Let me tell you about one of the most common things that people aged 50+ who come to see me experience…
The sudden onset of shoulder and neck tension.
It often sneaks up on people without any warning.
And usually offers no explanation as to why you might wake up with with an annoying, nagging pain in the neck one day, that can even begin to make it difficult to enjoy daily life.
Neck pain can often be caused by a number of things…
Spending all day long at a desk looking at a computer screen, sleeping with too many pillows, (when we should ideally have one), ironing, watching TV and even reading a book before you go to bed.
Now, you might think the things I’ve just mentioned are simple, and that they wouldn’t cause neck and shoulder pain at all…
But the thing is, just as with anything, if something is done repetitively no matter how small or trivial, eventually it will have an impact on your body, and will surface a few years later done the line in form of pain, stiffness and tension.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at watching TV…
Let’s face it watching TV is something that most people do, and of course there’s nothing wrong with it!
I enjoy winding down with a good programme before I call it a night, and I love to spend Saturday mornings watching a few shows with my little boy Harry, but think about the position of your neck whilst you’re watching your favourite programme – it’s likely to be leaning forward, or positioned at an unusual angle depending on how you’re sitting.
Now, what most people don’t realise is that the head is designed to be kept in a position where your ears are in line with your shoulders, and most of the time when we’re doing certain activities, your ears are no longer in line.
And that’s ok! Especially if you’re only doing it occasionally. But if you’re doing this everyday, then you’re going to experience unwanted problems, like tension as time goes on.
So what can you do to fix a stiff neck before the tension gets any worse?…
Well to start with, when watching TV be aware of your neck posture.
If you notice your neck is leaning forward at all, tuck your chin in down towards your neck and chest. This will help to straighten the neck.
Another thing you can do as soon as you wake up is to take a hot bath or shower and have a gentle stretch. Muscles love to be warm, and they don’t like being kept stationary.
With that said, you could also consider taking up activities like Yoga and Pilates, which are great for your posture and can even reduce the risk of neck pain due to the amazing AND relaxing strengthening exercises.
For more ways and advice to ease neck and shoulder pain, go here next to collect your free tips report: www.paulgoughphysio.com/neck-shoulder-pain
You might know Paul as an expert Columnist who writes weekly health articles for TWO of the North East's biggest daily Newspapers, The Northern Echo And The Hartlepool Mail, he is a regular Speaker at Industry Seminars around the globe and a Radio Personality, often heard on the BBC. Paul has been an expert guest on dozens of Radio shows and regularly interviewed in newspapers, magazines and trade journals all over the world, including the Guardian.
Paul’s background included working extensively in the Premier League with a Top Professional Football Team, and since quitting his job in Professional Football in 2007, his Physio Practice has become the fastest growing in the UK and biggest in the North East. So successful, that companies like BUPA, ASDA, The Vela Group And Coast & Country, repeatedly retain his Physio company's services to keep healthy their own staff and workforce. Paul Gough Physio Rooms is now a large multi-physio, multi clinic speciality practice in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool.
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