Wearing a mask is for most simply a minor inconvenience, but for those who spend full shifts straining their necks to peer up and down over their face coverings, the act can lead to physical pain.
4February 2021
Dr. Leo Bronston
Dr. Leo Bronston of Bronston Chiropractic Clinic, which has locations in Onalaska, La Crosse and Sparta, has seen an increase in patients experiencing stiffness, aches and pains due to the change in posture and positioning sometimes necessary to maintain a line of vision or keep their mask in place.
“My clinics are seeing an uptick in neck and upper back pain associated with wearing masks for long hours,” says Bronston. “While it is extremely important to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is also important to wear the right mask in the right way to prevent neuromusculoskeletal effects.
Teachers, health care workers, retail and factory workers, and even students have reported jaw pain, neck stiffness, upper back pain, headaches and eye tension, Bronston says, as they are “moving differently and holding awkward positions to accommodate their face coverings.”
Tendencies include tucking the chin, lifting the head at a different angle and holding the neck stiffly. Masks which are too tight, Bronston adds, can compress the facial nerves and pull the head forward in an abnormal fashion. Some may also find their lower peripheral vision is obscured by their face covering, which can increase the risk of tripping and falling.
As face coverings, along with distancing and sanitation, remain crucial in curbing viral spread, Bronston advises the following to help alleviate and prevent the physical discomfort that can result from masking while still adhering to essential coronavirus prevention guidelines:
- Try out different masks until you find one that stays in place, covering the mouth and nose without obstructing vision
- Use masks with adjusting elastic or ties so they are snug but not tight
- Move as normally as possible
- Take frequent breaks to flex the jaw, neck, shoulders and upper spine. When possible, take a brief walk outside
- If pain persists, seek professional help from a chiropractor or physical therapist to avoid developing a chronic condition
For more information, visit www.bronstonchiro.com or call 608-781-2225.
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Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.
“My clinics are seeing an uptick in neck and upper back pain associated with wearing masks for long hours.”
Leo Bronston, chiropractor
Source: lacrossetribune.com
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