Archive for the ‘neck pain’ Category
Very few people know that many pillows really need to be replaced every few years. Because pillows compress and get lumpy there is no way you can get a good night’s sleep once they are past their prime!
Do you wake up in the morning tired and terribly exhausted and with a dull ache in your neck? Maybe you have a hard time concentrating and focusing throughout the day as a result of neck pain or lack of sleep. If you’ve had trouble with neck pain it is likely because your pillow doesn’t support you and align your spine the way it should.
The best solution for your neck pain and discomfort is to discard your old pillow and replace it with a new one. You may opt for down feathered, poly-filled, or a foam-type pillow such as Temper Pedic makes. There are even buckwheat hull filled pillows you can choose as a replacement option!Whatever pillow you choose, quality is what will deliver the comfort that will grant you a better night’s sleep.
While pillow shopping, you’re likely to find pillows that cost less, but peaceful rest is worth the price of quality if you’ve been experiencing insomnia, an aching back or neck pain. Every major hotel and resort around the world stocks quality pillows as guests’ comfort is their top priority. If you’ve ever wondered about the great night’s sleep you’ve gotten while on the road, it could be the pillow that’s the reason just as much if not more than the mattress.
There are several factors that will help you choose a quality pillow when it is time for replacement.
First, consider the material and any known allergies you might have. Second, consider the style of pillow that will be most comfortable. Foam material pillows are specially designed for individuals requiring a therapeutic sleep posture for health reasons and sleep comfort. Even if there are no medical conditions affecting your sleep position, you may simply prefer the comfort foam pillows provide. Others find a soft, plump down-filled pillow most comfortable. You may need to try out several different types of pillows before you find the ideal choice for you.
Be sure to select the right pillow size so that your head is neither too high nor too low, as this can put stress on the neck and actually inhibit breathing. Size selections of pillows range considerably, from smaller sizes such as 15 x 10 x 2.5 inches up to 34 x 14 x 4 inches. Standard size pillows generally measure 25 x 19 inches.
How often will you need to replace your pillow? It depends on your sleep style and of course, the type and quality of the pillow you buy. Nearly all well-made pillows will last several years. Some pillows will last up to 15 years! Check with the manufacturer of the pillow for details about how long it will last.
No matter what type of pillow you decide on, one thing is guaranteed. Once you lay your head down on a supportive new pillow you will never hang on to an old one again!
Ray La Foy
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/is-your-old-pillow-a-pain-in-the-neck-105565.html
THIS ARTICLE WAS TAKEN FROM Cervical Spondylosis
CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS – AUXILIARY TREATMENT – YOGA
There is a strong tendency for the symptoms of cervical spondylosis to subside spontaneously, though they may persist for several months and the structural changes are clearly permanent.
Treatment is thus aimed at assisting natural resolution of temporarily inflamed or edematous soft tissues.
In mild cases physiotherapy may be recommended (radiant heal, short wave diathermy, massage, traction or exercises).
In the more severe cases judicious use of a close-fitting cervical collar for supporting the neck (it should be worn for 1-3 months depending on progress) and rest to the neck is advisable.
In the exceptional cases in which the spinal cord is constricted, decompression from front or by laminectomy may be required and thereafter it may be advisable to fuse the affected segments of the spinal column by a bone-grafting operation.
Physiotherapy
Once the neck problem is diagnosed, treatment can be decided.
In most neck conditions, pressure on the neck causes pain and pain causes muscle spasms, setting up a cycle. The best way to break the cycle and stop the pain is to relieve both pressure and spasms. There are various approaches to achieve each of these goals. Many of them require daily applications, so they must be done by the patient at home.
Relief of pressure:
Lying down is perhaps the simplest way to relieving the neck of its heavy load. Bed rest gives the muscles a chance to recover. The duration of bed rest should be advised by the physiotherapist.
Not only is spinal molding a relaxing way to start and end your body, it also reshapes your spine into its natural curves. Begin by lying on the floor or g on a firm mattress with rolled-up towels under your neck and low back. Your legs may be straight or bent. Lie in this position for 15-20 minutes.
Cervical collar helps the neck muscles support the head, it also reduces neck mobility. The therapist may prescribe wearing of a cervical collar for the acute phase of neck problems and the duration of wearing it. The collar should fit snugly around the neck and be long enough to support the chin. Men can minimize irritation from the collar by shaving frequently.
Extension and flexion is especially helpful when you feel your neck and back stiffen. While sitting, place your hands on your knees and push down. Slowly arch your back and bend your back backward. Then slowly slump forward. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Side bends increase your side-to-side flexibility. Start by placing your fingers together and pointing your elbows outward. Bend at the waist, tilting your body to one side as far as you can. Then bend your head and neck in the same direction. Repeat on your other side. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
This exercise increases the flexibility of your entire spine. To begin, place your fingers together and point your elbows outward. Slowly and gently twist at your waist, rotating your head and neck to the same side. Repeat toward the other side. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
TO READ MORE PLEASE VISIT Cervical Spondylosis and Neck Pain
Pratik Lalwani
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/cervical-spondylosis-now-100-guaranteed-cure-for-neck-pain-125162.html
Neck pain alone is a struggle. If clubbed with shoulder and upper back pain, it is an undeclared war. And various uncertainties related to this pain may continue to haunt you for a long time indeed.
The causes of neck pain are many. It is related to soft tissues of the neck, either growths or tumors affecting the thyroid glands, food pipe of the wind pipe. Injury to the ligaments and muscles can cause neck pain.
One of the common reasons for the neck shoulder and upper back pain is the bad pillow design that you have been using for a long time. You did feel uncomfortable with this pillow, but you ignored the initial warnings.
Have you noticed that even after a full night’s sleep, you feel uncomfortable many a times? One of the reasons for this situation could be your pillow, or the too soft or the too hard mattress!
This condition of neck pain, shoulder cramps and back pain can be successfully tackled by the correct, specially designed pillows! These pillows are so designed, that they allow proper shoulder rotation and support the head well!
The treatment to neck, shoulder and upper back pain lies in making the correct diagnosis. What is the immediate and ultimate goal of any type of treatment? It is to prevent weakening of muscles, improve range of motion, relieve pain and restore the normal function. The treatment options are many. The most common and immediate relief seeking treatment is using non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicine, soft neck collars, exercises, neck support pillows and topical agents such as Myorax.
Apart from the beneficial effects of some of the therapies like acupressure and acupuncture, proper upper back pain exercising routine is the most acknowledged plan to get rid of all these painful conditions. This is a preventive measure for future problems also and as such exercising needs to be the part of your lifestyle. It will prevent recurrence of upper back pain.
Your day includes strenuous physical and mental activity. You can do the exercises before your physical activity schedule or after it. Such exercises relax the muscle tissue. Your tension is reduced. The suppleness of the spine is increased. When each related part becomes strong and active, pain won’t have any takers.
In rare cases, exercises themselves may be the cause of your shoulder and upper back pain. So always take proper lessons from your physiotherapist, for the great benefits!
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/tips-for-treating-neck-shoulder-and-upper-back-pain-81125.html
Unfortunately, anxiety is more than just a pain in the neck. Head and neck pains caused by anxiety can be a truly debilitating situation and what is worse than that is the fact that it is self inflicted. Of course, no one really wants to experience pain, especially the type of pain associated with head and neck pains associated with anxiety.
People who suffer from anxiety induced head and neck pains feel a constant ache in their neck with their nerves on end as well as a vice grip like hold on their heads. This sort of head and neck pain can go on for long periods of time without reprieve and will not go away with normal pain relievers because pain relievers subdue pain, not anxiety.
The reason that it is said that head and neck pains that result from anxiety are self inflicted because this is a classic case of a psycho somatic occasion where a mental state of mind has manifested itself physically. This is actually a natural way for the body to inform the mind if things that otherwise may stay in the subconscious. Perhaps, we are not aware that we are anxious or over indulging in a lifestyle that is prone to anxiety. The head and neck pain that result from anxiety alerts us to this fact so that we can do something about it set ourselves free from the physical as well as mental anguish.
An old wise saying says that, “anxiety is a payment in advance for a debt we may never owe”. We need to keep this adage in mind in instances where we tend to get agitated and anxious. To the person who is anxious, it may seem that anxiety, worry and stress are a natural reaction to stimuli but that need not be the case; unless one enjoys the stress compounded by severe head and neck pains.
Individuals who find themselves victims of head and neck pain from anxiety need to wake up to the realization that they will need to manage their stress and anxiety to be able to manage their physical pain. Do not put yourself I situations that will merit stress and challenge your peace of mind.
For sure, there will be things in life that will not go our way and cause us a huge amount of anxiety if we allow it. But the truth is simple. We are responsible for how we feel and decide how to act to given stimuli. We all know that life will constantly throw challenges our way and we will find ourselves in instances where it is impossible not to get stressed. However, we have the power to manage our stress levels and choose peace of mind rather than dwelling on stress.
Low Jeremy
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/a-pain-in-the-neck-headaches-99498.html
Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always explanation for our stiff and painful neck when we get up in the morning. We also attempt to figure out what is taking place when sudden neck movement causes a sharp pain that feels as if “something” has slipped out of position or that a nerve is being “pinched.” It is useful to understand that most neck problems are seldom caused by a single incident, but rather by the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, bad work and living habits, lack of beneficial exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Of course, some neck challenges are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.
In order to understand neck pain, it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is directed by neck vertebrae that are made of posterior joints, called facets, that attach vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of tough cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. The spinal cord is situated between the facets of the vertebrae. Spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae and supply energy to muscles and organs of the body. They also carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain. The nerves that exit from the neck are in charge of the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The natural forward curve of the neck balances the weight of the head and alleviates stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your Chiropractor.
Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use
Computer use has risen dramatically over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, a large number of people spend eight to ten hours a day, or more, bent over a keyboard and staring at a monitor. Sitting with the head in a forward bent position (the posture most computer users adopt), puts immense strain on neck ligaments and muscles. In addition, the normal forward curve of the neck becomes reversed causing more stress upon all the surrounding tissues of the neck. Unhealthy posture and repetitive stress can cause spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the main causes of spinal nerve inflammation. Conjointly with general pain, spinal nerve pain in the neck can generate symptoms such as headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.
Headaches and Chiropractic Care
Headaches or migraines are commonly associated with misalignments of the cervical spine. Symptoms, from a dull ache to throbbing pain, are produced when the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion and sensitive nerves and blood vessels, associated with structures in the head are stretched or inflamed. Trigger points, the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, can also refer pain to the head. Of course there are other factors connected with headaches including toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. But, the alignment of the neck and the inflammation of surrounding tissues should be a foremost consideration when treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to singularly valuable in the treatment of headaches. Your Chiropractor can give you further information regarding treatment and pain relief.
Whiplash and Chiropractic Care
Many people are involved in car accidents. Almost certainly the most common auto accident is when one car collides into the rear-end of another car. During such a collision, the head of the passenger in the front vehicle is forcefully jolted back, and then forward, causing damage to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. This sort of trauma is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force arising from such an accident is very powerful and can cause injury to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Along with neck pain and immobility, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and shoulder pain, tingling in the hands and fingers and weakness of the arm and hand are coincidental with whiplash injury. It is vital to get immediate evaluation and x-rays to rule out the possibility of fracture. More often than not in most cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper care is vital in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Chiropractor is has years of experience in treating whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.