In terms of posture problems, the only long term cure is a conscious
attempt at posture improvement.  Jobs or hobbies that require a lot of
leaning over [typing, grooming, needlework, etc.] tend to make people
hunch the shoulders and arch the neck forward.  This tightens or contracts
neck muscles, causing muscle fatigue.  Without rest, extended contraction
of the neck can cause severe headaches.
  Emotional stress brought on by worrying about one's job or family, or
holding back feelings of anger, sadness or fear, can likewise cause contraction in the neck muscles.  The stress of emotions can also
aggravate other neck injuries and slow down the healing process.  Just
as the skin gradually wrinkles and your hair begins to gray, so the
cervical spine undergoes changes with age. This is especially true with the cervical vertebrae, which get the most movement.
  The wear and tear on C-4 to C-6 [ see the previous illustration ] usually
begins to show between 40 to 60 years of age. The medical term for this
process is disc degeneration.  There may be no symptoms, and the onset
of pain from degeneration may occur rapidly, especially if you have
neglected your body.
  Fortunately, with proper treatment, the condition can improve in as little
as six to eight weeks.  Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions to the
letter, because even with proper care and exercise, disc degeneration can
and often does reoccur.
  If you have neck problems now, or have had them in the past, here are
a few tips that may help:
 

• Be Neat, don't leave things laying around to trip over.
• Take a moment to stretch your neck at least every half hour when working.
• Try grooming sitting down if and when you can, and if you have a hydraulic table, raise and lower it to different positions during the grooming procedure.
• Keep equipment at shoulder level, so you don't have to stoop and bend so much.
• Don't talk with the phone cradled on your shoulder, get a shoulder attachment.
• Use a stepladder instead of reaching beyond the stretch of your arm.
• Use common sense when lifting heavy objects.
• Use a straw when drinking from a can or bottle.
• Wash your hair in the shower instead of the sink.
• In an audience setting, don't sit up front or anywhere else you are forced to keep your head tilted.
• Sleep on your back [never on your stomach], and use a firm mattress.