The Link Between Neck Pain and Poor Posture: How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Don’t Let Neck Pain and Poor Posture Get You Down

Research shows that neck pain affects as many as 50% of adults every year. Have you ever sought relief from a building tension headache after a long day on your feet? Or, maybe you’ve looked up after hours at the computer and noticed you have a stiff, painful neck. Neck pain and poor posture are interconnected issues that can significantly impact one’s daily life.

In this blog post, we’ll uncover the link between neck pain and poor posture and how chiropractic care at our clinic can alleviate your pain and help keep it from coming back. We’ll also learn about the journey one of our patients took to find lasting, natural relief from her neck pain.

Bid farewell to persistent neck pain with correct posture and chiropractic care.

Maintain Postural Awareness so Neck Pain and Poor Posture Can’t Set You Back

Neck pain is often connected to poor posture – something that has become more prevalent due to the increasingly sedentary lifestyle we lead. Slouching postures, when maintained for extended periods of time, can strain the neck muscles and contribute to pain. Examples of poor postures commonly include:

• Forward Head Posture: When the head is held leaning forward, out of line with the rest of the spine, it places extra weight on the joints and surrounding muscles.
• Rounded or Hunching Posture: This affects the upper back and neck region, including the shoulders. This posture can strain the muscles around the neck and affect your shoulder function as well.
• Text Neck: Tilting the head downward for an extended period of time, such as with prolonged cell phone or tablet use.

Rather than thinking in terms of “good posture” or “bad posture,” we emphasize “postural awareness.” Postural awareness involves being aware of and actively maintaining a proper and balanced body alignment during various activities.

Understanding the risk factors for poor posture is crucial in addressing its connection to neck pain. Common risk factors include:

• Sedentary Lifestyle: Sitting long hours without breaks contributes to poor posture.
• Improper Ergonomics: Incorrect desk or workspace setups can lead to repetitive and prolonged poor posture while executing tasks.
• Muscle Weakness: Weak core and upper back muscles are unable to support the spine properly.

Mrs. Mott’s Experience With Posture, Neck Pain, And Relief

Mrs. Mott, a woman in her mid-50s, experienced persistent neck pain that disrupted her sleep, interfered with her ability to exercise regularly, and distracted her while at work. She was wary of taking medication for pain relief any longer, so she came into the clinic to explore chiropractic care.

We completed a detailed health evaluation to understand her medical history and current condition. We talked about her profession and job requirements as well as her exercise and other daily routines. It was determined that poor postural awareness – particularly the prolonged periods of slouching while working at her desk – was the root cause of her neck pain.

After discussing any questions and concerns Mrs. Mott had about chiropractic care, we used her goals to finalize a treatment plan.

• Chiropractic Adjustments: Targeted thrusts to vertebrae to correct and restore proper alignment of the spine.
  • Improve mobility
  • Restore range of motion
  • Reduce pain, soreness, and stiffness around the spine
• Manual Therapy: Reduce pain and inflammation while alleviating tension in the muscles.
• Postural Adjustments: Guidance on maintaining spine-friendly postures to prevent strain on the spine and muscles in the neck.

We also guided Mrs. Mott on strengthening exercises she can perform at home and during breaks at work to correct muscle imbalances and further support her neck and spine. After just a few sessions, she reported a notable decrease in neck pain and a return to the exercise routine she enjoys.

She continues to practice postural awareness and perform the exercises at home. We maintain a schedule of regular chiropractic appointments to monitor her progress and adjust as needed.

Don’t wait any longer to find relief from your neck pain. Legacy Chiropractic will give you the treatments and tools you need for success.