Why Neck Pain During Pregnancy Occurs and How to Alleviate It

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey, filled with excitement, happiness, and physical changes. While the joy of expecting a child is immense, the physical discomforts that accompany pregnancy can sometimes overshadow this happiness. Among these discomforts, neck pain is a common issue that many pregnant women experience. Understanding the causes of neck pain during pregnancy and learning how to alleviate it can significantly improve your comfort and overall well-being during this special time. To know more about this information read the whole blog which is going to explain those in detail in an understandable manner.

Causes of Neck Pain during Pregnancy:

Hormonal Changes:

During Pregnancy, Your body undergoes major hormonal changes particularly hormonal release called progesterone and relaxing. These hormones help to loosen the ligaments and joints in the pelvis regions to prepare your body for childbirth. However, it also affects other joints including the neck. This increased flexibility can lead to discomfort and neck pain during pregnancy.

Postural Changes:

As the belly grows, pregnant women often experience back and neck pain. A major contributing factor to this discomfort is poor posture, such as hunching over a phone or while working at a desk.

Weight Gain: 

The natural weight gain during pregnancy, while essential for the baby’s development, also puts additional pressure on the spine. The increased weight can cause muscles, especially in the neck and back, to work harder to support the body, leading to fatigue and pain.

Sleep Discomfort: 

As pregnancy progresses, finding a comfortable sleeping position becomes more challenging. Many pregnant women find themselves sleeping in positions that strain the neck, such as lying on the back with inadequate support. Poor sleep posture can contribute to morning neck stiffness and pain.

Effective Ways to Alleviate Neck Pain:

Prenatal Exercises and stretches:

Engaging in regular gentle exercise can strengthen your neck muscles and reduce pain. some effective exercises include:

  • Slowly tilt your head towards your shoulders, holding for a few seconds on each side.
  • Gently pull your chin towards your chest, holding for a few seconds before releasing.
  • Roll your shoulders backward and forward to relieve tension.

Techniques for Stress Management:

Effective stress management throughout pregnancy can ease neck pain and ease tense muscles. Think about implementing relaxing methods like:

  • Prenatal yoga: Encourages relaxation while strengthening and extending the body.
  • Stress reduction and mental calmness are the main goals of meditation.
  • Practices including deep breathing can help release tension in the shoulders and neck.
  • It’s important to prioritize your mental health and take some time to relax during pregnancy.

Therapy with Heat and Cold:

Neck discomfort can be effectively relieved with hot and cold therapy. This is how to apply them:

  • Cold Compress: To ease discomfort and reduce inflammation, place a cold compress on the neck for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Hot Compress: To relieve tight muscles after the acute inflammation goes down, use a warm compress or take a warm shower.

To prevent burns or frostbite, always place a towel between the compress and your skin.

Final thought:

Although many women suffer neck pain during pregnancy, it doesn’t have to be an essential part of the experience. Pregnancy can be more comfortable and healthful if you are aware of the reasons for neck pain and take steps to reduce it. Never forget how crucial it is to put self-care first and ask for help when you need it. 

Do not be afraid to seek advice and direction from your healthcare provider in neck pain treatment in Bangalore if you are experiencing neck pain during pregnancy. Being proactive in managing and preventing pain can have a big impact on how your pregnancy goes. Neck pain treatment at Bangalore hospitals, such as Neurowellness, can help alleviate your pain.

If you’re seeking the best neck pain treatment in Bangalore, contact Neurowellness for personalized care and attention.

Cervical Collar: Types, Uses & When You Need One

Cervical Collar for Neck Pain – Expert Support at Neurowellness

Cervical collars, commonly referred to as neck braces, are essential tools used to support the neck and spinal cord—especially during recovery from injuries, trauma, or surgeries. Whether it’s a soft cervical collar for spondylosis or a hard collar for post-surgery support, these devices help immobilize the neck, reduce strain, and accelerate healing.

If you’re suffering from chronic pain or recovering from a neck injury, consult Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah, the Best Neck Pain Specialist in Bangalore, for the right cervical collar and treatment plan.

Struggling with Neck Pain? Call Now to Consult Bangalore’s Leading Neuro Surgeon

Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah

Consultant – Neurosurgeon, Neurointerventional Surgery, Spine Surgeon (Neuro)
23+ Years Experience Overall (17+ years as Neuro Specialist)

Available for Consultation: Jayanagar 9th Block & Kauvery Hospital, Electronic City 

When to Wear a Cervical Collar

A cervical collar for neck pain is typically prescribed in the following conditions:
 
● Whiplash & Trauma:
After accidents or falls, a cervical collar protects the neck and prevents further damage.

Post-Neck Surgery: A hard cervical collar restricts movement, allowing tissues to heal without strain.

Cervical Spondylosis: Age-related degeneration causes pain and stiffness, which a soft collar can temporarily relieve.

Nerve Compression & Cervical Radiculopathy: Collars ease discomfort by stabilizing the neck and reducing nerve pressure.

General Neck Pain: For muscle strain or tension, short-term collar use can aid recovery.

Types of Cervical Collars – Soft vs Hard

Choosing the right cervical collar depends on your condition and the doctor’s recommendation:

Soft Cervical

1. Collar for Spondylosis

Made of foam or inflatable materials, ideal for mild injuries and cervical spondylosis pain relief.

2. Hard Cervical Collar Use

Rigid plastic braces used after surgery or for severe trauma, ensuring complete immobilization.

3. Pediatric Cervical Collars

Designed for children with smaller, sensitive neck structures.

4. Sport Collars

High-impact protective gear for sports like racing or motocross.

4. Cervical Orthosis / Neck Support Belts

Advanced support systems used for long-term, chronic neck issues.

Cervical Collar for Cervical Spondylosis – Effective Support

Cervical spondylosis is an age-related condition that affects the discs and vertebrae of your neck. A cervical collar for cervical spondylosis can:

● Provide relief by limiting neck movement

● Reduce pressure on nerves

● Support posture correction

● Complement physiotherapy or medication

Tips to Wear a Cervical Collar By Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah

1. Keep moving lightly – walking prevents stiffness.

2. Ensure a snug fit—too tight causes irritation, too loose provides no support.

3.Avoid soft chairs that worsen posture.

4. Don’t lift heavy objects or do high-impact exercises.

5. Wear as advised—don’t overuse unless instructed by your doctor.

Conclusion

Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing cervical spondylosis, or experiencing persistent neck pain, using the right cervical collar can make a significant difference in your healing journey. At Neurowellness, we combine expert care, advanced medical devices, and personalized support to ensure the best outcomes.

Led by Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah, a highly experienced neuro surgeon in Bangalore, our team offers specialized diagnosis and treatment for neck-related conditions. From selecting the appropriate collar to post-treatment rehabilitation, you’re in the best hands.

While cervical collars can relieve pain temporarily, they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis.
If you’re experiencing persistent neck pain, tingling in arms, or recovering from surgery, it’s essential to consult a qualified spine specialist in Bangalore.
Book a consultation with Dr. Ganesh now

FAQs:

1.What is a cervical collar, and when is it used?

A cervical collar supports the neck and spinal cord, especially after injuries or in conditions like cervical spondylosis or post-surgery recovery.

2.Can wearing a cervical collar relieve neck pain?

Yes, it reduces muscle strain and helps manage severe pain under medical supervision.

3.What are the types of cervical collars?

Soft, rigid, pediatric, sport collars, and cervical orthosis depending on severity and condition.

4.How long should I wear a cervical collar?

Usually under 10 days for whiplash. Longer durations are prescribed post-surgery or trauma.

5. Where can I get expert treatment for neck pain in Bangalore?

Visit Neurowellness and consult Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah, the top-rated Neck Pain Specialist in Bangalore.

What is ‘text neck’ -symptoms and signs? 

Text Neck: Signs & Symptoms 

Worldwide, the use of cell phones is estimated to be 6 billion, with the current population at 7.5 billion, it means about 7 among 10 use a cell phone, youngsters being more into their use, with compulsive checking every 10min, using late nights and immediately on waking up being highly common. In a day the cumulative time spent on scrolling and typing is reportedly about 3 hours, which can go up to 8 or 10 hours on free days(no school/work).

text neck

Bending head to 15 degrees needs about 10kg of weight to be counterbalanced by the muscles of the neck, upper back, and shoulders,  while at 30 to 45 degrees, the common angulations needed to do texting activity causes stress of about 17- 23 kg, repetitively, injuring to muscles and joints of the spine in the neck, upper back, and shoulders.

What is Text Neck – 

Text Neck is a term used to describe the pain caused by texting that begins in the neck and upper back.

Text Neck is a developing issue on the grounds that countless individuals, including kids, are constantly using smartphones, iPads, handheld computers, and video games.

Text Neck Treatment & Prevention – 

Raise the phone – 

Raise the phone. Move the phone, tablets, ipads, etc… up to eye level so the head does not need to be shifted forward or the neck needs to be bent forward

Take Regular Breaks – 

Avoid using your phone for some time. Try any type of head-forward posture.  If necessary, use an alert or application to set automatic reminders to take breaks from handheld gadgets.

Stand up straight –

Correct posture, with the chin, raised up and shoulders pulled back, keeps the body adjusted in a neutral position.

Work-out routinely. A solid, flexible back and neck are more ready to handle additional stress.

Some research demonstrates that youngsters who are dynamic in low-impact team activities or high-intensity sports are less likely to have neck pain.

How long does it take to heal from Text Neck? 

Text neck can be cured. Recovery generally takes around four to eight weeks yet requires continued self-awareness.

However, the healing time can change significantly depending on the severity of your condition and the consistency of your treatment plan.

Dr. Ganesh Explains Text Neck – Causes, Symptoms & Recovery Tips

With the increasing use of smartphones and screens, Text Neck is becoming a modern health concern. But what exactly is it—and how do you know if you have it?

In this expert video, Dr. Ganesh Veerabhadraiah, one of Bangalore’s leading neurosurgeons, breaks down the condition in simple terms. With 20+ years of experience in spine and neurological care, Dr. Ganesh is widely respected for his expertise in treating posture-related spinal issues like Text Neck

You’ll Learn in This Video:

  • What causes Text Neck and how screen habits affect your spine

  • Early signs and symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

  • Simple techniques to reduce strain and improve posture

Tap the video below to watch now:

FAQs:

1.What is Text Neck?

Text Neck is a modern condition caused by prolonged bending of the neck while looking at mobile devices, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and spinal misalignment.

2. What are the early symptoms of Text Neck?

Common symptoms include neck stiffness, shoulder tightness, headaches, and upper back pain—especially after extended screen use.

3. Can Text Neck lead to long-term damage?

Yes. If untreated, it can cause disc degeneration, pinched nerves, or chronic posture issues over time.

4. How can I prevent or treat Text Neck?

Limit screen time, maintain upright posture, do regular neck stretches, and seek guidance from a spine specialist if symptoms persist.

Tips to prevent back pain at work

If you work in an office and sit for the majority of the day, you’re probably familiar with back pain. Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day can cause stiffness and tension, which can make working difficult. You may be at an even higher risk of developing back pain if your job requires you to twist or bend frequently. Between 50 and 80 percent of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives, and about 20 percent of adults will experience back pain in a single year.

Back pain can range from a sharp, sudden pain caused by twisting or moving suddenly to a constant, dull ache that develops over time. Back pain can be acute, lasting a few days to weeks or chronic lasting a months to year or more. Lower back pain is usually only temporary and will go away on its own with or without proper self-care. However, approximately few people who suffer from acute back pain can develop chronic back pain.

Back pain, whether dull and achy or sharp and stabbing, can make it difficult to focus on your work. Unfortunately, many jobs, such as nursing, construction, and factory work, put a lot of strain on your back. Back pain can be caused or exacerbated by even routine office work. Learn about the causes of back pain at work and how to avoid it.

Common office related problems are –

  1. Back pain
  2. Neck pain
  3. Leg pain
  4. Numbness in the hands
  5. Headache
  6. Blurring of vision
  7. Dryness in the eyes
  8. Muscle soreness and pain due to pressure  after pronged sitting in one position

Protect your Staff:

The employer must:

  • Wherever possible, avoid work activities that can cause back pain.
  • If you can’t avoid the activity, evaluate it to see what you can do to reduce the risk of back pain.
  • Implement the control measures you’ve identified, and make sure they’re working by monitoring and reviewing them.
  • Consult your employees and, if they have any health and safety concerns, address them.

Common causes of back pain:

Back pain at work can be caused by a variety of factors. Consider the following scenario:

  • Force – Lifting or moving heavy objects with too much force on your back can result in injury.
  • Repetition – Certain movements, particularly those that involve twisting or rotating your spine, can injure your back if you do them repeatedly.
  • Inactivity – Back pain can be caused by an inactive job or a desk job, especially if you have poor posture or sit all day in a chair with insufficient back support.
  • A person’s bad lifestyle also affects back pain; poor diet, unhealthy habits (smoking, drinking) and so on.

Tips to prevent back pain at work:

Tips to prevent back pain at work:

1. Create an ergonomic workspace

Tips to prevent back pain at work

Employees can reach everything they need in an ergonomic workspace without straining. By adjusting the height of desks, chairs, and monitors, proper office ergonomics promote good posture. Here are a few pointers on how to set up an ergonomic workspace:

  • Place the computer monitor at eye level in order to avoid tilting your head or leaning forward.
  • Position frequently used items within your arm’s reach to avoid moving or stretching your hand.
  • Adjust the brightness of the monitor in which your eyes feel comfortable and non-straining.
  • Adjust the height of your chair and desk

2. Choose the right office chair

  • Adjustable height: Choose a desk chair with a height adjustment so that your elbows are at a comfortable angle with your desk.
  • Adjustable backrest: When sitting with your back against the backrest and your calves against the front of the chair, there should be 2 to 4 inches between your calves and the front of the chair if your desk chair has an appropriate seat depth. Choose an office chair with the appropriate seat depth or a backrest that can be adjusted.
  • Adjustable armrests
  • Comfortable material

3. Practise good posture

  • Maintain a straight line between your shoulders and your head.
  • Keep your back against the chair’s backrest.
  • Maintain a square relationship with your computer screen by keeping your shoulders back.
  • By bringing your chair closer to your desk, you can keep your upper arms parallel to your spine.
  • Do not cross your legs and keep your feet flat on the ground.
  • Maintain a 90-degree angle with your knees and, if necessary, a footrest.

4. Take frequent short breaks

Take breaks between work to stretch your body and relax, continuous work makes the body stiff and result in back pain. So this point is very essential.

5. Choose comfortable shoes

 For work, always choose flat and comfortable footwears. High-heeled footwears negatively affect the spine and the body, also back pain arises by wearing these for a long time. Flats help in back comfort.

Summary –

Tips to prevent these office related problems

Tips to prevent these office related problems:

  1. Eye posItion-during working in front of monitor or laptop our eye level should be at the level of the monitor or slightly above the monitor.
  2. neck and shoulder should be relaxed.
  3. Elbow and shoulder should be  flexed at 70 -90 degrees at least
  4. wrist should be pronated and not flexed
  5. Our back should be supported by small pad or pillow
  6. thigh should be parallel to the ground
  7. foot should be resting flat and supported by small stool
  8. long static posture is not advisable- if you are  sitting or standing— you have to change the position-you have to get up and walk around and take micro breaks for a minute or two. At the same time you can focus your eye on distant object ,which will reduce your eye strain and prevent dryness in eyes.
  9. using adjustable rotating  chair is helpful instead of static chair.
  10. other small things like reduce the brightness /contrast  of the screen, increase in the font size and avoiding direct light source in from the the working area is avoided.

By following these steps we can work comfortably long hours and reduces the pressure over the spine and help our spine.

Find back pain relief with NeuroWellness brain and spine care

Back pain at work can range from a dull ache to severe chronic pain that interferes with daily activities. Even minor back pain can have a significant impact on your ability to focus and work in a comfortable manner. Because we recognise that pain is a complicated symptom, the specialists at Neurowellness care centre will create a pain management plan specifically for you and your back pain. The NeuroWellness care specialists provide a wide range of pain treatment options, such as therapies, medications, injections, and surgeries. Our doctors can draw on a variety of disciplines to provide you with the best back pain treatment in Bangalore and prevention options.

What you need to know about spine surgery?

Overview:

If you’ve had back pain for a long time, you might be wondering if spine surgery is your only option for relief. Surgery is sometimes actually the only option. There is, however, some good news. Non-surgical treatments, also known as non-surgical conservative therapies, can treat the vast majority of back problems.

Ageing, poor body mechanics, trauma and structural abnormalities can all cause damage to your spine, resulting in back pain as well as other symptoms like leg pain, numbness and leg weakness. Chronic back pain is a condition that is usually diagnosed and treated by a team of medical professionals especially in Neuro Wellness services centre is your best choice for  treatment of  brain and spine related problems. Consider seeking the advice of several spine specialists before deciding on surgery.

This time and effort invested in gathering information will enable you to make an informed treatment decision that will best support your lifestyle and desired level of physical activity.

What about non-surgical, conservative treatment?

Before considering surgery for any non-emergency spinal injury, a trial of non-operative treatment, such as physical therapy, pain medication, preferably an anti-inflammatory or bracing should be conducted. The duration of a conservative treatment trial varies, but it usually lasts six weeks to six months.

If non-surgical treatments such as medications and physical therapy fail to relieve symptoms, spine surgery may be recommended. Surgery is considered only in cases where the exact source of pain can be identified, such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spinal Listhesis and spinal tumour.

How can you tell if you need spine surgery?

When someone has symptoms in their extremities, they are recommended to see their primary care physician first. If a person has low back or neck pain, they should be monitored over time and encourage them to keep up with good, consistent physical activity to see if the problem goes away. If physical activity isn’t working, try an over-the-counter remedy.

Many patients with spinal issues can be treated without surgery. Prior to considering surgery, physical therapy, home exercises, medication and in some cases, spinal  epidural injections are often recommended. If the problem still persists, surgery may be a viable option.

For example, if a patient’s neurogenic pain in the extremities is severe and non-surgical treatment has failed, surgical intervention is the best option. If non-surgical treatment fails to relieve symptoms related to spinal cord or nerve root compression, such as significant weakness in an arm, leg or limb, surgery is recommended.

Spine Surgery – imaging:

X rays- will give information about the bone quality, decided dic space, slip vertebra, ,scoliosis

MRI – will show disc prolapse, spinal stenosis, spinal tumours and adjacent  structures, foraminal narrowing etc . With this surgeon can assess the requirement of surgery.

CT SCAN- clearly show bone density, soft tissue relations

DEXA SCAN shows degree of osteoporosis – so surgeon can do spine surgery if needed and start the treatment for osteoporosis simultaneously.

What should you look for in good spine surgeons in Bangalore?

A good surgeon is committed to providing excellent patient care and outcomes and is willing to learn new approaches and techniques while honing existing ones. Spine surgeons in Bangalore should also be a good communicator who is willing to spend time explaining about the exact anatomical problem in patients words  and  why they are performing surgery and the treatment options available.

The following conditions are fulfilled by the specialised doctors of NeuroWellness care center. They provide the best treatment and make the patient feel comfortable with full care and compassion.

Surgical approaches:

 The spine can be accessed from a variety of angles, whether through open surgery or MISS. These are known as surgical approaches and they are described below:

  • Anterior approach- as the name says, the surgeon approaches the spine from the front of your body, neck and through the abdomen.
  • Posterior approach- an incision is made in your back for posterior approach most commonly.
  • Lateral approach- the pathway to your spine runs through the side.

Implants used in spine surgery

Titanium – MRI compatible

PEEK-MRI compatible

Steel – now a days hardly any surgeon uses

Types of spine surgery:

  • Microdiscetomy- advised for disc prolapse. It is the most common spine surgery done.
  • Laminectomy, foraminotomy and decompression
  • TLIF(trans foraminal lumbar interbody fusion)
  • ACDF (anterior cervical microdiscetomy and fusion)
  • Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
  • PLIF- posterior lumbar interbody fusion
  • Artificial disk replacement

Spine surgery- what is learnt!

  • From past 2 decades due to advances in medical science- the complications are very minimal.
  • Neuromicroscope- provides magnifications of small nerve structures, good illuminations of structures so surgeon can see clearly what is being operated.
  • Microinstruments- for fine dissection.
  • Highspeed drills.
  • Neuro-navigation
  • with all these the neurological deficits are VERY RARE- like CSF leak, nerve root injury , cord injury and motor weakness infections, Implant failure.

Summary:

Commonly most spine problems are managed by conservative approach and medical treatment.  Spine surgery is when medical treatment fails to benefit. Spine surgery is advancing, it is becoming much safer in recent years due state of art and excellent outcome after spine surgery from past decade.

NeuroWellness spine and brain care center is one of the best for spine treatment , the specialised doctors and staff treat their patients with care and compassion.

Neuro wellness is also a high-ranking portal dedicated to raising public awareness about the importance of preventing, diagnosing and treating various neurological and endovascular conditions. It is one of the best neuro hospital in Bangalore.

What is ACDF?

  • Anterior cervical microdiscectomy and fusion.
  • It is done for most commonly done for cervical disc prolapse.
  • Most common is C5C6 & C6C7.
  • Then C4C5 can occur at a higher level also
  • There may be compression of the nerve root, spinal cord causing severe neck pain, upper limbs pain and weakness in limbs and difficulty in walking
  • Done under general anesthesia
  • A small opening is made in the neck

Courtesy Mayfield ClinicCourtesy Mayfield Clinic

  • Neck structure is pushed, instead of cutting and corridor is made to reach the cervical spine
  • The carotid artery will be lateral, trachea & esophagus will be medically
  • Under fluoroscopy guidance involved disc is identified/localized
  • With the microscope help microdiscectomy done
  • Nerve roots & spinal cord is released
  • Intervertebral space is replaced with artificial cages / PEEK / titanium / bone grafts.
  • Fixation is done with plate & screws.
  • After fixation, it is confirmed with fluoroscopy (plate, case, screws are perfect or not)
  • The closure is done.

Our expert Neuro team at Neurowellness a neuro hospital in Bangalore provide the best Neck Pain Treatment in Bangalore.

Please visit

Neurowellness
Brain and Spine Clinic
#1224, Ground-Floor, 26th Main, Jayanagar 9th Block
BANGALORE – 560069

Phone No
+91 72596 69911
+91 73490 17701

Website www.neurowellness.in

Facebook www.facebook.com/neurowellness.in/

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