Today, sitting for a long time in the office or car is very common. Independent, whether you are working on a computer or driving a truck – at the end of a working day, tensions in the shoulder, neck and back are likely to be your companion. Often in the shoulder, neck or back. The muscles are hardened and the pain often radiates into other parts of the body. Head ache is a frequent companion, too.
Causes for tensions in the shoulder, neck and back
A persistent one-sided strain is followed by consistent tension of the muscles resp. muscle group; this leads to a decreased circulation of the musculature, the muscle flexes and hardens. Pains arise. Besides a one-sided body posture, the following also might lead to tensions:
- sports injuries
- age-related degradation
- unaccustomed movement
- draft
- static complaints (e.g. lordotic curved back, flat foot and pes valgus)
- mental reasons (stress)
Muscular tensions and tensions in the back often bring the sensations of dull and deep pain. The pain intensity arises through movement. Often, the pains radiate into other body parts like arms, for example.
Avoid chronic back pain
Pain often leads to a poor resp. relieving posture that lead to further tensions. If the arising nerve stimulations and pain exist for a longer period it may lead to pain memory and chronic back pain.
What is a pain memory?
If you suffer under non-treated pain for some time your body develops a so-called pain memory. That means, the pain impulses sent to our brain constantly affect the nerve tracts. Due to the permanent stimulation, our nerve cells become more and more sensitive and the pain constantly grows.
Help and prevention
In case you already suffer under tensions, massages, warmth and physiotherapy are very helpful. Prevent tensions with:
- varied sports and movement (e.g. regular walks, soft jogging)
- relaxation exercises
- an ergonomic working place
- regular movement and stretching at the working place
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