Avoiding Neck Sprain

The neck balances and supports the head.  Important nerves and tracts pass through the neck.  Damage, strain or pull in the neck region can cause a lot of inconvenience and discomfort like experiencing stiffness or a sudden pulling sensation in the neck.

To avoid such conditions, you can follow some precautions and preventive measures.

Supporting the neck is very important.  While you sit for work on the computer, place your computer in such a way that the monitor is placed conveniently.  It should not cause stretching or twisting of the neck.

While reading paper, or looking at the computer, take care to see that the book/screen is parallel to the eyes, so that your neck is straight.  Avoid stooping, or leaning your neck towards one side.

Do not let your head hang downwards.  This creates pressure on the neck.

While you sleep, use a suitable pillow.  Take care to see that your head is not placed very high above your body.  Avoid using two pillows.  Use a soft and comfortable pillow.

Your sleeping position should not be such that your head hangs below your body.  For example, while sleeping and turning over, your head may reach the edge of the bed and hang below.  Change your sleeping position when this happens.

Do not get up with a jolt.  While getting up, rise slowly, so that there are no sudden jerking movements in the neck region.  While you lie down, do not fall back and let your head bounce on the bed.

Do not sit continuously in the same position, especially while working on the computer.  It may lead to stiffness of the neck.

If there is stiffness, do not jolt your neck to the right or left in jerking movements.

Exercises like rotating your head slowly in clockwise and anti clockwise direction (for 10 times each) daily can help in preventing sprain, muscle pull or stiffness of neck.