Neck pain is a miserable experience because it makes it very difficult to move your head from side to side due to intense pain. This can make it hard to drive, work, or function at all. In order to make sure that you are able to live a productive life, you need to reduce your neck pain. Here are some tips for making sure that you are able to get the most out of life.
1. Make Your Own Cervical Roll
One option is to make your own cervical roll. To do this, take a towel and fold it so that it is longer than is wide. Start rolling up the towel tightly from one end. Once your towel is entirely rolled, put a rubber band around one of the far edges so that it does not come loose. Then, put it in your pillow case, on top of your pillow, in the place your neck will be when you sleep. By placing the roll in your pillow case, you can be sure that it will not come loose in the night and that your neck will be properly supported. Giving your neck this extra support will make it much easier for you to get a good night's sleep and wake up pain-free and well-rested.
You can also purchase factory-made cervical rolls. Talk to your chiropractor to see if he or she has any suggested brands.
2. Sit Up Straight
Another way to make sure that your neck does not hurt as badly is to sit up straight. When you sit up straight, you properly align your back and ensure that the pressure from the weight of your head hits the parts of your neck and spine that are able to handle it, rather than parts that are going to get sore and cause you pain. Many people slouch naturally. To prevent yourself from falling back into old habits, set an alarm every fifteen minutes on your phone or laptop. This alarm should remind you to fix your posture.
3. Do Neck Rolls
Finally, every hour, perform a complete series of neck rolls. Roll your neck to the right and to the left, as well as all the way around. This will allow you to relieve tension and pressure in your neck, reducing the pain that you might feel. You can time it so that the alarm on the hour to remind you to sit up straight is also designed to help you remember to do your neck rolls.
For more help, talk to a chiropractor.
