Problems with Posture

[jillybeanposh]

Hi there does anybody else struggle with neck pain. I have had it for months now. Have been told by doctor that it's posture. But it is making me feel quite sick. I have had every pillow going. Doing exercises rubbing with all sorts of creams but just can't get it to ease. Hot water bottle does help. I know it is posture because the muscles really hurt both sides of my neck.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I’ve had success with YTW (standing) exercises in loosening up my shoulders and upper back. As with anything start small and build up. Head up while you run... chin just in front of the breast bone... and smile, that really helps the breathing and makes everything feel better... shoulders back, feet landing under the body. When not running, don’t sit for longer than 30 minutes, keep everything loose... I drive people crazy in the cinema 😂

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Hi jbp I suffer from neck and thoracic spine pain due to bad posture. I have found two things that help. Firstly a good physio who can help release the muscles and secondly Pilates classes. When I was going twice a week I had no neck pain at all. Your pain is probably caused by "action" muscles trying to do the job of supporting/stabilizing muscles ie your core. Core muscles are generally lazy and happy for other muscles to literally take the strain.

Unfortunately there is no quick fix and you need to be consistent (I have not been hence recent trips to the physio ). Build your core strength and you should see an improvement. It doesn't have to be Pilates but Pls do not do sit ups as they are not good for core strength or your neck!

Good luck

[jillybeanposh]

Thankyou. I will let you know how I get on.

[Franglaise Graduate]

Hi...I suffered slight neck pain when i started running....It was because i was looking at my feet and checking for Stoner as I run on trails. I have to make a conscious effort to look up and it really solves the problem. Yoga helps greatly too...hope the pain eases. I read "imagine you have a string on top of your head pulling you up tall and straight" i find this helps.

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to Franglaise]

Stones....bloody predictive text!

[HeavyFoot Graduate in reply to Franglaise]

Mind you, watch out for stoners too, lying on the paths away with the fairies 😁😁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

🤣

[jillybeanposh]

Yes I do tend to look at the ground when I let my dogs off on there walk I realised I am looking at the ground. Sometimes it is easier to

Look at the ground than straighten my head up. Thought about yoga. Xx

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to jillybeanposh]

The yoga really does compliment the running...feels so good stretching those musclez out and makes everything stronger...happy running.

[Bookbizlady Graduate]

Try a chiropractor. I had this year's ago, felt like my head was too heavy for my neck to hold and lots of pain. It was actually due to the muscles in my back, (kind of where a bra strap goes across as I don't know the technical term!). I had about 5 sessions be have exercises to do if it starts to tighten. But hasn't been a problem for several years now.

[ManchesterRunnerBean Graduate]

I second pilates. Found using movements better than holding poses like in yoga. I’ve had lot of problems with my neck for years. Exacerbated by computer work, long distance drives and someone crashing into my car from behind when I was stationary. I also see a chiropractor and I find this helps loosen it up. You May also want to look into the Alexander technique. I’ve also been through tonnes of pillows! I switch from back to side in the night and mostly use a John Lewis memory foam pillow now. You could also try rolling up a small towel and popping it under your neck for support at night.

[KerrieV]

I too mysteriously developed a one sided pain in the neck. I was running, using a backpack etc etc. I had this pain for about 6 months and was constantly rubbing my neck and shoulder and taking neurofen. I put it down to my beloved Siberian goose down pillow losing it's oomph. I tried a variety of new pillows, but nothing worked until I stayed with a friend in Cyprus. She had a memory foam mattress, and cheap as chips ortho memory foam pillows and I had 7 nights of excellent and the very best sleep, and no neck pain until I got home pretty much after the first night. I eventually tried this amazon.co.uk/Supportiback-O...

Only because it had really good reviews and a money back guarantee. It took a while to adjust to it, as I'm a die hard front sleeper, but I really like it. I still use the loved goose down pillow as a topper as the ortho one is very firm. The neck pain has gradually ebbed and not come back since November. It does smell weird, and it feels very odd to begin with, but I still sleep loads better. It is heavy - I call it my brick. But it worked for me.