Experiencing neck pain when studying? Here’s 3 tips for treatment and prevention:
As a student your mind is focused on deadlines, exams, and the stress of it all.
You may get caught up with study and neglect your well-being in terms of diet and sleep.
One aspect that is overlooked is the impact sitting at a computer for hours on end can have on your neck.
Here is a few tips to help you combat and improve neck pain, so that you can get those grades without having one more thing to worry about:
TIP 1: Posture
Posture is the most important thing to keep in mind in order to prevent neck pain.
Sitting in the wrong position for hours on end will have negative effects on your neck.
The correct posture while sitting is ideally having your ears directly above your shoulders, which in turn should be directly above your hips. This will keep your back at a right angle to your knees, which should be directly above your ankles.
TIP 2: Screen Position
Your screen should ideally be at eye level.
Laptops are commonly smaller and lower than desktops, so you should tilt the screen to maintain posture, rather than tilting your head to accommodate the screen.
When your head is tilted at a 45 degree angle, it puts 5 times more pressure on your neck than when your head is upright.
TIP 3: Neck Rolls & Breaks
You should keep your neck moving throughout your busy day.
Tilt your head right and down, roll your chin across your chest, then up the left side, forming a 'U' shape.
Do the same thing in the opposite direction.
Do this 5 times on each side. Repeat the process every hour.
You should also take regular breaks to relax your body and your mind.
A short break every hour will prevent your body from stiffening up and lead to improvements in your neck pain and productivity.
These tips will help prevent neck pain, which will have a positive impact on your mood, productivity, and grades.
Wishing you a healthy neck, and good results!
Sources:
https://www.optimalchiro.ie/2016/03/pain-while-studying/
Åsenlöf, P., Michaelsson, P., Grahn, B., Bergman, S., Axelsson, S., Gyllenswärd, H., Bergström, G., Medicinska fakulteten, Medicinska och farmaceutiska vetenskapsområdet, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för neurovetenskap & Fysioterapi (2016), "A Systematic Review Of Randomised Controlled Trials Studying The Preventive Effects Of Physical Exercise, Manual And Behavioural Treatments In Acute Low Back Pain And Neck Pain", International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 23, pp. S187.