Working in an office, whether it's a home office or a corporate one, involves sitting for long periods every day. All that sitting combined with the leaning forward and unnatural head positioning required to use a computer for hours at a time can cause chronic neck pain. Here is a brief guide to neck pain relief and prevention for office workers. 

Prevention

Neck pain from office work boils down to issues with posture, strain, and support. If you spend most of the day leaning to reach your keyboard or straining your neck to look at your computer monitor, pain is inevitable.

The first step to preventing pain is to use a supportive, ergonomic office chair. This chair should be adjustable and offer lumbar and neck support. Next, arrange your desk strategically. Your computer monitor should be placed at eye level, and the keyboard and mouse should be easy to reach without any leaning or straining. It's also essential that you take breaks to walk, stretch, and stand every 30 minutes.

Treatment

Chiropractic adjustment, with or without physical therapy, can be used to effectively provide long-term neck pain relief. During an adjustment, a chiropractor will skillfully apply a controlled amount of pressure onto the vertebrae of the spine. This reduces pressure, inflammation, tension, muscle spasms, and nerve irritation. If you plan to continue to work at your office job for an extended period, regular adjustments help to both treat and prevent associated neck and back pain. Developing an exercise routine that includes plenty of stretching, such as yoga or pilates, can also go a long way toward undoing some of the damage caused by prolonged sitting. 

If you're searching for neck pain relief, you can count on Randy R. Collins, DC, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. Dr. Collins has offered high-quality customized chiropractic care since 1979. Call (808) 839-7474 to schedule a full evaluation and start building your individualized holistic treatment plan.