Do you suffer from constant neck pain? You're not alone; with somewhere between 75% and 85% of Americans complaining of back or neck pain at some point during their lives, it's clear that something needs to be done. However, as with most health issues, prevention is better than a cure, and taking care of poor posture will help you. Fixing a slouch or a hunch takes conscious effort. Think of it in terms of learning how to sit, stand, and even walk again - but your spine will thank you forever.
Stand Up
How are you standing? Does your head tilt away from center? Do you slouch and hunch your shoulders? Stand tall, making sure you're not bending forward or locking your knees, and that your buttocks are tucked under rather than sticking out behind you. Also pay attention to your feet; pointing in the same direction is the ideal. If you're standing up for a long time, make sure you shift your weight periodically, and don't get fixed in one position.
Sit Down
With our increasingly sedentary work and home lives, sitting down is probably causing most of our back issues. Hunching over a computer with no support either for wrists or the back doesn't take long to cause serious problems. Sit well back in your chair, and either use a commercially-bought cushion to support the small of your back, or use a rolled up towel. When getting up, don't hop onto one foot or twist - distribute your weight evenly.
However, if you're in serious amounts of pain, or have limited movement, it's worth consulting a professional to get back on the right track, and to relearn how to use your body properly. The Katella Chiropractic and Laser Center will work out a program including re-education and rehabilitation just for you.
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