Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Yoga for Drivers Neck and Shoulder Pain Part 1

Yoga for Drivers Neck and Shoulder Pain Part 1

Chronic neck and shoulder pain are common complaints. But the good news is that with good posture and exercise it's possible to undo the effects of years of slumping and neck tension.

Each and everyday, you are putting stress on your spine, which directly impacts the tension in your neck, shoulders and back. Even simple, everyday tasks like sitting at a desk, driving, and bending over can contribute to wear on these sensitive parts of your body giving back pain.

Your sleep time is supposed to be the time of day when these areas of your body are allowed to relax and regenerate. However, if your neck isn't properly supported while you're sleeping, your body doesn't have a chance to recover from the stress it endured throughout the day. Improper neck support while sleeping can cause increasingly severe neck, back and shoulder pain over the years, to a point where it becomes unbearable.

Neck, back and shoulder pain can actually begin a vicious cycle. You're in pain, so you can't sleep, but you need to sleep (and sleep right), to be able to get rid of the pain. A continuous lack of sleep can even lead to further problems like depression, chronic fatigue, and believe it or not, even weight gain has been linked to a severe lack of proper sleep. Fortunately, scientists and health professionals take the causes of neck, back and shoulder pain seriously, and have consistently worked towards finding methods and remedies that will alleviate the wretched symptoms.

The first step towards eliminating the discomfort of these symptoms is to correct your sleep habits, and the most important part of this step is to get a pillow that properly supports your neck. Try to find one that is made to be tailored to the position you sleep in, as not all pillows are created equal. Memory foam pillows have been increasing in popularity, and rightfully so. There have actually been quite beneficial in relieving neck, back and shoulder pain for a number of people who have been enduring it for years.

Massage, yoga, and proper exercise are also methods that have been found to reduce pain in these regions of the body. By incorporating small change like these into your lifestyle, you should have no problem overcoming your ailments.


by Glen Wood - The Yoga Teacher

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