How to Deal with Tension Neck Syndrome Caused by Repetitive Computer Usage

Tension Neck Syndrome Defined

The head receives support from the flexible muscles found in the neck. These muscles are flexible to allow a person to turn their head, nod in agreement among other functions. However, these muscles are susceptible to injury caused by poor posture or being overused. Tension neck syndrome is a condition related to a soft-tissue syndrome caused when the neck muscles become tender and fatigued.

Notably, computer devices are built in a way that the monitor is positioned a few inches below one’s eyes. Some children and adults with perfect vision can read and write on their computers without using glasses. However, others need to have prescribed glasses with them to be read clearly.

Maintaining clear visibility of the monitor depreciates as one becomes older because of the reduced focusing power of the eye. As a result, it is possible to find yourself adopting poor body posture such as leaning forward or hunching one’s shoulders to avoid straining the eye. This, unfortunately, strains one’s muscles and causes tightness in your neck.

Other Causes of Tension Neck Syndrome

The main cause of neck stiffness is a sprain on the neck tissues or a strain of the muscle due to poor posture. Unfortunately, most offices lack supportive furniture that can provide support to the arms, thus forcing the employees to hunch over their bodies to have a clear view of the monitors or type something.

Repeatedly tilting one’s head while answering phone calls also overwork the muscles causing straining. All these make it hard for a person to enjoy life outside the workplace due to the excruciating body pain and ache. Other daily activities can cause tension neck syndrome. These include:

• Poor sleeping posture
• The sudden impact such as being hit or falling
• Turning your head repeatedly from side to side
• Excessive anxiety

Tension Neck Syndrome Symptoms

• Tensed neck muscles
• Pain and aching in the joints
• Straining while moving the neck
• Tension headaches

Tips to Help Avoid Tension Neck Syndrome

For many people today, their jobs involve sitting at a desk for several hours a day, working on their computers. As a result, the upper body becomes strained because of sitting in certain positions for prolonged periods. As a result, stiff neck, sore shoulders, strained muscles, and headaches may be experienced, signifying the development of tension neck syndrome.

If you are working in an office environment whereby you have to sit at a desk, work on computers or answer various calls, here are some of the tips to help avoid TNS.

• Invest in phone accessories such as headsets that prevent you from constantly bending your neck.
• Ensure you have custom-made furniture, such as ergonomic desks with back support to prevent you from straining your muscles.
• Take breaks from time to time to walk around and stretch your body

How to Manage Tension Headaches

Tension neck syndrome can lead to tension headaches that disrupt a person’s ability to conduct their day-to-day activities. If you are wondering how to relieve tension headaches without necessarily visiting a doctor, you can try the following tips:

• Constantly drinking more water
• Consider getting sufficient sleep
• Eat a balanced diet
• Take over-the-counter medicines

When to Seek Emergency Care

Good health is one of the greatest assets a person can have. Therefore, if tension headaches persist or the patterns of the headache change, you should consider visiting an emergency doctor urgently. This is because persistent headaches are often a sign of an underlying medical condition.

As technological advancements revolutionize medical care, it is possible today to seek quality treatment from wherever you are at the touch of a button. All you have to do is simply search specifically for what you are looking for, and the internet will expose you to a variety of reliable options.

For instance, when looking for an emergency service provider near you, all you have to do is search for “er near me”, or “24/7 emergency room” Do not suffer in silence when you can get all the help you need at your convenience.