The cervical area of your spine, which makes up your neck, is the most flexible and allows more significant movement than any other spinal area. Besides this, the neck also supports or carries the weight of your head, another variable that explains why it is easier to obtain a neck injury. Neck pain is a common problem when muscles strain due to poor posture. Most neck pain in Jacksonville cases rarely signifies a severe problem, but sometimes it may indicate an underlying problem such as osteoarthritis. The following explains why your neck hurts and how you can prevent that.

Worn out joints

The joints in your body tend to wear as you advance in age, and so do your neck joints. Age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis deteriorate joint cartilage, allowing bones to rub against each other upon motion. Friction between bones produces pain and may sometimes lead to the formation of bone spurs which limit your range of motion. Osteoarthritis is irreversible, and the goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.

Nerve compression

Nerves traveling through the spinal space may get compressed due to several problems, including herniated discs and spinal stenosis. Herniated or bulging discs can occur anywhere along your spine but are common in the cervical and lumbar region. When a disc presses on a nerve, you may experience intense pain and other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness.

The area whereby you feel the pain depends on the location of the bulged disc. Nerve compression can also result from spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal space.

Muscle strains

Everyday activities that may seem harmless could trigger muscle strains which are usually painful. Neck muscles may strain due to overuse, including leaning over your computer for several hours. Other minor things such as bending your neck while using your smartphone or reading your favorite novel in bed can cause muscle strains. Fortunately, gentle stretching can help you reduce pain and discomfort.

Ways to prevent neck pain

Since most neck pain is caused by poor posture, minor adjustments in your everyday life can help you reduce your risk of this problem. Here is what you can do.

•  Place your laptop on your desk and sit on a chair whenever you need to work from your computer. Ensure your screen is at eye level to avoid straining your neck muscles. Use an ergonomic chair that supports your lower back to avoid developing back problems.
• Quit smoking. Smoking not only worsens neck pain but is also generally bad for your health. The nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels and limits oxygen and nutrient supply to your bones. As a result, these bones become brittle and more susceptible to fractures.

• Take frequent breaks whenever your work requires you to be in a sedentary position for a long time. You can walk around or stretch after every 30 minutes to reduce your risk of neck pain.
• Avoid heavy backpacks because they may strain your neck muscles and produce pain.

If home remedies such as over-the-counter medication and hot compresses don’t help, reserve a session today with your doctor at Florida Regional Pain Management for treatment to improve your quality of life.