Causes of Neck and Shoulder Pain

Neck and shoulder pain causes are many. Problems with the neck joint and nerve injury can refer pain to these areas in certain patterns, as we have seen.

The most common complaints of chronic neck pain and shoulder pain I have seen is caused by strain in 2 particular muscles which connect the neck and shoulder. The first muscle is the levator scapula which uses the neck as a base to raise the shoulder from the back.

The other muscle which commonly causes neck and shoulder pain is the Trapezius. This is a complex muscle often called "The Coat Hanger" which can also cause pain into the head and at the base of the skull.

Common causes are from stress of constant chronic elevation of the shoulders as in holding a phone without proper elbow support or sitting in a chair without proper armrests. Other causes are injury to the joints from a side to side force and long term or chronic compression of the muscle as with tight bra straps or a heavy coat that does not fit right. Other less common causes are skeletal variations such as a short leg, pelvis or arms.

Computer Headaches

Do you sit at a computer for extended periods? Do you get migraine headaches, tension headaches or neck pain? Can computers be the cause of your headaches?

Has it ever occurred to you that while you are happily typing away on your computer for hours on end you are actually creating a problem in your neck that can lead to chronic neck pain and headaches?

The types of activities that can lead to poor neck posture include sitting at a computer for extended periods of time, reading with the head bent forward, sitting while slouching in a chair or on a couch, sleeping with the head or neck in odd positions, or any other activity that places the head in a position forward to the body. So, to answer our original question, yes, headaches and neck pain can be caused by sitting at a computer.

Relieving Neck Pain

Neck pain can occur from postural strain due to faulty sitting posture or excessive desk or computer work. Most neck pain has a postural or mechanical basis, however, the causative factors are often poorly understood and are usually multifactorial, including anxiety, depression, neck strain, sporting or occupational activities and neck pain is common after whiplash injury.

Difficulty in relieving neck pain is also associated with poor psychological health, worrying, and becoming angry or frustrated in response to neck pain. Greater optimism, a coping style that involves self-assurance, and having less need to socialize, are associated with better prognosis.

Suffering from Fibromyalgia?

Women tend to be affected with fibromyalgia more than men, with the onset of symptoms in the 20's and 30's. Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed lending to its chronic nature, unnecessary medical treatment and emotional distress and frustration.

Predisposing factors for fibromyalgia have been postulated to be physical trauma, psychological stress, history of abuse and genetic.

Some conditions which can co-exist or be confused with fibromyalgia are hypothyroidism, myopathy, rheumatic disease, nutrient dificiencies, sleep disorders and mental conditions.

Serotonin receptors are more abundant in the intestinal tract than in the brain - one reason people get "butterflies" in their stomach when they get nervous. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, taking 300mg of 5HTP 100mg three times a day along with a good optimal daily allowance multivitamin with magnesium would be a good supplement to try.

Other supplements which may benefit Fibromyalgia are: S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), An amino acid found in green tea (L-theanine) and 5HTP.

Deep Breathing for Neck Pain Relief

Improper breathing techniques may be a source of neck pain. This causes overload of the muscles in the front of the neck called the scalene muscles. The problem is with the muscles but the pain may still be felt in the shoulder and even down the arm to the hand. Breathing through the chest only can cause an increase in blood pressure and lower volume of air in the lungs causing the neck muscles to lift the ribcage and assist.

Proper Deep Breathing can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and help in neck pain relief.