Just about everyone experiences some form of neck pain throughout their lives—after all, people are living longer overall lifespans. While most neck issues are temporary occurrences, sometimes they can develop into chronic problems. This article focuses on what causes neck pain and both what you can do at home for it and when you should contact a physician.
What Causes Neck Pain?
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020, many people have shifted to working from home on their computers and phones. These activities can cause people to hold their bodies at unusual angles, with their necks hunched over for long periods of time. Dubbed “tech neck,” this posture can result in neck spasms, creaky neck and shoulder joints, and bad headaches, according to K. Daniel Riew, director of cervical spine surgery and co-director of spine surgery in the department of orthopedic surgery at the New York-Presbyterian Och Spine Hospital.When people look down at their devices, such as smartphones and computers, especially at more extreme angles, “the muscles in the back of the neck have to contract to hold your head up,” according to Riew.
