The more things our electronic devices do, the more time we tend to spend on them. All this screen time comes at a cost, though. Our frequent use of digital devices has more people suffering from neck and shoulder pain. Even teens and children are experiencing pain from prolonged use of devices.
When using devices, people tend to spend too much time in positions that strain muscles and joints in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This can lead to a variety of painful problems like pinched nerves and poor posture.
Tips to Avoid Neck and Shoulder Pain
Watch your posture—try to make sure you hold handheld devices up so you don't crane your neck forward or put your head down for prolonged periods. If you're using a computer, make sure you're sitting up straight with your shoulders back.
Make sure you have the right equipment—an ergonomic chair can help maximize comfort when you're working at a desk. Make sure your chair height is adjusted so that your knees are in line with your hips and your feet sit flat on the floor. An ergonomic keyboard with a wrist rest can help make sure your arms and hands are in the proper position when typing.
Take breaks—frequent breaks allow you to move, stretch, and resume a natural position. This will help prevent you from inadvertently sitting in a position for too long that puts stress on joints, ligaments, and muscles. Set a timer so that every hour you get up and move around for a little bit during your work day. After work and on days off, limit your time on devices.
Seek Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care—the upper cervical spine, consisting of the uppermost seven vertebrae, runs through the neck and into the upper back. It is a vulnerable place prone to injury. Many people will have aches and pains for years without knowing that it is due to a slight misalignment of the upper cervical spine. The right chiropractor can help realign your spine and bring relief and prevent further problems from developing.
We Can Help with Neck and Shoulder Pain
At the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas, we can help alleviate neck and shoulder pain caused by upper cervical spine misalignments. Dr. Gordon Elder is an upper cervical specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique.
The Blair technique involves advanced 3D diagnostic imaging scans to help doctors pinpoint problems in your unique anatomy. Because the doctor can get a better sense of your anatomy with these scans, he's able to precisely apply low-pressure manipulations to gently correct your spine. This eliminates the guesswork, and there is no need for any sudden snaps and cracks. The Blair technique is safe, gentle, and non-invasive.
Dr. Elder has a three-step plan for people with neck and shoulder pain. It begins with a thorough screening to assess your overall health, and diagnostic imaging to calculate the angles of your spine.
Step two is where the healing begins. Dr. Elder makes adjustments with a light touch you will barely feel. Once your spine is properly aligned, it will relieve the undue stress put on your joints and muscles. The body's natural healing processes can then take over and repair the damage, restoring good health.
The last step is to help you take preventative measures to avoid further injury and discomfort. Regular visits can keep your spine in a healthy, aligned state and the doctor can nip any problems in the bud.
Neck and shoulder pain may not seem like a serious problem, but without treatment, the problem can get worse. You may reach a point at which the damage is irreversible. Call Dr. Elder for an appointment to see if upper cervical care can help you. Dr. Elder's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.