Could a hat or a hairstyle. . .
actually be harming your spine?
The answer may surprise you!
I had the interesting experience of getting some glasses for the first time on Friday 🤓
I have worn contacts for many years to help me in seeing further away.
But for several reasons I have never worn glasses. I’ve always felt that they don’t fit my face and head, don’t look good on me, are not practical given the fact that I have a physical job and also work out a lot, and are just generally NOT comfortable 😱😰🙏
Recently, though, I became aware of a special line of hand-made glasses where the frames are specially fitted to the individual 💥
I got swept up in the excitement and began to think of how I might want to mix it up by wearing some glasses every once in a while! So I decided to order from Nathan Hill of Framed Optical.
On Friday, when I received the glasses, I decided to wear them instead of my contacts all day to see if I could get used to them 🤓💃💥
The next morning, Saturday, I woke up and my NECK WAS REALLY HURTING, Y’ALL!
Even I, with everything I know and continue to learn over the years, didn’t initially put together what it could be that had my neck and head feeling so stiff and achey 😰🥲🤓
(Before you read any further, I want to make it super clear that the glasses in and of themselves are not the problem! I would HIGHLY recommend Framed Optical. The glasses were specifically fitted to my face and are as personalized as they could be!)
What do you think? The frames are dark green 💚
So if the glasses helped cause the pain, but I’m telling you they aren’t, “the problem,” what IS the problem?
I’ll get to that in a moment. First though, i am going to list off factors that I have seen help cause similar issues in myself and my clients over my almost-12 years of practice:
- Hats, especially baseball caps or billed hats 🧢
- Head bands, especially cloth ones
- Long hair being worn back in a tight bun at the base of the neck
- Masks for the nose and mouth (of the kind worn by dentists or during covid) 😷
- Tops that are off the shoulder, or have a boat neck
- Bodysuits and one piece swimsuits 🩱
- Stiff, bulky business blazers, especially when worn all day and in front of a computer
- Pants that are too loose in the waist without a belt 👖
- Any clothing that is too tight or too loose, really
And I’m sure that there are so many more! These are just the examples I can list off right now from the top of my head 😂
Now, even if you were initially doubtful and unsure how something such as wearing glasses could help trigger neck pain, I hope that reading through my list of examples has you beginning to understand what I’m getting at here.
Here’s the what I want you to keep in mind.
Anything– literally anything– that has you holding your body, head, jaw, face, or neck in a way that is artificially static, stiff, and discourages full movement could potentially damage your spine and body 💥💥💥💥
Have you ever gone to the dentist or orthodontist and had a sore neck, headache, jaw tension, and/or just generally felt out of sorts afterward?
It makes sense.
You were holding your mouth wide open for an unnaturally long period of time, and you were unable to move your neck and head in response to the tension that was building up (plus maybe you’re really stressed out by dental work, but I’ll get to that in a second 😱).
I want you to know that it doesn’t have to be something big and obvious (like a root canal or having cavities drilled) to have you hold extra tension in your head, neck, jaw, and spine!
Sometimes things that seem little or inconsequential– like glasses and hats– can be even more insidious in their damage because you weren’t aware of the issue and tension and damage can compound over time.
Nerve tissues are VERY sensitive tissues. And this is by design; they are extremely important in the functioning of your spine and body. You need to feel it as soon as possible if something is off! 🛑
One degree off of optimal, or a dime’s worth of pressure, is enough to change the signals that your nerves are sending.
Optimally, if we are not distracted and in a flight-or-flight state, and we are aware of our spine and body’s needs in the moment, we can manage additional pressure on the spine through breath and micro movements (most of this even happening subconsciously).
But if there are any additional factors creating stress or strain, seemingly small stressors can really compound further.
For example, you wearing a cloth head band all day might not necessarily cause any kind of additional tension and stress in your head, jaw, and neck.
But let’s say you wore it all day. And during the course of that day you had a 2 hour long, stress-filled drive through Chicago traffic. And you were dehydrated from not having had enough water the day prior 😱😱😱
With all these factors together, including the fight-or-flight state in your nervous system contributing to the tension and having you less and less aware of the problem that is occuring, you are MUCH more likely to end up with tension and pain in the head and neck.
My point is, you have to look at the big picture. There are usually going to be multiple factors at play 🌄🌀
But clothing, accessories, and hairstyles can all number amongst those factors. Now that you know that, I want you to pay attenion.
The solution– and my solution for wearing my glasses– is to start out only wearing them in small doses
I’m starting out with watching TV only, making sure that my lower back is supported with a throw-pillow, and that I am moving my head and neck up down and rolling at regular intervals 🤓
I’m going to work my way up to wearing the glasses during longer periods of time and different types of activities ✨
And don’t forget that Network Spinal adjustments address both aspects of the problem.
As the care is relaxing you, helping your spine lengthen so that the pressure comes off of the nerves, you are able to become more connected to and aware of the needs of your body. This helps you on the table, and outside New Day ☀️✨🏡💕
Thank you for staying with me, New Day. I look forward to hearing about your experience of any of what I have described at your adjustments with me this week 💖
