Texting or looking down at your cell phone or mobile device for any length of time puts excessive strain on your neck. If you spend a lot of time on the phone, be sure to avoid tilting your head to the side or cradling your phone in the crook of your neck. Irritation to the facet joints of the lower cervical vertebrae in your neck can result in muscle trigger point pains. Trigger points are small knots in the muscle or fascia—which is a layer of tissue under your skin and around the muscle—that can lead to pain. Keep your neck muscles strong by doing short sets of strengthening and stretching exercises throughout the day that Dr. Grewal may suggest, to help decrease pain. Come into our clinic located in Downtown Cloverdale for an initial assessment.