What A Pain In The Neck!

From your friends at Baptist Health

It’s important to be active in your prime years. But what if back and neck pain keep you from enjoying recreational and social activities? Here are some tips on how to avoid the pain so you can partake in the fun.

To prevent back pain, sleep on your back or side with knees bent, not on your stomach. Try relieving stress with relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. Make sure work surfaces are at a comfortable height. Take short stretch breaks every half-hour. A brief walk not only circulates the blood but can prevent muscle cramps in your back. Finally, lift heavy object by bending your knees and not your back.

A stiff neck is easy to prevent as well as relieve. First, sleep on a firm mattress, with a pillow thin enough that your neck does not bend. If you experience neck pain, massage - or have someone massage - your upper back, shoulders and head. Head rolls stretch the muscles, warming them up to alleviate pain. To perform head rolls, reach your ear to one shoulder, roll the head forward (chin to chest), then roll to the other side.