3 Causes of Neck Strain & Pain

Dr. Sina Rajamand and his neurosurgical team at Battle Born Brain & Spine see many Reno patients who complain of neck pain. This can be from many causes; some common and some more rare. Recurring neck pain can slow your day to a crawl and make it difficult to focus on anything else. Dr. Rajamand shares three of the most common causes of neck pain and how you can prevent them.

Tech Neck

Our modern society revolves around the digital realm and most people enjoy the instant access to anywhere and anything that it provides. However, if you work on a computer all day, or frequently access your smartphone for email, video, movies or other needs, you could develop neck pain. This condition is called Tech Neck, and as the name implies, its primary cause is how you hold your head and neck when using a phone, tablet, computer or other digital device.

Constantly looking down or straining to see a screen of any size places undue stress on your neck. You are forcing your neck and cervical spine to hold the suspended weight of your head, which multiplies the strain. Prolonged strain of this type results in pain.

To prevent tech neck, make sure your computer screen is suspended at eye level when you sit and it is at a comfortable viewing distance from your face. Hold your phone up when viewing or suspend it (or a tablet) from a stand for easier viewing. Many products are available to hold tablets and smartphones for hands-free and ergonomic use.

Poor Sleeping Position

How you are positioned when sleeping can place strain on your neck and cervical spine and result in neck pain. The ideal sleeping position is with a perfectly aligned spine, from your head down to your hips. You can facilitate this with an efficient pillow that provides support for your head and neck and promotes this proper alignment.

If you wake with neck pain, trying a new pillow could help. You can also try different sleeping positions. An arm underneath your head may feel comfy when you lay down, but this can cause your neck to be misaligned and result in neck pain. Lying on your side with a good pillow allows the best means to keep your spine in alignment for better sleep and eliminating neck pain.

Whiplash

Of course, any trauma that impacts your neck and/or head can cause pain. Whiplash can frequently occur from car accidents, bicycle wrecks, falls, impact sports and physical altercations. The head is ‘whipped’ in a sudden back-and-forth motion, with the weight of the head placing incredible strain on the muscles, tendons, ligaments and structures of the neck and cervical spine.

Of course, avoiding any activity that could cause whiplash is desirable. Be careful when climbing and only do so if you are in good health. Use the proper climbing device for the job, such as approved ladders or steps. Protect yourself with adequate padding or support when playing impact sports.

If you have frequent or recurring neck pain, you likely need professional treatment. Contact Battle Born Brain & Spine in Reno, NV today to schedule a consultation and exam with Dr. Rajamand. We can discover the cause of your neck pain and create a solution that works for you.