Five Ways You Can Support Your Neck Health
Are you experiencing neck or back pain and are looking for a way to rejuvenate your neck? Many people are told that pain medication or surgery is the only option. Neck pain comes in various forms and from a wide range of conditions. Anything from misalignment to the cervical spine (located in the neck) to a slipped disc can cause severe, or at the very least, inconveniencing neck pain. If you’re looking for a way to boost your neck health on your own, read on: here are five ways that you can support your neck health.
Build strength in the muscles of your neck.
One of the most effective ways to decrease pain in the neck muscles is to build strength in the neck, shoulders, and upper back areas. These muscles work together to hold your head above your neck. Did you know that your head weighs about 11 pounds? All of that weight is typically balanced very precisely on your cervical spine, which is the portion of your spine that holds up your neck. In addition to your spine, your neck muscles also help to stabilize and hold your head in place.
Consult with a professional and determine what exercises would be valuable for you to build muscles in your neck, shoulders, and upper back that will help to support your head. This is invaluable in helping to strengthen and support a healthy upright posture.
Check your sleep position to protect your neck.
Most people sleep between 6 and 9 hours a night. This adds up to an enormous chunk of our lives over time and significantly impacts our posture and our neck health. Many people don’t realize it, but our sleeping posture is often challenging for our necks. Most people adjust to the sleeping pose they learned in childhood, which is rarely ideal for spinal alignment.
Take inventory of your posture and the tools you sleep with. Most people sleep with a pillow—is your pillow the right height for your head and neck? Your pillow should keep your head aligned with the center of your shoulders. If you’re a side sleeper, ensure that your head is placed directly over your shoulders, not thrust forward. If you’re a back sleeper, ensure that your pillow isn’t too tall and puts your head above your chest or significantly above your back.
If you are having any difficulties with your sleep position, consider buying props that will help to improve your posture while you sleep. Some side sleepers will benefit from a square-shaped pillow or a body pillow to hold, and some back sleepers will benefit from a firm buckwheat pillow or something thinner than they currently have.
Keep your posture properly aligned.
When you’re not sleeping, you’re awake! When you’re awake, you need to practice your ideal posture when possible. This means whether you’re sitting, standing, or walking, you keep your head in line with your shoulders, your chest about your hips, and your hips above your knees. This allows your spine to remain as straight as possible, supporting your muscles and nerves.
When the spine is aligned correctly, the muscles don’t have to support any weight—they provide stabilization. When posture diminishes, this can place strain on the nerves and muscles. It can also force nearby muscles to overcompensate for improper alignment. Misalignment in the spine can lead to nerve inflammation (sciatica).
Ask your chiropractor for a Denneroll device.
Your expert chiropractor may be able to provide you with an orthopedic Denneroll device. A Denneroll device is a tool customized to an area of the spine. When used correctly and regularly, it can help to reform the shape of the spine completely. Denneroll devices are often used in conjunction with regular chiropractic care and function as a supplement to help boost the result you see from your regular treatment.
Stay consistent with your chiropractic appointments.
One of the best things you can do to help rejuvenate your cervical spine, which is located in your neck, is regularly visit a chiropractor. Your expert chiropractor is devoted to discovering exactly where in your spine there may be an imbalance and using a series of advanced tools and treatments to improve your body and spine’s overall health. If you’re prepared to experience the rejuvenating effects of chiropractic care for your neck, Dr. Luc Archambault is certified in Chiropractic BioPhysics®, a branch of chiropractic that helps to move bones and joints long-term. Dr. Archambault will provide a detailed assessment to determine how you can best be aided by chiropractic care and then design an individualized treatment plan just for you. Ready to get started? Book your appointment today.
