Sitting at the office for hours and using the wrong pillow can spell trouble: Don’t ignore neck pain.

In today’s busy lifestyle, the habit of sitting in front of a desk job or computer for continuous hours has become a common thing for people. But do you know how much this small habit of yours can cost your health? Nowadays, the problem of cervical pain i.e. neck and shoulder pain is increasing rapidly among young people and elderly people. Working in the office with wrong posture for long hours and using a pillow that is too high while sleeping at night makes this problem more serious. If the causes of this neck pain are not understood in time and the lifestyle is not improved, then this problem can take a serious form in the future. Let us know the 5 main reasons behind increasing cervical pain and some easy home remedies to get relief from it.

5 major and surprising reasons for increasing cervical pain

This problem related to neck and spine does not arise suddenly, but some of our everyday bad habits are responsible for it:

• Sitting in wrong posture for a long time: While working on computer and laptop in office or home, sitting bent or keeping the neck bent at the same angle continuously is the biggest cause of cervical pain.

• Using a pillow that is too high or hard: Using a pillow of wrong thickness or too high while sleeping can cause the neck muscles to remain stretched throughout the night, causing severe stiffness and pain when you wake up in the morning.

• Excessive use of mobile (Text Neck): In today’s time, people keep their heads bent and looking at the mobile phone screen for hours, which puts excessive pressure on the nerves and bones at the back of the neck.

• Lack of physical activity and exercise: By not exercising at all, the neck and shoulder muscles become weak, due to which they are unable to bear the weight and stress.

• Stress and mental anxiety: Due to excessive mental stress or anxiety, the muscles of the body start contracting, especially in the shoulder and neck areas, due to which pain occurs.

Easy and effective home remedies to get relief from cervical pain

If you also often feel strain or pain in the neck, then you can get instant relief with these home remedies:

• Hot and Cold Compress: Apply hot water bag or ice pack on the painful area two to three times a day. This removes muscle stiffness and improves blood circulation.

• Light stretching and yoga: Take a short break in between work and slowly rotate the neck back and forth and left and right. Apart from this, doing yoga asanas like Bhujangasana strengthens the neck.

• Correct posture and use of orthopedic pillows: Always use surgical or orthopedic pillows that support your neck while sleeping and always keep your back straight while sitting.

• Massage with oil: Massaging the neck and shoulders gently with lukewarm mustard or Mahanarayan oil reduces muscle tension and provides great relief from pain.