January 16, 2018 – With the increasing amount of time we spend at computers or bent over looking at our phones, is it any wonder that more people are experiencing neck pain than ever before? Statistics show that almost 85% of the population suffers from temporary or chronic neck pain! And—what’s worse—almost 60% of us keep it to ourselves, and don’t seek out any way to relieve the hurt.

Well, here’s the good news: Most of the things that will help alleviate pain are not hard to do. And, if you have a hot tub, it could be even easier.

One of the simplest ways to help minimize neck pain is by trying to stand and sit up straight. Harder than you might think—a lot of us sit at our desks and pay no attention to how we position ourselves. If you haven’t done so, be sure you have a chair with good ergonomics to support proper posture. And, make sure your computer screen is at a height that allows you to look at it directly in front of you vs. forcing you to look slightly down. That will alleviate a lot of neck stress.

Next, applying heat or cold will help relieve pain and neck stress. Here’s where the hot tub is your friend! Taking a 20-30 minute soak in the hot tub will not only give you the heat needed, it will also afford you the opportunity to use jets to help relax tight neck muscles and increase circulation. In a Hot Spring Spa, the precision jets are designed for exactly this purpose. Once you finish your soak, it’s the perfect time to use an ice pack or cold compress to apply to your neck for the cold piece of the hot/cold therapy equation.

Finally, doing neck stretches are also beneficial. When you are in the hot tub, it’s certainly not a bad idea to do some good stretches while you have the heat and hot water helping you along. Tilt your head from left to right, keeping that position for about 20 seconds per side. Then, place your hand on top of your head and move your head side to side. Do all stretches gradually—quick execution of movements when you have neck pain could lead to a muscle tear or ligament issues, defeating the purpose altogether.

Finally, if you do find yourself experiencing chronic neck pain and the above tips don’t offer some relief, do visit a healthcare professional that can offer additional assistance. They may recommend some extra options to get you pain free.