Pain in the Neck: Is Your Job Causing You Neck Pain?

If your neck is constantly aching by the end of the workday, it could be important to explore the causes and seek relief. Ignoring neck injuries may cause them to evolve into long-term injuries. Some may even be more serious than you assume. Below we’ll explore some of the most common work-related causes of neck pain.‍ ‍

Road accidents‍ ‍

If you spend a lot of time on the road (driving delivery vehicles, taxis, trucks or buses) you’re at higher risk of sudden jolts and collisions. Whiplash is a common injury that can develop following even minor crashes - this is when the head is thrown forward and back quickly, straining soft tissue such as muscles and ligaments. ‍ ‍

Injured transportation worker claims often involve serious neck and back problems. Make sure to always see a doctor after a road accident if you experience any pain at all, even if symptoms show up days later.

It’s worth noting that poor seat positioning and posture while driving can also contribute to issues - make sure that you’re not leaning forward and that there is an adequate headrest.

Tech neck

Office work may seem harmless, but it’s actually the cause of many repetitive strain injuries. ‘Tech neck’ is a word used to describe neck pain caused by looking down at a screen. It’s most common with phones and tablets, but can also occur if you’re looking down at a laptop or PC screen.

Make sure that you are not craning your head forward all day to look at a screen. Ideally the top of your screen should be at eye level - either buy a taller desk, adjust the height of your chair or raise your laptop/monitor so that it is at the correct height.

Heavy lifting

Jobs that involve lifting, carrying or pushing - like warehouse work, construction, healthcare or retail - can easily overload the neck and upper back. This can often be the result of how you move your body and not just how heavy an item is.

Avoid twisting sharply while lifting and take caution when lifting heavy weights over your head. Try to keep your head up too while carrying heavy objects - constantly putting your head down will lead to neck strain.

Where possible, use trolleys and mechanical aids so you don’t have to rely on manual lifting. A good workplace will provide these where they are needed. If you feel you could benefit from more or better equipment, talk to your employer.

Chronic stress

Not all neck pain comes from physical strain. Mental and emotional stress can cause many of us to unconsciously tense up our shoulders and jaw. This can often affect the muscles in the neck.

In high pressure jobs, stress management is often key to prevent physical fatigue and stiffness. Take breaks to destress by getting away from the workplace, going on a brisk walk or finding somewhere private to meditate. At the end of a stressful day, you can meanwhile relieve stress and tight muscles by taking a hot bath or simply giving yourself time to rest.

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