Help for Neck Pain

Neck pain is a problem that many of us experience, but it may be partially caused by something that we do many times on a daily basis - look down at our phones.


I began to experience neck pain, which I never had before. It started in my shoulder, then went up my neck on the side, and even around to the back of my neck. It was uncomfortable, and I couldn't be free of it, no matter which way I turned. When the pain started, I thought maybe I had a crick in my neck from sleeping incorrectly, which happens sometimes, but after a couple of weeks I knew that wasn't it. 


Sometimes these pains we have can be caused by tension, stress or something else altogether. I took some time to think about what was going on with me, and what was I doing differently. It occurred to me that the pain started not too long after I purchased a new cell phone.


I gave myself a week to test the theory, so for the next 7 days I was careful to NOT look down at my phone, laptop or any type of screen. After a few days the stretching, and achey pain in my neck subsided, and it was clear to me that that was the cause of my issue. 


The answer wasn't to give up my phone, but to make a conscious effort to look down at my phone using my eyes, and not by tipping my head down to look at my screen. It took a little while to get used to, but it has really helped alleviate my pain. We love to use our technology, but sometimes its use can get us into trouble physically.

If you are experiencing neck pain, try giving yourself a little 'vacation' from looking down at your phone, and you may find it is just the thing you need.

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