Neck pain has become a very common medical problem. Common causes include sedentary lifestyles, poor posture and sitting hunched over for hours at a time. There are certain simple exercises that can be done that will help to alleviate neck pain.

The human body was designed to have a slight anterior curve in the cervical spine which places the head squarely between the shoulders. This curve can become altered due to continuous poor posture. When the vertebrae come out of alignment, strain is placed on the nerves and pain is the result.

You may not be able to avoid sitting hunched over a desk, work bench or computer, especially when it is a requirement of your job. However, there are exercises that will help to counter-act the effects of prolonged poor posture. By forming the habit of regularly stopping and spending a few minutes stretching, you will help to avoid and alleviate the effects.

After 20 to 30 minutes of work, just take a few minutes to do one exercise. Every hour or two, stand up and walk around for a couple of minutes to stretch out your back, shoulders and legs. A great back stretch is achieved by touching your toes, with knees an little bent, and holding it for a count of ten.

The simplest stretch you can do is to sit upright in your chair with both feet flat on the floor, hands on your thighs and your back in contact with the back of your chair. Now, push your belly button back towards your spine at the same time as you stretch the back of your neck by pulling your chin in and down. Gently pull your shoulders down and back as well. You will feel a stretch along the back of the cervical spine, across your shoulder blades and down towards your waist. Hold for the count of 5 and relax. Repeat 5 times and then return to work