Shoulder and neck pain can plague many KC women throughout their lives. The best way to avoid shoulder and neck pain starts with learning about the cause of your pain and also by knowing the proper way to soothe it. According to Dr. William C. Shiel of MedicineNet.com, neck pain arises from many causes including neck strain, degenerative disc disease, whiplash, herniated discs and pinched nerves. Most shoulder pain comes from injury to muscles or ligaments, but can also stem from a broken collarbone, a broken shoulder blade, rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, shoulder separation and gallbladder disease.
Due to the varying reasons and treatment options for neck and shoulder pain, Shiel recommends seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Options for diagnosing pain can range from x-rays to MRIs to CT scanning. Some of the many treatment options include heat or ice applications, rest, acetaminophen (Tylenol), anti-inflammatory medicine, physical therapy, topical pain patches, topical anesthetic creams, as well as surgical procedures for more severe injuries.
In Total Health for Women, Ellen Michaud and Elisabeth Torg recommend taking the following steps to keep your neck and shoulders healthy:
Neck Tips:
- Keep your head in a neutral position
- Use a good and full pillow
- Avoid awkward neck and head positions while sleeping during travel
- Don’t crack your neck
- Avoid carrying heavy handbags, briefcases, backpacks, etc.
- Use the headrest on seats
Shoulder Tips:
- Stretch and warm up shoulders before exertion
- Take breaks during long periods of work or strain
- Make sure work surfaces are at a comfortable height
- Lift items by bending the knees and keeping the item close to your body
- Strengthen your shoulders through weight lifting
Kelly Nelson is an intern for KC Parent Magazine. She is a junior at the University of Missouri and is studying Journalism and Spanish.