Waking up with Neck Pain - Has this Happened to You?

Neck pain can range from annoying to debilitating. What is a little
stiffness if it goes away? Everybody has soreness after a long day at
the computer. Usually it goes away, but sometimes it just gets worse.

The warning signs were there. I was starting to wake up a little stiff
in the morning. The stiffness was going away in the shower, but it was
starting to take a little longer. When looking over my shoulder to change
lanes I was noticing a little extra stiffness. Maybe I was not able to
look as far. Guess it was a little reminder to other drivers to stay out
of blind spots, no damage done.

There was the soreness in my neck muscles. They would start to ache
after an hour or two on the computer. A little rubbing and a quick coffee
break would always help relief the discomfort. It was getting sorer in
the afternoon. Maybe I was rubbing the muscles more in the afternoon.
I did consider working on my posture this week to relieve the soreness;
however, I really needed to concentrate on this project with the upcoming
deadline. Ice was a fleeting thought, because that would involve walking
over the freezer. Who wants to ice unless they have to?

Well now I have to ice. The pain went from a little stiff and sore to
a constant dull ache. I feel this sharp stabbing motion when I look to
the left or down. I want someone to rub it, but it is too tender. Who
wants to sit here all weekend with neck pain?

Next week I will work on my posture. I do remember the talk and handout
on posture. Sitting forward and slouching places more stress on the neck
muscles and joints. The further the head goes forward the more stress
on the neck joints and muscles. The repetitive stresses and postures can
eventually overwhelm the tissue and create a small injury. Those injured
tissues begin releasing small chemicals that signal injury and inflammation.
The body responds by tightening up to protect the area. It tries to limit
movement to further decrease the level of damage. It also makes everything
sore and uses pain to keep me from doing something I shouldnt.

Maybe I should think more about performing those exercises and stretches.
There is probably some wisdom into getting my neck stronger to endure
the long hours at the computer. Increasing the muscle flexibility would
probably help me long term to prevent reoccurrences of neck pain. Combining
this with improving my posture would definitely help me in the long term.

I'm sure my head is not getting any bigger or heavier. However I keep
slouching more and more. Several people have commented on my rounded shoulders
and slouching when I am at the computer. It makes sense that the more
forward my head is the harder the muscles have to work to support it.
I really cannot decrease my work an hour, so improving my posture seems
like an important step.

Those things need to wait for a few days because now it is about getting
rid of this pain. Today I will focus on icing and performing my range
of motion exercises. A couple of quick visits to the chiropractic and
physical therapy clinic will help get rid of the pain.

As I sit here with an ice pack for the next 15 minutes, I'm going to
make some great promises to myself. Now I am motivated to make the changes
to get rid of the chronic neck pain.