Is My Job Causing Neck Pain? 3 Signs Your Posture Is to Blame

Having good posture can make you appear more confident, but posture isn’t just about how you look. Good posture helps keep your spine in the proper alignment, while poor posture is a common source of headaches and neck pain. Slouching builds pressure in your neck muscles Craning your neck forward just one inch over the neutral position adds an extra 10 pounds. of weight on your neck. 

But how do you know if your job 一and the posture you use while working 一 is contributing to your neck pain? Our team here at Precision Laser Joint and Spine Pain Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland, answers that question below.

Good posture versus bad posture

Whether you’re on your feet throughout your shift, you drive long hours, or you work on a computer, you make conscious (or even unconscious) decisions about your posture throughout your entire work day. 

Posture simply refers to the position of your body while you sit, stand, lay, or walk. Good posture is any position that keeps your bones and joints in alignment, decreases strain on your ligaments, prevents muscle fatigue, and helps reduce wear-and-tear on your joints. On the other hand, bad posture can contribute to muscle fatigue, contribute to joint pain, and throw your entire kinetic chain out of order.

3 signs your posture at work is causing neck pain

You might suspect that your job is causing neck pain if you have muscle tension and:

1. You work on your computer all day but don’t adhere to the right office ergonomic practices
2. You cradle your phone between your ear and your shoulder
3. You slouch frequently (either sitting, standing, or walking)

If you answered “yes” to any of the three red flags above, the posture you use at work may be contributing to your neck pain. 

Adopting better ergonomics at work

When you’re at work, you can promote good posture by:

• Using proper lifting techniques 
• Sitting with your feet flat on the floor with your knees bent at 90-degree angles
• Keeping your computer screen at eye level
• Typing with your wrists in neutral position and your elbows bent at 90-degree angles
• Sitting in an ergonomically friendly chair (with armrests, head rest, and lumbar support) 
• Standing with your shoulders relaxed, your feet shoulder-width apart, and with your head in line with your spine
• Taking regular breaks to stretch your neck throughout the workday 

To avoid tech neck at work, use a headset (either wired or wireless) instead of cradling your phone between your shoulder and ears. Alternatively, if you work on a tablet or phone, hold the device at eye level instead of bending your neck forward all day long.

Additionally, if you carry a briefcase on your commute, consider switching to a backpack-style bag to evenly distribute the weight. Slings and a briefcase can put too much weight on one shoulder and pull on your neck.

Get relief from neck pain 

No matter what job you hold, good posture is essential for a healthy neck. Even if you adopt these ergonomic practices, you might still struggle with residual neck pain. Dr. Dustin Hamoy can help you get the relief you need. Here at Precision Laser Joint and Spine Pain Center, we offer:

• Physical therapy
• Multiwave locked system (MLS®) laser therapy from ASA Laser

If you have underlying conditions, such as arthritis, that compound your neck issues, Dr. Hamoy can further customize your treatment plans.

Questions about neck pain? Give our Glen Burnie, Maryland, office a call at 410-324-2968. Or, you can use our online booking tool any time day or night.