subject: Use These Tips to Avoid Neck Strain [print this page] Use These Tips to Avoid Neck Strain Use These Tips to Avoid Neck Strain
Many people suffer from neck strain. It is caused due to various factors like accidents, occupational injury, and abnormal postures. When a person is involved in an accident where the head is flung forward or backward, rotated or compressed it can lead to strain in the neck. Most of the automobile accidents are responsible for causing these kinds of whiplash injuries due to hyperflexion or hyperextension.
Most often people whose occupations require them to hold their head in certain positions for a long period of time also experience strain in their neck. People like carpenters and construction workers are more prone to this type of injury because of the nature of their work. A person sitting in front of a computer for long periods, especially if the monitor height is not properly adjusted, can also suffer from neck strain. This is due to the improper positioning of the neck and head.
How do you know if you have a strained neck? The most important symptom is pain. If you feel pain immediately whenever you try to move your neck or are not able to perform your day-to-day functions properly then it means that you are suffering from a strain. You should also be careful of certain other symptoms like numbness, weakness, poor coordination, tingling and dizziness. You may also experience neck stiffness.
The neck stiffness can sometimes spread to your lower back if it becomes severe. Some people also experience difficulty in breathing, chewing and swallowing. If you are experiencing these symptoms you need to visit your doctor immediately. When the doctor makes an assessment of your condition he will plan for a specific treatment. Most often the strains heal themselves with appropriate self care and may not require any medication. But if the injury is serious you need to follow the doctor's treatment.
What kind of treatment is useful for neck strain? Bed rest is the best for any kind of moderate pain. You can also use a cervical collar. Position a small cushion or a pillow below the nape of your neck for proper support. You can also use some pain control medications to soothe the pain. If the pain continues for more than 2 weeks you need to consult your doctor immediately. Massaging is a great way of reducing the tension and increasing blood circulation in the neck.
The best way to deal with such occurrences is prevention. Take frequent breaks from your work to reduce the tension. This will help you to break away from a single position in which you are holding your head and shoulders. This is especially important for people like construction workers and carpenters. If you are working with a computer, adjust the height appropriately. Do not sleep on your stomach. Avoid tucking the phone between your ear and shoulder while talking, and if possible stretch frequently to relax your neck and shoulders. All these simple precautions will help you to prevent strain on your neck.
