Do you have ‘chicken neck’? Nine ways to avoid neck and lower back pain
A bad neck position when sitting can affect the alignment of the spine, shorten muscles and tendons and cause problems with the neck and lower back. Here’s what to do to avoid pain and injury
Have you ever had pain in your neck or lower back? Chances are, the two are related.
When we’re seated, the way we position our neck to balance our head directly dictates the position of our lower back. Why? Quite simply, the spine is made up of multiple curves suited to carry the weight of the head and position the pelvis.
These curves in the neck and lower back often mirror one another.
For example, if the neck is hyperextended when seated (a position known as “chicken neck”, with head stuck forward and down, with shoulders slouched) the nerves of the neck are pinched and muscles shortened, causing pain and shoulder tension. This is made worse by improper alignment of your feet, chair and desk.
Consequently, when you move around, the curves in the lower back that have been compressed feel stiff. It’s something many of us notice when we do finally stand up – needing to support our lower back with our hands, or wincing as we straighten up.
By understanding why this happens we can prevent it, and – in doing so – avoid long lasting damage.