A Pain in the Neck is more common than you think.

Upper back and neck pain are common companions. The pain is debilitating as it affects not only your physical wellbeing it also creates emotional stress. Statistics show that over 80% of adults are affected by back pain.

What statistics do not tell you is ... upper back pain and neck pain are far less tolerated.

The reason is simple enough. When these areas tighten up to the point of causing pain - they can affect your ability to think clearly, to be motivated and to concentrate. These areas also lead into upper back pain headaches, as the muscles in this area refer to the head region.

Upper back and neck pain is probably one of the most debilitating types of back pain. Read on to find out why it happens, the solutions and the first vital step to get long lasting relief.

Why do you get both upper back and neck pain?

The answer lies in the structural joints. The head is supported by both the neck and upper back. The top third of your neck creates the majority of movement of your head. The lower two thirds of the neck and the upper back support the movement and create stability to the area.

The lower neck and upper back are still required for movement; it is just that the majority comes from the upper third.

Due to the supportive nature of the neck and upper back, any disruption in this area creates numerous effects:

• upper back pain is common

• neck pain occurs also

• upper back pain headaches are common

• lower back pain may occur (as the upper back and lower back work together for movement)

• shoulder and upper back pain can occur

The upper back and neck are involved in many activities. The muscles in the area are used when you lift and carry objects. The muscles are also a common target for stress, fatigue and coughs/colds.

Once this area is disrupted, pain can be severe and widespread.

The reason you get both upper back and neck pain is that these areas work together. They are used to move the head, to support your shoulder and arm movement. The upper back works with the lower back when you walk, note how arms move when you walk as much as your legs do. So the upper back and neck are constantly worked.

The problem is the joints are smaller than the lower back. Hence they do not tolerate physical or emotional stress well. The muscles that support the joints are also smaller and will therefore tighten quicker and greater than that in the lower back.

This is why you are not alone in your pain. Upper back and neck pain is becoming common as this is an area targeted by physical, emotional and general stresses of day to day life.

Your solutions to upper back and neck pain

Knowing why pain occurs is not as important as knowing how to stop and prevent upper back and neck pain.

As this is a complex area, you need to target not just the area, but also areas involved. In any upper back and neck problem, you need to balance the lower back and the upper back and neck.

The muscles in the upper back and neck region need to be released and strengthened. Strengthening is essential to create stamina and endurance to help prevent recurrences of pain. Strength does not mean going to the gym, but improving blood and nerve supply. This way the muscles have a greater capacity for work and hence become more supportive to the region.

The joints in the upper back, neck and lower back need to be balanced. The entire spine works together. Missing the lower back distortions will ultimately lead to upper back and neck pain returning. Balancing the spine requires re-alignment using techniques at home to train the spine to get in balance and stay that way.

Removing pain is simple and easy, getting long term relief requires you to remove ALL the causes. There is one vital step to do first...