Sore neck? Consider a chiro

Is your neck aching from endless browsing, swiping and texting? Do you wake up with a stiff neck from poor sleep? Maybe you’ve been practising some bad habits lately?

This Spinal Health Week (May 23 to 29) we are asking the Docklands community to consider a chiro for neck pain.

Research shows that neck pain is a leading cause of disability in adults (reported up to 20 per cent of adults), with many presenting for assessment. In the Global Burden of Disease study in 2010, neck pain ranked fourth highest in terms of disability and 21st in overall burden. Not surprisingly, neck pain (cervicalgia) constituted in the top five back problem hospitalisations in 2017-18.

With the average Australian spending more than five-and-a-half hours on their phone each day and a third of us checking our phone within five minutes of waking up each morning – means we are glued to our phones from the moment we wake up, to the moment we go to sleep!

Neck aches and pains are now a common occurrence placing a huge burden on mental health, relationships, ability to work and quality of life, and it doesn’t stop at neck pain. Neck problems are a common trigger for headaches. They can also cause jaw problems, shoulder pain, or weakness and tingling into the arms and hands.

However, living with neck pain doesn’t have to be part of everyday life. Implementing positive spinal health habits in the first place, including good posture, sleep hygiene and partaking in regular stretching and exercise regimes are important factors in preventing neck pain.

Dr Carla Cerra from Docklands Health said, “From standing, to sitting, to lifting, to sleeping – every position your body takes can have an impact on your spinal health. It’s very common to go about your day and not pay attention to some of your activities that may be having a detrimental effect on your neck, and it doesn’t stop at neck pain. Neck problems are a common trigger for headaches. They can also cause jaw problems, shoulder pain, or weakness and tingling into the arms and hands.”

“Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in people seeking help for musculoskeletal pain, including the neck area, and we are conscious there may be many more people suffering in silence.”

Chiropractors want Australians to safeguard their quality of life and overall wellbeing by taking the time to assess their spinal health and address any neck aches or pains they may be feeling and seek the appropriate care.

Implementing positive spinal health habits in the first place, including good posture, sleep hygiene, and partaking in regular stretching and exercise regimes are important factors in preventing neck pain. Dr Carla suggests: “There are many things that can be incorporated into a day-to-day routine that can improve your neck health or help to assess if you need professional assistance.”

For example, these are three easy steps you can add into your daily life to help safeguard and improve your neck health:

• Take a 20-second “posture break” every 20 minutes.
• Regularly move your neck by performing slow and gentle shoulder rolls, neck rotations and neck side bends.
• Correct your neck posture – lightly draw your shoulders back to open your chest. Imagine gravity works in the reverse, gently lengthening your neck and allowing your chin to tuck in slightly.

If you are concerned about your neck health following two years of lockdown and disrupted routine, consider visiting your local chiropractor at Docklands Health to help you live your healthiest, most fulfilling life •