Why is my neck so stiff when I wake up in the
morning? Why is my neck so sore by the end of the day?
These two questions have a lot in common. Obviously, only a health
care professional can determine the source of your neck stiffness or pain. If
there is no apparent trauma involved (like whiplash, a fall, or a sports
injury), and if other conditions (tumor, infection, arthritis, etc.) have been
ruled out, one of the most likely causes for chronic neck pain is poor posture.
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How can my posture cause my neck to hurt?
Your body is similar to a moving chain, with your head, body, arms
and legs linked together by joints, and supported by bones and soft tissues
(muscles, ligaments, etc.). Movement at one joint influences movement at other
joints in the chain.1 In fact, your feet can have a big influence on the rest of
your body, especially if they are not in balance. Postural imbalance places
stress and strain on body parts higher up, which can cause pain. Besides a foot
problem, obesity can also contribute to postural conditions. Being overweight
can cause stress pain to an area like the neck, as soft tissues must work all
day against the downward pull of gravity.
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Why does my neck hurt in the morning? Shouldn't it be
relaxed after I've spent the whole night off my feet?
Don't forget, your body has several postures, including a
standing/walking posture, a sitting posture, and a reclining posture. Many
"painful, disabling conditions of the soft tissues of the musculoskeletal
system are directly or indirectly related to posture in standing, walking,
moving, lying, sitting, bending, or lifting". 2 Relaxation of soft tissues
during sleep puts the cervical spine (neck) at risk due to stress from poorly
controlled movement and improper support. Improper sleep posture represents a
form of sustained stress, which can lead to problems with the neck muscles and
spine. For example, a person who sleeps on his/her stomach, or who sleeps on a
pillow or stack of pillows that do not support the neck properly, can put
excessive pressure on muscles and ligaments. To prevent spinal instability,
these soft tissues have to work harder all night; as a result, they can be
fatigued or irritated by morning.
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How can my healthcare professional help my posture?
Once you have been examined and your postural status evaluated, your
healthcare professional can determine what treatment will best relieve your neck
pain and help prevent your postural stresses from reoccurring. You may require
spinal manipulation to restore your neck to its proper alignment and relieve
stress pain. You may also be instructed to perform a series of at-home
rehabilitative exercises or perform physician-supervised rehabilitation at
Lommell Chiropractic with a program designed for you by Dr. Lommell. This
is to build up cervical
stability, help heal ligaments, and mobilize tight, stiff joints. In addition,
your we may determine that you need a cervical
support pillow to help protect your neck while you rest.
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How long will it take before my neck feels
better?
Only your health care professional can answer that question, and his
or her response will depend in large part on how involved you become with the
prescribed treatment program and/or lifestyle adjustments. You are more likely
to heal faster and feel better more quickly if you stick with the program
outlined by your healthcare professional. This could include rehab exercise, the
use of postural support devices, weight loss or other treatment programs
Ask us if Neck Exercises or a cervical support
pillow would help your condition.
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References
- Steindler : Kinesiology of the Human Body Under Normal and Pathological
Conditions (3rd ed.). Springfield: Charles C. Thomas Publishing, 1970.
- Cailliet R: Soft Tissue Pain and Disability (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: F.A.
Davis, 1988: 13.
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