Neck pain on the rise among youngsters

The human body is designed to maintain an erect posture. Sleep on your back on a firm mattress and use a small pillow or a cervical pillow. Never sleep in a sitting position or any other compromised position especially when travelling.

- Dr Arun Oommen

People complaining of neck pain are an increasing tribe nowadays. The reason for the increase in neck pain is mainly due to the recent changes in lifestyle especially among the newer generation. Bad posturing and sedentary lifestyles are the main culprits. Spending too much time with a mobile, laptop or any electronic equipment with the neck in a bent posture causes so much strain on the neck muscles and leads to spasms (text neck syndrome). Trying to relieve the spasm causes excess strain on the spine. This repeated activity will accelerate spine degeneration (Cervical spondylitis). The same is the case with people spending too much time driving with the neck in a fixed position. Also, sleeping on a soft sponge mattress, large pillow or sleeping in the sitting position or any awkward posture (especially in a moving vehicle) can cause excess neck strain and pain.