The American workplace has drastically changed over the years from an active work day filled with lifting and moving objects to a work environment that almost encourages prolonged sitting and inactivity.
In addition, more and more people are working from home, so now there’s no longer a reason to get up – even for that cup of coffee in the break room or to talk with other coworkers.
If you don’t, yet work from home, chances are, you soon might. Many businesses are weigging the costs of renting space, electricity, and travel expenses and finding that having their staff work remotely makes a lot of sense.
If you don’t already work from home, the idea sounds almost magical.
You can relax on your couch or your back porch on a beautiful day and get everything done on your laptop (including a few loads of laundry!) What could be better?
But, when we move our ‘offices’ to home, we aren’t always thinking about the best way to set up your workstation. When we work for several hours a day hunched over our computers at the dinner table, it puts a huge amount of stress and strain on our neck muscles.
That’s why more and more Kansas City patients are looking for neck pain treatment options, and many are turning to conservative chiropractic care.
Why Are So Many Kansas City Patients Seeking Neck Pain Treatment?
Neck pain resulting from improper posture for a sustained period of time is now the most common work-related injury in Kansas City and in the entire U.S.
Whether you’re hunched over your keyboard to see a screen that’s too far away, slumped back on your couch with your laptop on your lap, or constantly looking down at your phone, these positions put the body in a strained or awkward state.
People tend to sit in a C-shaped position. Their head pushes forward while their hips tilt toward their back. When you’re in this position, gravity puts undue force on a body that’s not in the position to withstand the pressure. What’s worse, is that we hold this position for hours at a time!
Over time, your joints become misaligned, and your muscles become tight from lack of oxygen – often causing headaches and neck pain.
The Real Cause of Neck Pain
The spine, in its correct S-shaped posture, is designed to support your head by distributing it’s weight evenly throughout your body.
When that structure is compromised (as in a C-shape posture) the weight of the head can break the structure of the spine – putting pressure on the ligaments and muscles.
Someone sitting at a desk for 7 or 8 hours a day with chronic neck pain that becomes more painful toward the end of the day is injuring her body without even leaving her chair.
Neck Pain Treatment – 3 Steps to Eliminate Neck Pain, Forever
If you’ve found yourself in the habit of slumping in your office chair, chances are you’ll assume that position again by the end of the day unless you take some necessary steps to develop new habits.
1. Sit up Straight – It sounds simple, but it can be difficult if you’re used to slouching. Set up your work station so that your computer monitor is straight ahead. You shouldn’t have to look up or down to see the screen.
If you’re using a laptop, buy a inexpensive laptop stand or put your laptop up on top of some books, and purchase an external keyboard so that you can position your laptop screen where it feels most natural.
Your back should be touching the back of your chair, and your hands should lightly rest on your keyboard with your elbows making a 90 degree angle.
2. Move Around (at least every hour) – Get into the habit of standing up every 30 minutes. Setting a timer may help. Take a micro-break or a quick walk around the office or even outside. This has the added benefit of helping to clear your mind, too!
3. Maintain Motion to Your Joints – Chiropractors apply a gentle force to joints that are locked up or fixated, restoring motion and releasing the tension in your muscles.
Restoring and maintaining motion to these joints can actually prevent neck pain and injuries.
Regular chiropractic adjustments can keep your joints from becoming fixated and provide the motion necessary to maintain mobility throughout your entire lifetime.
Our Olathe chiropractors specialize in neck pain treatment and prevention. They have been providing family chiropractic services to the local Kansas City area for over 30 years.
Open 7 days a week, they offer family chiropractic treatment to patients all over the Kansas City metro. To see if chiropractic treatment can help with your specific neck pain symptoms, schedule an appointment below.
Learn More about Neck Pain Treatment Options
- 7 Common Mistakes That Make Neck Pain Symptoms Worse
- 7 Signs That You Need to See a Chiropractor For Your Neck Pain
- Signs of a Neck Problem Most People Miss