Working from home is more common today than ever. The global pandemic of coronavirus caused the workforce to shift, nearly tripling the number of people who work from home.
If you work from home, you probably love that you can wear sweatpants to work. But have you noticed an increase in neck pain?
One in three Americans experiences neck pain every year. For at-home workers, this can be linked to improper work chairs and desk setups. Living in pain can put a damper on your well-being and cause your mood to decline.
Texas Wellness Center, located in Richmond, Texas, provides a full range of chiropractic services to help alleviate problems like neck pain. Read on to learn what may be causing your neck pain and what we can do to help.
COVID-19 turned our lives upside down in many ways. For one, it caused alarm and fear of catching a new virus. Lockdown isolated us in our homes away from most facets of life, shifting many of us to a work-from-home setup.
Adopting a new at-home work desk might have meant working from the couch for many Americans. For others, it meant using their child’s cheetah print chair. Though this may have seemed like a cost-effective idea, these options offer poor ergonomics.
Similar to how poor-fitting shoes cause foot pain, a makeshift workstation can cause neck pain. Symptoms of neck pain include:
It’s no secret that working from home has caused an uptick in rates of neck pain and back pain.
Your neck has an important job – it provides stable support for the skull while allowing head movement. When you experience neck pain, it affects your entire day. You deserve to feel your best as you work and carry out your daily priorities.
Yvonne Hernandez, D.C. has over 10 years of experience in chiropractic care and has helped hundreds of patients alleviate neck pain for a more comfortable life. Dr. Hernandez may incorporate the following treatment(s) into your personalized plan.
Dr. Hernandez asks you to sit on a special segmented table and slowly manipulates your spine. The manipulation paired with the moving table works to decompress your spine, reducing pain in the back, neck, leg, and/or arm.
Using a variety of handheld instruments, Dr. Hernandez massages soft tissue to encourage the release of tension and faster healing.
Dr. Hernandez uses her hands or a handheld device to apply controlled jolts to your spine. The result is decreased pain and increased motion.
Are you experiencing muscle spasms? If so, Dr. Hernandez may suggest electrical muscle stimulation. During treatment, she places electrodes on your body that emit small electric currents to relax muscles, reduce swelling, and release trigger points.
Alleviate future neck pain by investing in a comfortable workstation that properly supports your spine. Here are some things to look for:
Opt for a chair that supports your spinal curves. Both of your feet should rest on the floor, so adjust the chair accordingly or get a foot rest if needed. Make sure to get a chair with armrests so you can gently rest your arms and keep your shoulders relaxed.
Set up your desk so that important objects are within reach like the phone and keyboard. If you can’t reach an object, always get up to grab it to reduce muscle strain.
Invest in a headset so you can opt for hands-free calling if your job requires frequent phone calls while taking notes. This prevents you from having to cradle your phone between your neck and shoulder, reducing poor posture and pain.
Choose a desk that has a comfortable height and allows for proper clearance of your knees, thighs, and feet. If your desk is too low, place books or risers underneath the legs to help you achieve a more desirable height. If the desk is too high, adjust your chair, and use a footrest if needed.
Curating a proper workstation takes some time and money, but it’s a great investment for your health. Your neck, mood, and well-being will thank you for many years to come.
Call 361-298-3362 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hernandez, or book online.
