Primal movement to ease tech neck

Tech neck

If you work at a desk for most of the day, you’ve probably experienced this pain known as tech neck. It can lead to pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent tech neck from occurring or worsening.

These include movement, taking regular breaks to focus on breathing and body awareness, massage and the use of a natural gel to soothe the tense areas.

Posture

We should be mindful of our posture throughout the day and the way we hold our devices. Instead of crouching over, we should hold or set our phone at eye level (which is good for arm muscles), and when we’re at a computer, position our screen high enough so we can look straight out at it, rather than down. The spine should be in one straight line from the top of the head to the tailbone.

To get it right, we need to hold our head over our spine, rather than letting it drop forward.

Movement is key

Movement is an important part of our daily lives, and it can help us reduce physical discomfort. It has us staying active and healthy, as well as improving our posture and reducing the risk of injury. In 2023, we will see more and more people swap their screens for stretches and use their desks for hip dips.

These movements are inspired by primitive anti-tech workouts. Leading this trend are Gen X and millennials. In some way, primal movement is fitness going back to basics. It’s a form of exercise that focuses on the natural movements of the body. It is based on the idea that our bodies are designed to move in certain ways, and by doing so, we can improve our overall health and wellbeing.

The development of fundamental movement is the foundation that leads to effective functional movement. This foundation is often neglected in the approaches we take to enhance function and/or performance through exercise programming.

Primal movement exercises involve using your own body weight to perform exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, and pull-ups. These exercises help to strengthen muscles and joints while also improving balance and coordination. By engaging in primal movement exercises regularly, you can improve your physical fitness levels while also reducing stress levels.

A primitive movement routine features primal movement patterns, such as gait in jogging, running, or walking, along with pulling by using the water rower. It’s all about how we bend, rotate, push, pull, and walk in the most intuitive way. In short, primal movement encourages moving away from the sedentary life we’ve become accustomed to by practicing fundamental movements the way our ancestors did to improve our physical function.

Standing desk

Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular in the workplace as they offer a range of health benefits. They can help to reduce back pain, improve posture, and increase productivity. Standing desks also provide an ergonomic solution for those who spend long hours at their desk. With a standing desk, you can easily adjust the height to suit your needs and find the perfect position for working comfortably.

Limiting screen time

In today's digital world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to limit our screen time after work hours. With the rise of smartphones and other devices, it is easy to get sucked into the digital world and forget about taking a break from screens. However, limiting screen time after work hours can be beneficial for both our physical and mental health. It can help us relax and recharge after a long day of work, as well as reduce stress levels. It can also help us focus on activities that are more meaningful than just scrolling through social media or watching TV. By setting boundaries around our screen time after work hours, we can make sure that we are taking care of ourselves in the best way possible.

Getting adjusted

If you experience pain and it keeps lingering, maybe seeking professional help can reduce pain and address structural issues that tech neck creates with time. Chiropractic care and osteopathy are one of the nonpharmacological therapies available and which are considered effective for chronic neck and back pain.

Massage

Massaging a stiff neck is usually a natural response we do when we feel pain. It can have a positive impact on relieving some tension and pain. And as some muscles become overworked as you look at screens, others might not fire at all. With time, certain muscles can atrophy when you bend or hunch forward and look at a screen, and massage can help reawaken them. Add to that a topical gel like the Arnica gel by A.vogel for some added benefits and pain relief! It is a clinically proven anti-inflammatory gel made from fresh arnica flowers.