The Modern Neck Pain Epidemic

Why Everyone in Aberdeen Seems to Have Neck Pain (And What to Do About It)

Have you noticed how often people rub their necks, roll their shoulders, or complain about stiffness? Neck pain has become so common that it’s almost normalized—but that doesn’t mean it’s normal or that you should simply accept it.

At Aberdeen Chiropractic Clinic, we’ve seen a noticeable shift in the types of neck problems presenting in our clinic, and much of it relates to how we live and work in our modern world.

The Digital Dilemma

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: our devices. Whether it’s your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, these tools have fundamentally changed how we hold our bodies. When you look down at your phone, your head—which weighs about the same as a bowling ball—shifts forward. For every inch your head moves forward, it effectively doubles the weight your neck muscles must support.

Imagine carrying a bowling ball around all day. That’s essentially what your neck is doing when you’re constantly looking down. Is it any wonder you’re uncomfortable?

We see this particularly in younger patients who’ve grown up with technology. Parents bring their teenagers to us, concerned about their posture and the neck pain they’re experiencing at such a young age. These aren’t injuries from sports or accidents—they’re the result of hours spent gaming, studying on laptops, and scrolling through social media.

The Working-From-Home Factor

The shift to home working has been liberating for many people in Aberdeen, but it’s also created a whole new set of challenges for neck health. Your home wasn’t designed as an office, and that makeshift desk setup might be creating problems you won’t feel for months or even years.

We’ve had patients working from bed, from sofas, from kitchen counters—anywhere but a properly ergonomic workspace. Your laptop screen is too low, your keyboard is too high, your chair doesn’t support you properly, and your neck is paying the price.

The solution isn’t always expensive. Sometimes it’s as simple as using books to raise your screen to eye level, setting reminders to move every 30 minutes, or doing a few simple stretches throughout the day.

Stress Lives in Your Neck

Here’s something we notice time and again: stress and neck tension go hand in hand. When you’re stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, where do you hold that tension? For most people, it’s in their neck and shoulders. You might not even realize you’re doing it until the pain sets in.

At Aberdeen Chiropractic Clinic, we take this mind-body connection seriously. We don’t just adjust your spine and send you on your way. We talk about what’s happening in your life, help you recognize patterns, and provide strategies for releasing tension before it becomes chronic pain.

Small Changes, Big Difference

The beautiful thing about neck pain is that it often responds remarkably well to simple interventions. You don’t necessarily need dramatic treatment or invasive procedures. Sometimes what you need is:

Someone to properly assess what’s not moving correctly in your neck and gently restore that movement. Practical guidance on setting up your workspace properly. A few targeted exercises that strengthen the right muscles. Better awareness of your posture throughout the day. Reassurance that your neck pain isn’t permanent and that you can feel better.

Moving Forward Comfortably

If you’re currently dealing with neck pain, we encourage you to see it as your body asking for help rather than something to just push through or ignore. The sooner you address it, the easier it typically is to resolve.

At our Aberdeen clinic, we’ve helped countless patients rediscover what it feels like to turn their head freely, work comfortably at their desk, and wake up without stiffness. We’d love to do the same for you.

Remember: neck pain might be common, but it’s not something you have to accept as part of your life. There are gentle, natural approaches that can help you feel comfortable in your body again—and we’re here to guide you through them.