Poor posture and neck pain

There is an increasing number of people visiting chiropractors for neck related problems, such as neck pain, headaches, dizziness etc. While discussing posture it has become more important to draw peoples attention to the use of mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices. These devices often encourage users to adopt a ‘hunched’ posture, which stresses neck and back structures. Repetitive poor postures can lead to pain and muscular imbalance. The muscles which should be activated during good posture are seldom used in poor postures becoming weak.

Here are a few contributing factors you should take note of to help reduce the chance of developing neck problems:-

  • Looking down at phones – holding our neck in a flexed position

  • Lying in bed watching electronic devices with your neck in poor positions

  • Poor posture at your laptops (use a laptop stand, additional mouse and keyboard)

  • Poor desk setup (get a full workstation assessment carried out and make recommended changes)

  • ‘Hot Desking’ (working from different workstations means they wont be set up with your ergonomic requirements in mind)

  • Get your desk correctly setup when starting a new job (most companies provide this service for you, so ask! For those who work alone or at home you may like to get some one in to asses your desk. Here are a few top desk setup tips to help you.

    We also recommend these fantastic office chairs. They have multiple adjustable components many chairs don’t, so you can set them up to specifically suit your needs, click here to find out more.

The average human head weighs 10-12lbs. When the neck is forward drawn, its centre of gravity shifts forward making the back of the neck work extra hard to counteract this force. It is important to try to avoid such postures and focus on holding your head in a neutral posture. Finding a good Pilates instructor can be a great way to learn what ‘spinal neutral’ position is. This position can be incorporate into everyday life to reduce the chance of poor posture and injuries.

Prevention is always better than cure. To find out more about Chiropractic and how it may help you with your poor posture, call us on 01392 984959 or email info@khchiropractic.com