If you've started suffering intermittent neck pain, yet you don't remember doing anything that could have caused the pain, that doesn't necessarily mean you have something strange going on that could become a life-altering problem. Obviously something is causing your neck to ache, but it could be something that's very easy to take care of. In fact, these three possible causes are very common and take only an alteration of habits to stop the pain.

Technology

Your smartphone, tablet, e-reader, and any other handheld device can be a major cause of neck pain due to how you hold your head when using the devices. Too many times you'll find your head facing down and your neck curved so that you can look at the device in your hand, when really you need to hold the device up so you can keep your head up at a more comfortable angle. Hold the device closer to your face so that you don't have to crane your neck so much; if the screen becomes more of a figurative pain to read when you hold the device closer, talk to an optometrist about getting computer glasses.

Gum

Obviously your neck and head aren't isolated from each other, and what happens to one can affect the other -- even if what's happening is voluntary and seems innocent. Chewing gum is one of these situations. While you might not experience jaw pain, and while the gum may seem tasty, the continued up-and-down motion of your jaw can create stress and muscle tension that runs into your neck and creates pain there.

Try avoiding gum for a few days and see if your neck pain goes away. If it does, you may have to cut back on the amount of gum you chew, or even stop chewing gum altogether. It will take some experimenting to find the right balance for you.

Packrat Tendencies

It's no secret that carrying a heavy bag or backpack can cause back pain, but it can cause neck pain as well. The solution is two-fold, and both options are simple: reduce what you carry or switch to a rolling bag. You have to reduce the weight that's being placed on your shoulders if you want to reduce the pain you're experiencing in your neck. Go through everything in the bag and keep only those items that really are necessary. See if there are lighter versions of what you want to carry, too, such as smaller notepads or lighter keychains.

If you're still having issues with neck pain, see a doctor who specializes in the neck, back, and shoulder areas such as http://swfna.com. You can find the cause of your pain and make it better.

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