How Do I Stop My Neck From Hurting At My Desk?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Practice good posture. When sitting at your desk, place your feet flat on the floor and keep your back flush against the chair. …
  2. Adjust monitor height and keyboard placement. …
  3. Stand more. …
  4. Limit phone screen use. …
  5. Walk around.

How should I sit to relieve neck pain?

You should be

sitting up straight

and the keyboard should be placed so that your elbows are flexed at 90 degrees, says Dr. Quraishi. Make sure your shoulders are back, and don't slouch. Short periods of standing and walking throughout the day are beneficial.

How can I prevent neck pain from working at home?


Put a small pillow behind your lower back to maintain an arch

. When you recline, you put your upper body weight into the chair instead of down your spine. This also relieves the neck muscles from having to hold your head up. Feel the back of your neck in that posture.

Why does sitting hurt my neck?

Poor posture can cause neck pain

by straining muscles and ligaments that support the neck

, resulting in injury over time. The head-and-shoulders-forward posture is the most common example of poor posture that contributes to neck pain. This occurs when the neck slants forward, placing the head in front of the shoulders.

How do you treat a desk neck?

  1. Take a short break. …
  2. Ice or heat therapy. …
  3. Over-the-counter pain reliever. …
  4. Gentle stretching and self-massage.

What helps neck pain while working?

  • Practice good posture. When sitting at your desk, place your feet flat on the floor and keep your back flush against the chair. …
  • Adjust monitor height and keyboard placement. …
  • Stand more. …
  • Limit phone screen use. …
  • Walk around.

What helps a stiff neck in 60 seconds?

  1. Apply heat or ice to the painful area. …
  2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  3. Keep moving, but avoid jerking or painful activities. …
  4. Do slow range-of-motion exercises, up and down, side to side, and from ear to ear.

What does a pinched neck nerve feel like?

A pinched nerve in the neck may feel

like pins and needles

. It might also cause pain and weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand. Severe cases require medical care. But if your symptoms are mild, you can try exercises for a pinched nerve in the neck.

How do you loosen tight neck muscles?

  1. Keep your head squarely over your shoulders and your back straight.
  2. Slowly turn your head to the right until you feel a stretch in the side of your neck and shoulder.
  3. Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds, and then slowly turn your head forward again.
  4. Repeat on your left side. Do up to 10 sets.

Should I sleep without a pillow if my neck hurts?

While research is limited, anecdotal reports show that sleeping without a

pillow can help reduce neck and back pain for some sleepers

. Stomach sleepers are generally best suited for going pillowless, because the lower angle of the neck encourages better spinal alignment in this position.

How do you relieve neck pain fast?

  1. Apply heat or ice to the painful area. …
  2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  3. Keep moving, but avoid jerking or painful activities. …
  4. Do slow range-of-motion exercises, up and down, side to side, and from ear to ear.

What is the best sleeping position for neck and shoulder pain?


Side and back sleeping

are the two most soothing sleeping positions, while you should avoid stomach sleeping because it causes stiffness and strains. Additional pillows and cushioning further promote pain relief by protecting your neck and shoulders, but aren't required to sleep comfortably.

Which is better for neck pain heat or ice?

Generally, the recommendation is to use

ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after an

injury to reduce swelling, followed by heat to loosen muscles and improve stiffness.

Which pillow is best for neck pain?

  • Best Overall – Layla Kapok Pillow.
  • Best Value – GhostBed GhostPillow – Faux Down.
  • Most Comfortable – Saatva Latex Pillow.
  • Best for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow.
  • Best Pressure Relief – Amerisleep Comfort Classic Pillow.
  • Softest – Cozy Earth Silk Pillow.

How long will stiff neck last?

When you have a stiff neck, the soreness and restricted range of motion can make routine activities difficult. Symptoms typically last

from just a day or two to a couple of weeks

, and may be accompanied by a headache, , and/or pain that radiates down your arm.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.