since i came to shanghai a year ago, i have been having extreme neck pains..

there is little change in the nature of the job, as i sit at my desk all 8 to 9 hours of it and i still work on a a notebook.

i still go to the gym and now do neck exercises daily..and yes, i go for those tcm back massages practically every week.

i have stopped using a pillow couple of months ago now and it does help slightly.

i wonder if it is my desk that is of different height here?? it does seem lower than the ones i had before..?

a friend suggested a chiropractor to 'stretch' my back or something.. and i will be ok.

does a chiropractor help? where do i find one in shanghai?

I have an extremely great reference here in Pu Dong. Do you speak Chinese? Please PM me.
He usually doesn't take in new clients, only by referral.

#1VoIPFan wrote:I have an extremely great reference here in Pu Dong. Do you speak Chinese? Please PM me.
He usually doesn't take in new clients, only by referral.

Hi ! Yes, i speak Chinese and i live in Pudong..

Only problem is that i dont quite know how to send a private message..

If you can PM instead, it will be good.


Thanks !

Your desk is too short for your height. That is why you have to bend your head down and put all the pressure on your neck. That is the reason why you have this problem. suggestion: Try to relax and do some neck streching exercise from time to time. massage (not aggressive one) will relieve your tightness. Before going to bed need to use hot pack on your pain area for about 15-20 minutes and this will relieve some more pain.

if your have more problem you can contact Koy physical therapist email: s_tapingkae@hotmail.com

Common neck pain is from muscle strain or tension. Usually, everyday activities are responsible. Such activities include prolong bending over a desk for hours, having poor posture while watching TV or reading, placing your computer monitor too high or too low, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, or twisting and turning the neck in a jarring manner while exercising. Worry and stress during your day life can cause neck pain too.

If the pain has lasted more than three months, it is termed 'chronic' neck pain.

Learn these four gentle neck stretching exercises to decrease muscle tightness. The exercises can first be performed while laying on your back (to provided assisted support) and in time advanced to being performed in the seated position. Read on to review these four exercises.

Flexion Stretch - Chin to Chest
1) Gently bend your head forward while bringing your chin toward your chest.
2) Stop when a stretch is felt in the back of your neck.
3) Hold position for 20 seconds.
4) Return to starting position. (neck in midline position)
5) Repeat above stretch 5 more times.

Extension Stretch - Eyes to Sky
1) Gently bend your head backward so that your eyes are looking up to the "sky".
2) Stop when a stretch is felt in the front of your neck.
3) Hold position for 20 seconds.
4) Return to starting position. (neck in midline position)
5) Repeat above stretch 5 more times.

Rotation - Side to Side
1) Gently turn your head to the left, looking over your left shoulder.
2) Stop when a stretch is felt in the right side of your neck.
3) Hold position for 20 seconds.
4) Return to starting position. (neck in midline position)
5) Repeat above stretch 5 more times.
6) Gently turn your head to the right, looking over your right shoulder.
7) Stop when a stretch is felt in the left side of your neck.
Hold position for 20 seconds.
9) Return to starting position. (neck in midline position)
10) Repeat above stretch 5 more times.

Lateral Flexion - Ear to Shoulder
1) Gently bend your neck in attempts to touch your left ear to your shoulder.
2) Stop when a stretch is felt in the right side of your neck.
3) Hold position for 20 seconds.
4) Return to starting position. (neck in midline position)
5) Repeat above stretch 5 more times.
6) Gently bend your neck in attempts to touch your right ear to your shoulder.
7) Stop when a stretch is felt in the left side of your neck.
Hold position for 20 seconds.
9) Return to starting position. (neck in midline position)
10) Repeat above stretch 5 more times.

I had the same neck problem, as well as shoulder blade problems. I went to ORM (Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Medicine dept.) at Chenxin Hospital (7F, 937 West Yanan Rd. next to Jiangsu Rd. Tel: 52130008). They have English-speaking Chiropractors and Osteopaths, I feel so much better now.