Modern work and way of life come with a lot of benefits, there is no doubt there. But with them come some negative side effects that can severely impact our quality of life. For example, while many yearn for office work or are working from home, prolonged sitting is not a very healthy habit. Also, excessive or inappropriate physical activities can cause many health problems.
The neck and back are what carries us thru life and these situations, and it’s important to offer them proper care. Any sign of pain, stiffness or something similar is a valid cause for action which you take immediately. Luckily, we have a list of a few things you can do or take to prevent, reduce or resolve when it comes to unpleasant feelings in these areas.
1. Adapt to your lifestyle
Your body is actively trying to communicate with you. If you feel pain or discomfort in your neck (or any other area) chances are that your body is at its limit and, you should reconsider or adapt. If you are sitting in front of your computer for a long time then consider standing up and doing some light stretching. If you are carrying a lot of items, or just something heavy for you, consider taking multiple trips or using any help available. There is no point to push and straining yourself when your health is on the line.
2. Cold and hot therapy
The muscles around your neck and back are there to provide initial support and protect as much as they can. When they are stiff or sore, it means that they are at their limit and need your help. In the immediate moment, you can use just about anything with a cooling effect. Some examples are ice packs, plain ice wrapped in a towel or similar.
This is because the cold reduces swelling and inflammation. It’s also a mild and local anesthetic. After 24 to 48 hours, you should start using heat methods. These will increase the blood flow to the area where they are applied. Such an effect will cause deep tissues relaxation and ease your muscle spasms.
3. Consult a professional
As mentioned, neck and back pains are not to be taken lightly. If left untreated, or even worse, completely ignored, they can develop and spiral into serious, life-threatening or debilitating conditions. Licensed professionals can help relieve you of pain and treat the condition.
Many licensed practices like Briz Brain & Spine can help you improve your life standard as that is something they strive for. There is no shame in asking for help and not living with acute pain. Neck and back pain management is not something to be taken lightly and swept under the rug. Your spinal column, posture, nerves and general mobility are at stake so take any means necessary to improve your health.
4. Over the counter treatments
Judging the severity of the situation can help you determent the best medication to take at the moment. These must always be treated as short term solutions as they are there to relieve you of pain. Never overuse them or apply them at your own risk besides what’s written on the instructions. Medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, aspirin or ketoprofen are o called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs for short. This is just something to have as a backup plan or as a temporary solution as they are not a magical fix for your neck and back problems.
5. Alternative methods
It may sound unbelievable at first but, a lot of these problems come from our heads. Daily life with stress and worries takes its toll on our mind and body. These effects can build up inside our bodies and reflect on our neck and back. After all, they are what keeps us afloat and thru it all. Consider massages, acupuncture and meditations as alternative methods of treatment. These are scientifically proven to help and relieve neck and back pains to an extent.
With all these methods listed above, consulting your doctor or physician is always the smart thing to do. With their professional advice (which can sometimes include the mentions above), your problems will become a thing of the past.
