That pain in the neck!

Soha has just got back from office. She is busy with an important project and she is stressed out. Her neck feels stiff and her shoulder muscles are knotted up and excruciatingly sore. She walks around all day with pain in the muscles supporting her head and neck.

Soha is one among many who suffer from neck and shoulder pain brought on by stress and muscle strain. Most of the times, neck and shoulder pain can be prevented by adopting good posture and muscle relaxation techniques (including regular exercise). It is best to avoid long periods in positions that stress the neck, like sitting in front of the computer.

Before trying exercises to alleviate the pain, make sure that the neck pain is not due to a more serious cause. Sometimes pain may be a sign of an underlying problem which may require medical intervention. Pain that requires further investigation includes pain that:

• Radiates into the arms or jaw
• Is associated with tingling or weakness in the legs or arms
• Started after a recent injury.
• Is associated with headache, fever, muscle aches, stiffness in the neck, nausea or vomiting

Common causes of neck pain

In this hassle filled era that we live in, stress is a common culprit causing neck and shoulder pain. Reducing stress at home and work can ease the pain. Major behavioural changes may need to be incorporated into your daily routine. A general fitness program that includes aerobic is a great way to rid the body of stress.