Could My Glasses Be Causing Me Neck Pain?

Repositioning your head and neck for optimal sight is a very common way to develop pressure in the middle of the neck, especially when tipping the chin while using bifocals or trifocals.

This Compensation Pattern is VERY Common

The pattern is tipping the chin up so that the eyes are looking through the lower part of the lenses followed by generally slouching posture or reaching forward with the head and neck to position just so, to be able to read at a specific distance.

The main effect of this pattern that I see with clients that complain of pain in the neck are

1. Shortness and stiffness in the suboccipital muscles. Sub means under and occiput is the back of the head or skull. The suboccipital muscles are the thick muscles you can feel when you run your fingers off the back of your skull where your head is balancing on the start of your cervical (neck) bones.

2. Extension and compression in the back of the disk joints and the facet joints in the middle of the neck where we tend to move the most. Hanging out in that extended position can pinch off the circulation in those joints and reduce the space available for fluid to move and for the joints to "breathe".

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YES! Your Glasses are Likely Causing your Neck Pain

Consider what you spend MOST of you time looking at and use lenses specific for that task. For example, if you spend most of your hours looking at computer screen, consider a specific pair of glasses just for the screen to reduce the amount of eye and neck adjustments you need to make.

Consider your selection of eyewear an investment in your long-term health. After all, you spend all your waking hours using your eyesight so why not make sure that you have the best eyewear to keep your spine safe and healthy and stop letting your glasses cause increased neck pain.

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About The Author

Meet Dr. Dawn, a dedicated doctor of physical therapy since 1995. She became an orthopedic specialist in 2000 with an Orthopedic Manual Therapy Certification and earned a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy from Oakland University in 2016 demonstrating a strong commitment to lifelong learning. Dawn opened her own practice in 2020, offering concierge physical therapy services to the Metro Detroit area.

Dawn has extensive experience working with a diverse range of patients facing both orthopedic and neurological challenges, as well as high performing athletes. However she has a strong passion and vast knowledge for working on the spine. Her years of dedicated practice and advanced training have equipped her with remarkable skills in movement assessment and rehabilitation. She takes pride in guiding clients through all stages of recovery—from post-injury or surgery rehabilitation, to  adventure travel preparation and golf performance.

Dawn was a triple sport collegiate athlete competing in diving, sailing, and gymnastics. Post college, Dawn has participated in many athletic events: fitness competitions, triathlon and ironman competitions, open water swimming and backpacking. She has overcome many of her own injuries and setbacks, most recently a total knee replacement. She has applied  her expertise into her own recovery which enables her to relate to her clients in a unique and compassionate way.

Her passion is to spread the message of empowering people to live active lives and extend their living-well years to the max, through movement. Dawn walks the talk.