If you're reading this, stop slouching
Effective ways to relieve neck pain and improve posture
Our bodies are attuned to adapt to the comfort of only one plane of motion. Our daily activities such as using our mobile phones, reading & working on our laptop for prolonged hours has resulted in a habitual pattern for our body to be in this posture known as the 'forward neck posture'.
So, what is the problem here? Let's break it down in the simplest way:
Initially, we would turn to acupuncture, heat, ointments or even massages to relieve the pain– but these are temporary measures as you would repeat the same cycle again.
Stretching can be an option added, however, the ultimate practice is to use activation techniques
In the beginning, the use of acupuncture, heat, ointments and massages will make you feel good until the same symptoms return. Stretching might be the right thing to do as well BUT firing up the muscles is the actual fix to it instead of temporary relief.
The incorporation of mobility exercises are also crucial to fix the problem in the long run. Here are some beginner exercises you could do first to target on the root cause of the problem as well as alleviating pain.
- Our neck muscles– both front and the back becomes elongated when they work actively and extra hard to hold and support our head which makes them overworked and tired
- They become tense as a result of providing extra support while gradually becoming weaker
- Since the our neck muscles is attached to our shoulder and upper back, the back muscles are elongated and weak while our chest muscles becomes contracted and tight
- Put these all together, you will get a more prominent rounded shoulders and a slouched posture.
Initially, we would turn to acupuncture, heat, ointments or even massages to relieve the pain– but these are temporary measures as you would repeat the same cycle again.
Stretching can be an option added, however, the ultimate practice is to use activation techniques
In the beginning, the use of acupuncture, heat, ointments and massages will make you feel good until the same symptoms return. Stretching might be the right thing to do as well BUT firing up the muscles is the actual fix to it instead of temporary relief.
The incorporation of mobility exercises are also crucial to fix the problem in the long run. Here are some beginner exercises you could do first to target on the root cause of the problem as well as alleviating pain.