Monthly Archives: September 2017

It seems that pain comes with aging. As I was approaching my 45th birthday, I experienced pain on my neck. At first, it was just a slight throb but when then started to give me sleepless nights and interfered with my work, I began to worry. But then I reminded myself this could not be life-threatening. Actually, there were no visible signs of what was causing the problem. Since there were days that my neck did not bother me, I considered it just part of my getting old.

Trial and Error Solutions

Thinking that rubbing liniment on my neck can cause the pain, I tried all kinds with the hope of getting relief. I even resorted to herbal medicine but to no avail. Even massaging the area had no effect anymore. During the last months that I was searching for a cure for my neck pain, I could no longer count with my fingers the oils and liniments I used and the pills supposed to give pain relief. But there was never a long-lasting cure. I get a few nights of uninterrupted sleep but not for weeks or months.

A Twist of Fate

One day, I visited a friend in Footscray, Victoria for a few days. On my second day with her, she asked me why she caught me several times moving my neck from side to side. I told her about my neck pain. She then told me about the Physio in Footscray and how it specializes in dealing with body pains, including neck pains. I was a little bit skeptical about going to a physiotherapist. I never had any injury on my neck that I could remember. I believe this was just an ordinary pain. Besides, I have this belief that therapy programs are expensive and several sessions are needed before one can get results. But my friend would not listen to my excuses. In the end, I found myself sitting in the waiting room of Footscray Clinic.

The Truth About My Neck

When I was called to the examination room, I was confident that there is nothing serious with my affliction. The doctor asked a lot of questions about previous injuries and about my job. I told him that I am a writer and I usually spend my waking hours in front of my computer. The doctor’s eyes lit up but when I told him I have been writing for almost half of my 45 years on earth, he looked worried. He told me that actually, I am suffering from a Tech Neck, or neck pain caused by maintaining a certain position while staring on one’s mobile phone screen or on the monitor of one’s computer.

Unbelievable But True

The doctor explained to me that looking down on my computer’s monitor might have caused the pain. According to him, as I strain my neck to look down on my computer screen. The unnatural angle I adapted can strain the muscles and give me pain. I realized what he said was true with regards to my looking down on my screen for long periods. I usually work for hours without taking a break because doing so might disrupt my train of thought and I would forget what to write next. I had been doing this for years but why is it that I got the problem just several months ago?

The doctor explained that this prolonged position has affected my cervical spine or neck. It might have curved down after long years of looking down and because of this, it might be difficult to remedy. The pain will become more intense as days pass by.

What I Must Do

The doctor advised me to undergo therapy at the clinic. I told him I’ll think it over first. I did some research on the danger of having tech neck for long and the prospect seems grim. If left untreated, it can result to shrinking of the discs on the spine. When space is almost closed, the pressure causes the pain. Other signs of this condition are the pain on the shoulders, headache, and painful and trembling hands. 

A Decision Made

I spent the remaining days of my visit with my friend thinking about what the doctor said. I realized that I was not prepared for a lifetime of pain so the next day, I talked it over with my friend. Well, I never had a real vacation all my working life because wherever I go, I always have my laptop with me. Maybe this is the time for me to have the rest I denied myself for so many years.

The doctor told me that because my case is not yet advanced, it might take fewer therapy sessions to remedy it. True to his word, the pain was almost gone after a few weeks. Now I bought a laptop table and chair that gives me a good view of the screen without looking down. Indeed, that visit to Footscray, Victoria, was a blessing.