Tension In Neck And What Can Be Done About It
Tension in neck is a common condition in the modern world. It is comprised of stress in the neck and shoulder area muscles and nerves that can be caused by a number of different activities and illnesses. Your doctor or chiropractor may tell you that you have tension neck syndrome if you feel pain, stiffness and sensitivity in the neck and shoulder area. You may also feel some tight, hard muscles in this area. Pressing on these areas may cause pain to radiate to your upper back, your head and/or throughout your shoulders.
There are many causes of neck tension. Among them are injury, infection, degenerative diseases and inflammatory diseases including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. People who have jobs that involve repetitive motion may suffer repetitive use injuries to the neck and shoulder area that lead to pain. This is especially true of jobs that require that a person work with arms elevated above the head for extended periods of time. This type of activity causes a great deal of stress in the neck and shoulder area and can lead to chronic muscle pain and fatigue.
Working at a computer can also cause neck this stress. Studies have shown that people who use a computer mouse for more than twenty-five hours a week are very likely to develop this condition. Furthermore, as little as four hours of computer work a day can contribute significantly to tension in the neck and shoulders. One way to counter these problems is to make certain the computer work station is set up in an ergonomically correct manner. People who work at computers should also incorporate frequent stretching and movement breaks into the day.
Indeed, proper diet, hydration, rest and exercise can help you avoid neck tension. Being in the best shape possible to begin with is always helpful in avoiding stress related problems and in dealing with physically challenging situations. Making good use of supportive devices, such as specially designed neck pillows, heating pads and other therapeutic neck pain products can help you avoid and treat the neck and back.
A 2018 study in the Journal of Neurophysiology indicates activation of muscles contributing to the net neck moment and subtle differences in posture and stability requirements of the unstable neck system cause variability in voluntary muscle activation.