It has happened to all of us, young and old. You are living your best life when all the sudden you are stopped in your tracks with neck pain. Chances are, you don’t even remember what you did to cause the pain.
The simple explanation is that everyday actions commonly cause the pain you have in your neck. You are not alone. In the US, 1 in 3 people have experienced neck pain at least once in the past year.
10 Everyday Actions That Can Cause Neck Pain
- Sleeping – If you have a mattress or pillow that does not provide proper support it can cause neck pain. Sleeping in a “funny” or incorrect position can also cause strain on your neck muscles and create pain.
- Poor Posture – Do you slouch when you sit? Do you spend hours on your phone or a tablet? Do you have your computer monitor at an incorrect height? If you answered yes to any of these, this could be the cause of your neck pain.
- Grinding Your Teeth – Or any side effect of stress can cause tension and pain in your neck.
- Reading in Bed – Chances are you are not sitting or lying down in a proper position when reading in bed, this strains your muscles and causes pain.
- Aging – Osteoarthritis can cause the cartilage (cushioning) between the bones in your neck to deteriorate.
- Carrying a Heavy Bag – The weight of a heavy backpack or purse on your shoulders can put pressure on your neck muscles and over time lead to neck pain.
- Starting a New Exercise Program – If you have recently taken up biking or swimming backstroke, holding your head in a position to allow you to see can cause neck pain.
- Sit Ups – Sit ups are a great way to work out your abdominal muscles. But if you do them improperly, immense strain is put on your neck muscles. This is not a reason to skip the sit ups, just a reason to learn proper form.
- Enjoying a Cool Night – We all enjoy a cool breeze in the evening. Whether you were sitting on your porch, out for a walk, or just have your windows open, but cold weather can cause your muscles to tense.
- Painting – If you recently painted your home (and epically if you painted the ceiling) holding you neck in a position to look up can cause neck pain.
Concluding Thoughts
Remember, sudden, acute (lasting from 1 day to 6 weeks) neck pain is caused by a variety of reasons. It generally is not a sign that you have a larger medical issue. Over the counter medications and easy stretches can usually help ease the pain and allow you to enjoy life again.
Remember, any pain that lasts longer than 1 week or occurs frequently without a related injury should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. If you are experiencing pain schedule an appointment today!