Everyone is familiar with transportation hubs. But if you were asked where the human body's hub is, could you answer? Actually, whether you're staring at a computer screen or looking down at your phone, you're using this part of your body—your neck. This seemingly simple area establishes crucial "life connections" between the mouth and stomach, nose and lungs, brain and spine, and brain and heart, making it the busiest "hub" in the body. So how exactly does the neck affect health?
1. As important as breathing
"Just like breathing, we don't usually pay much attention to it until problems arise," said Li Jinxue. According to a survey by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, 70% of white-collar workers suffer from varying degrees of "office-related illnesses," two of which are neck-related. Pharyngitis ranks first among the top five "office-related illnesses," and another is the increasingly prevalent cervical spondylosis. A survey of nearly 300 cervical spondylosis cases nationwide by orthopedic experts at Peking University Third Hospital also found that young and middle-aged people under 40 years old account for 48.1% of those with cervical spondylosis.
II. The "Main Road" to Overall Health
The neck is the thinnest part of the torso and supports the most important part of the human body, the head, so it deserves special attention.
Eighty percent of the brain's blood supply comes from the neck. The heart delivers oxygen and blood to the brain primarily through four arteries: a pair of carotid arteries and a pair of vertebral arteries. Liu Changwei, director of the Vascular Surgery Center at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said that the carotid arteries provide more than 80% of the blood supply to brain tissue, and their pulsation can be felt about 5 centimeters to the side of the prominent part of the throat.
The lymph nodes in the neck are the body's first line of defense. Dong Min, deputy chief physician of the Department of Hematology at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, told reporters: "The primary channels for viruses and bacteria to invade are the respiratory tract and the mouth. When infected lymph fluid flows back, the first stop is the neck. Therefore, the lymph nodes in the neck are the most prone to swelling, and then it spreads to the armpits and groin."
The throat is the "master valve" of the respiratory tract. People often use the term "throat fortress" to describe an important geographical location. As an important organ in the front of the neck, the throat plays a vital role in swallowing food and making sounds. It is also the essential passage for the human body to inhale oxygen. Keeping the throat unobstructed and healthy is of utmost importance.
The seven cervical vertebrae support the head. Composed of only seven bones, the cervical spine, together with the shoulders, forms a heavy cross, supporting the weight of the head. Li Jinxue says that if the cervical spine is under prolonged tension, it is prone to chronic strain and deformation. Once nerves are compressed, it can lead to shoulder and upper limb pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Cervical spine disease has become one of the most common ailments among modern people.
The neck is covered with various nerves. Eight pairs of spinal nerves control the body's movement and sensation; four pairs of cranial nerves are responsible for regulating blood pressure, respiration, and controlling gastrointestinal motility; the sympathetic nervous system can increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels in the limbs, and cause sweating; while excitation of the parasympathetic nervous system can slow down and weaken the heart rate.
The neck can be a "signal light" for other diseases. A study presented at the annual meeting of the American Professional Sleep Association showed that people with thicker necks are more prone to sleep apnea. A survey of 3,300 participants with an average age of 51 by the MRC Clinical Science Center and the Framingham Heart Research Institute indicated that the thicker the neck, the higher the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the neck is also a point where the body's meridians converge. Li Jinxue explains that five important meridians—the Governing Vessel, Bladder Meridian, Small Intestine Meridian, Gallbladder Meridian, and Triple Energizer Meridian—all pass through the back of the neck and shoulders. If these meridians are not unobstructed, their functions will be affected.
Third, keeping your head up and chest out is the best way to protect your neck.
Dr. Shih-Wei Chou, director of the Rehabilitation Department at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, offered several simple methods to protect the neck.
A salt bag works very well. Sew a long, narrow bag, fill it with large grains of salt, seal it, and heat it in the microwave for a few minutes. Place it under your neck while sleeping each night, keeping it warm; this can relieve neck discomfort.
Fly kites and swim more. Looking down or leaning forward for too long can cause neck pain. Flying kites and swimming are good ways to relieve neck pressure.
Stand with your head up and chest out. Some people habitually hunch their backs and crane their necks when standing, which increases the strain on their necks. This simple action of keeping your head up and chest out can reduce the burden on your neck.
Wear a neck support pillow when sitting for long periods. A comfortable and supportive neck support pillow can help maintain proper neck posture and a correct curve for people who sit for long periods. However, neck support pillows only have an auxiliary function and cannot be used as a treatment.
Only by lying flat can you truly rest. Professor Zhang Hude of the Health Preservation Department of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine points out that the neck can only truly rest by lying flat. For those who are used to sleeping on their backs, flatten the middle of the pillow before going to bed and elevate the neck area; the pillow height should be the same as the height of your fist. When sleeping on your side, the pillow height should be the same as the height of one and a half fists, ideally 10-15 centimeters.
