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Faizan
The treadmill can be a valuable tool in the battle of the bulge, and regular aerobic exercise can even help to alleviate muscle pain. If you use improper form, have chronic injuries and pain or work yourself beyond the point of exhaustion, though, you can end up with neck pain that leaves you wondering why you ever got on the treadmill in the first place.
Exercise Form Matters
Proper treadmill form leaves you looking straight ahead, with your shoulders back, spine straight and your legs directly under your hips. If you're obsessed with tracking your treadmill progress, you might find yourself looking down at the treadmill console to see how fast you're running or to change the incline. But keeping your neck bent down can lead to minor muscle injuries. Similarly, grabbing the bars of the treadmill puts your neck in an awkward position, possibly contributing to a stiff neck.
Chronic Conditions and Muscle Injuries
Although treadmill exercise can help ease the pain of chronic conditions such as arthritis, if you push yourself too hard or adopt incorrect posture, you could end up worsening your condition. Previous muscle injuries can also cause your neck to hurt on the treadmill. If you work out on the treadmill for an extended period of time with your neck in an inappropriate position, you may even end up with muscle injuries such as strains and sprains -- either in your neck or in surrounding areas. In the latter case, pain can radiate from your shoulders or back to your neck.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Delayed onset muscle soreness is mild to moderate muscle pain that you'll typically feel between 12 and 72 hours after a workout. Although it's more common in your legs and back after a treadmill routine, pain in one area of your body can radiate to your neck. And if you twist or bend your neck in an awkward position while on the treadmill, you may end up with DOMS in your neck.
Managing and Treating Pain
If the pain you feel isn't severe, you can typically treat it at home with a combination of massage and rest. Avoid strenuous activity until your neck feels better. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can also help ease symptoms. If you feel popping or tearing on the treadmill, if the pain is severe, or if pain lasts more than a day or two, talk to your doctor, because you could have a serious muscle injury.
Exercise Form Matters
Proper treadmill form leaves you looking straight ahead, with your shoulders back, spine straight and your legs directly under your hips. If you're obsessed with tracking your treadmill progress, you might find yourself looking down at the treadmill console to see how fast you're running or to change the incline. But keeping your neck bent down can lead to minor muscle injuries. Similarly, grabbing the bars of the treadmill puts your neck in an awkward position, possibly contributing to a stiff neck.
Chronic Conditions and Muscle Injuries
Although treadmill exercise can help ease the pain of chronic conditions such as arthritis, if you push yourself too hard or adopt incorrect posture, you could end up worsening your condition. Previous muscle injuries can also cause your neck to hurt on the treadmill. If you work out on the treadmill for an extended period of time with your neck in an inappropriate position, you may even end up with muscle injuries such as strains and sprains -- either in your neck or in surrounding areas. In the latter case, pain can radiate from your shoulders or back to your neck.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Delayed onset muscle soreness is mild to moderate muscle pain that you'll typically feel between 12 and 72 hours after a workout. Although it's more common in your legs and back after a treadmill routine, pain in one area of your body can radiate to your neck. And if you twist or bend your neck in an awkward position while on the treadmill, you may end up with DOMS in your neck.
Managing and Treating Pain
If the pain you feel isn't severe, you can typically treat it at home with a combination of massage and rest. Avoid strenuous activity until your neck feels better. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can also help ease symptoms. If you feel popping or tearing on the treadmill, if the pain is severe, or if pain lasts more than a day or two, talk to your doctor, because you could have a serious muscle injury.
Posted in: Running
