your computer, or clean the bathroom while chatting with friends—but your neck is not designed for this type of work. If you regularly multitask while talking on the phone, invest in a Bluetooth or hands-free device if you want to avoid strain. If you spend a lot of time texting on your phone, make sure you are not turning your head downward to do so.

When Neck Pain Doesn’t Go Away

If you have tried adjusting the way you care for your neck at home and at work, yet pain persists, call Dr. Cody Doyle. He will assess your symptoms and treat them with chiropractic, acupuncture, myofascial release, or other therapies. To reach our Roanoke, TX office, you can contact us online or call (817) 767-5430. For patients in La Grange, TX, you can contact us here or by calling (979) 968-6400.

Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture, Roanoke Neck Pain Treatment 

We serve patients from Trophy Club, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Argyle, Justin, NRH, and across the North Tarrant County area. Chiropractor Acupuncture 76262