In this high tech world we are living in, we are dependent on our phones, tablets, and laptops. We don’t leave home without them. It is a great convenience and allows us to access information in seconds, however it also puts your body in prolonged positions that stress your muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissue structures. It can also cause “trigger points” in muscles especially in your upper back and shoulders. Trigger points are taut bands of muscle tissue that are painful to touch.
Here are 3 tips to prevent neck pain and trigger points:
1. Posture!
Sit up tall and avoid looking down for long periods of time. Bring your phone or tablet up to eye level. Use a lumbar support to avoid slouching.
2. Move!
Get up from sitting and move around at least every 45 minutes. This gets you out of slouched postures and promotes healthy blood flow to your soft tissues. Regular exercise keeps your muscles healthy and your joints lubricated!
3. See a Physical Therapist!
A Physical Therapist will help you identify problem areas and give you recommendations on exercises to strengthen muscles and improve your posture.
If you are having problems with your neck, come and see me or one of our highly skilled physical therapists at OSI Physical Therapy.
– Julie Meyer, PT
