Neck Pain Support Blog

Another Simple Technique for Reducing Neck Discomfort!

Head extension often helps restore the neck curvature which in turn takes pressure off of the nerves and reduces pain.

When your spine is irritated and discs are irritated, they do not stay in good alignment. The discs will typically bulge or migrate posteriorly (towards the back) which is where the nerve roots extend from the spinal cord.

Extending your head back will push the discs forward, pulling them into place. The discs lay in between the spinal bones and should not extend beyond the margins of the vertebrae.

One great and simple way to do this is to lay on your bed with your head hanging off the edge slightly into extension. Start with your head just hanging off the edge slightly, if you feel comfortable, push yourself slightly further. This is a basic level of neck traction, so start with allowing the head to hang in extension only a minute or two. I say this because your muscles can be sore after. It’ll be a good soreness, but nonetheless it’s soreness, and you don’t want to be in more pain.

Gradually work yourself up time-wise with the tractioning for the most benefit. The reason I call this a simple technique is that anytime you have some neck discomfort or pain you can do this technique for a minute or two and often get immediate relief. For more serious tractioning, I would recommend the posture pump 1000. Also, for individuals with dizziness or difficulty extending their head, I recommend the posture pump because for extension you pump up a cushion under your neck creating the curvature- the same effect, just a different method.

Additional Reading Resources:

• How to End Neck Pain by Doing a Cervical Traction Program at Home
• Look up, down, turn your head and bend your ear to your shoulder
• The Different Types of Disc Problems That May Cause Neck Pain
• The Things that Make You Say “Oh my Neck !”…
• Remedy for A Stiff Neck
• Proven Neck Pain Cure that Works Wonders- without surgery or drugs

Effective Treatment for Cluster Headaches: Using Oxygen Therapy

In the December issue of the Journal of Medical Association- a new study shows that using oxygen therapy for patients who suffer from cluster headaches may be beneficial. Before we get into the study, let me explain a little bit about Cluster Headaches.

What Are Cluster Headaches? Cluster headaches predominately affect men. Often times, a cluster headache will appear on one side of the head. A patient may describe the pain as a burning, sharp and “steady” pain. The headaches occur repeatedly. Areas that are affected often include in and around the eye, one side of the face, one side of the neck, temples, head and the nose on the one side.

What are the Symptoms Associated with a Cluster Headache?

• *Swelling under or around they eye (may affect both eyes)
• *Excessive tearing
• *Redness in the eye
• *Rhinorrhea (runny nose) or one-sided stuffy nose (same side as the head pain)
• *Red, flushed face
• *Reduced Pupil Size and drooping eyelid on the side affected

The pain from a cluster headache swiftly intensifies within 5 to 10 minutes to a peak that typically persists for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Affected persons usually do not lie down during the attack because it usually worsens the pain.

What are the triggers that cause a cluster headache? Alcohol, stress, glare, eating particular foods. There is usually no family history of cluster headaches.

The JAMA Study This purpose of this recent study was to find out if high-flow inhaled oxygen was better than a placebo in the acute treatment of a cluster headache.

109 patients ages 18-70 who suffered with cluster headaches were recruited for the study. 57 patients suffered with episodic cluster headaches and 19 had chronic cluster headaches.

The patients were treated for 4 cluster headache attacks with high-flow Pure 100% oxygen or a placebo (normal air which contains 21% air). They inhaled this through a face mask for 15 minutes. Neither the patients nor the providers knew which odorless, colorless gas was being administered.

The researchers found a big difference. When asked to rate their pain relief, 78% of patients said they felt fine within 15 minutes of breathing high-flow pure oxygen. By contrast, only 20% of patients had the same response after being treated with high-flow regular air. Oxygen continued to outperform air at 30 and 60 minutes after the onset of the attack, according to the study. The researchers didn’t report any serious adverse effects.

“To our knowledge, this is the first adequately powered trial of high-flow oxygen compared with placebo, and it confirms clinical experience and current guidelines that inhaled oxygen can be used as an acute attack therapy for episodic and chronic cluster headache ," the authors wrote.

At the Neck pain support blog, I always try to provide my readers with treatment options that are non surgical in nature and ones that do not require taking medication. Many patients who suffer from cluster headaches do take drugs such as corticosteroids (for example, prednisone). Other have regular injections (for example, Imitrex) to deal with the symptoms. This study shows that Inhalation of 100 percent oxygen does provide relief for some cluster headache sufferers.

Source: High-Flow Oxygen for Treatment of Cluster Headache , Anna S. Cohen, PhD, MRCP; Brian Burns, MD, MRCP; Peter J. Goadsby, MD, PhD, DSc, FRACP, FRCP JAMA. 2009;302(22):2451-2457.
Picture Source: US National Library of Medicine

Additional Reading Resources:

• Migraine and Headache Relief with the Right Exercises
• The Right Pillow for Headaches
• Head Retraction Exercises- A Must to Correct Forward Head Posture
• The Neck Pain Relief Kit- Downloadable E Book

12-14 inches of Snow outside my window.....resisting going out there.....

The Different Types of Disc Problems That May Cause Neck Pain.

First, I thought I would maintain that there is a disc between all seven cervical vertebrae with the exception between C1 and C2. This disc material acts as a cushion and is surrounded by and contains nerve connections. For this reason, a disruption to this material can cause pain.

Let’s start with Disc Degeneration- this is age related breakdown of the disc. This is often synonymous with disc desiccation and is accompanied with fibrosis and osteophyte formation of adjacent vertebrae.

Disc Dessication is a disc that has fibrosed or hardened due to loss of water content. You see the disc is made up of an annulus (outer fibers which are slightly harder), then the inner nucleus which is more of a gel-like material. That being said, we can also get neck pain from a tear of the annulus. An annular tear refers to any disruption in the outer disc fibers. Besides a tear you can also have a rupture of the annulus fibrosis.

When someone has a herniated disc they have disc material that has broken out through the annulus. The nucleus pulposis is displaced beyond the margins of the vertebrae.

Next is a Disc Protrusion. It is basically another name for a herniated disc. There are two types; focal disc protrusions or broad based disc protrusions. Focal is when the disc protrusion is less than 25% of the disc circumference. A broad based protrusion is when the disk protrusion encompasses 25-50% of the disc circumference.

When the disc that has herniated out is more wide than it is long (meaning how far it is reaching outward) it is a vs. the next definition. Extruded Disc- this means the disc has come outward further than it is wide. Extruded discs can also be classified as sequestered or migrated discs.

Lastly, a Sequestered disc, also called a migrated disc, is when that extrusion breaks free from its connection to the rest of the disc material and is now a free fragment or “fragmented disc.”

Updated:4/28/2020

Image Source: Columbia Spine

Additional Reading Resources:

• How to Regain Your Life from Neck Pain
• Neck Pain resulting from a C5, C6, C7, or C8 Radiculopathy
• Treatment for a Typical Neck Pain Patient
• The Most Common Disc Herniation in the Neck: C6
• The Neck Pain Relief Kit
• How to Limit the Degeneration in your Neck and Other Joints

Look up, down, turn your head and bend your ear to your shoulder

You should be able to move your head and neck in certain positions. You may hear this at your next Dr's Appt during your physical exam: Look up, down, turn your head and bend your ear to your shoulder- if you are able to do all of these with no pain, then chances are your cervical spine range of motion is pretty good.

Your range of motion is the degree to which that area of the body moves. Today I want to focus on the the neck. The ranges of motion that are measured are: flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion, right rotation, and left rotation.

Flexion is the movement of the head and neck toward the chest; touching the chin down. Extension is to tilt your head back, as if looking at the ceiling. Lateral flexion is tilting the head to the side. For right lateral flexion, bring your right ear toward your shoulder. Do not move your shoulder, only move your head and neck. Rotation of the neck is turning your head. Do not turn your whole body, only turn your head to the side.

The normal ranges of motion for the neck are as follows:

• Flexion: 45-90 degrees
• Extension: 55-70 degrees
• Right/Left Lateral Flexion: 20-45 degrees
• Right/Left Rotation: 70-90 degrees.

Your doctor may examine these ranges to assess your cervical spine. An injury such as whiplash or muscle sprain will often inhibit your normal movement and cause pain when moving or at the end range. Your end range refers to the end point which you can flex, extend, laterally flex, or rotate to.

Updated: 4/28/2020

Additional Reading Resources:

• What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Whiplash Accident
• What to do when you have pain at the base of the skull
• How Does Whiplash Occur
• Strengthening Your Neck Muscles for Better Health
• The Neck Pain Relief Kit- Information, Stretches, Strengthening Exercises, Choosing the Best neck pillow for pain relief

Treatment for a “typical neck pain” Patient

A 42 year old, female patient presented with neck pain that had been present for 2 months. The pain came on gradually and without a specific cause. Her vocation is answering the phone for a busy mail order shoe store. She works 40 hours a week, 5 days per week and never weekends. Pain worsens with work, especially by the end of the 8 hour shift. Other pain producers include driving more than 30 minutes, reading more than 30 minutes, and washing hair with the head back. Pain improves with resting the head on a chair or pillow, moving the head in circles, 600 mg of Ibuprofen (repeated 3x/day), and a hot shower. She describes the pain as an ache with intermittent sharp pain that is becoming more frequent, “…when I move the wrong way.” There is no shooting pain into the arms or hands.

Does this sound familiar? This is a “typical” neck pain patient that presents to chiropractic offices around the world. What is different is that every person is unique and each case must be individually managed. For example, some patients “hate doctors” or are extremely anxious about going to any doctor. This might stem back to a prior “bad experience” with a health care provider at a very young age or perhaps even a more recent event. None-the-less, the approach used in this type of presentation may be best if it is very methodical, reassuring, and fully explained. A “low-force” type of manipulation may be best suited for this type of person as “cracking” of the neck may be too frightening for this patient. On the other hand, a different patient may not be happy unless there is a “good crack” and will not be satisfied until a chiropractic adjustment is performed.

It is equally important in both cases that a complete explanation of:

1. What is the condition causing the symptoms?
2. What can be done to treat it (“what are my treatment options”)?
3. Will the proposed treatment “fit” into my busy schedule, financial situation, and my philosophy about health care? Providing answers to these questions will usually end with the best results, as the patient will understand the issues most important to them and will have confidence that those issues are understood and appreciated by the doctor.

In both cases, management of this neck pain may include:

1. modifying the work station by switching to a head set rather than pinching a phone between the neck and shoulder
2. evaluating the patient at their work station to check for proper posture at the desk, proper computer monitor positioning, and making changes as needed
3. teaching the patient cervical range of motion exercises and other stretches that can be done at the work station, multiple times a day, that only take a minute or two
4. cervical traction (if this “feels good” when tested during the exam)
5. use of a cervical or contoured pillow such as the Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow
6. Neck / upper body strengthening exercises
7. the use of ice as needed
8. following anti-inflammatory diet (ie, a gluten-free diet)
9. nutritional supplementation, as indicated. Of course, most of the time, all of these approaches do not have to be included, but are options.

Neck pain, headaches, and upper back pain are conditions are commonly treated by chiropractors. If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service. We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.

Updated: 4/28/2020

Additional Reading Resources

• Having Proper Posture While at Your Workstation The Neck Pain Relief Kit
• New Job...New Neck Pain at the End of the Day...
• Remedy for A Stiff Neck
• End Neck Pain By Improving Neck Posture
• I am not able to go to the chiropractor or physical therapist for my neck pain

How to Stretch All the Neck Muscles: Part II

Recently, i posted a blog titled How to Stretch All the Neck Muscles. Here is a video that shows you how to do this stretch simply at home.



Addtional Reading Resources

How to Stretch all your Neck Muscles with one Basic Maneuver

My Trapezius really hurts..how do I find relief?

Neck Stretches and Strenghtening Exercises

How to Regain Your Life from Neck Pain

Cervical Brachial Syndrome causes Neck and Arm Pain

C B Syndrome or Cervical Brachial Syndrome or Cervicobrachial Syndrome is defined as neck and arm discomfort as a result of pressure on the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves in the neck and shoulder region that sends nerve supply to the arms and hands.

Essentially, nerves in the neck branch off and web together creating the brachial plexus (see diagram below). Off of the spinal cord comes nerve roots, and these nerves branch into smaller and smaller nerves. For examples, branches of a C1-T1 nerve roots create the brachial and radial nerves, which in turn send some supply to the biceps and forearm muscles.

When there is clear impingement of nerves of the brachial plexus we call it Cervical Brachial Syndrome. The cervical part of the name refers to the fact that something in the cervical spine (the neck) is putting pressure on these nerves.

Releasing the nerve pressure in turn releases inflammation and decreases muscle tension. This takes the pressure off the plexus, allowing adequate nervous system information and communication to the hands and arms.


Additional Reading Resources:

• DID YOU KNOW… “Hand And Arm Pain can be coming from your neck!”
• Neck Pain resulting from a C5, C6, C7, or C8 Radiculopathy
• Did You Know? Often Times Carpal Tunnel is Mistakenly Diagnosed...
• A Breakthrough Cure for Neck Pain that is Fast and Easy!
• Cervical Supports and Neck Traction

How to Stretch all your Neck Muscles with one Basic Maneuver

This is a great neck stretch and will basically help stretch your cervical paraspinals, trapezius, SCM (sternocleidomastoid), scalenes, and occipital muscles.
 
Here’s how you do it … start with a lateral neck stretch: Tilt your head to one side. Let’s stretch the left for example; tilt your right ear toward your right shoulder. You will feel the stretch.

Now, tilt your head slightly forward as well as laterally and you’ll feel the stretch more in the posterior neck. It’ll hit more rear traps, occipitals and paraspinal fibers.

Next, while laterally bending the neck, extend your neck back. Now you’ll stretch the SCM and scalenes. These muscles attach in the front of the neck which is why extending the head will stretch them. The opposite is true for muscles in just the back of the neck; flexing forward will stretch those muscles more.

Lastly, while laterally bending, flexing the neck forward or back, you can also turn your head. Looking towards or away from the right shoulder will also vary the stretches slightly, hitting slightly different neck muscle fibers.

Like other stretches, hold for 10-20 seconds in one position then move on to the next stretch. You can also stretch the other side. Stretch to tolerance, until you feel a good stretch. If anything causes pain or discomfort stop immediately. Using heat before or after stretching may help loosen and relax the muscles.

Additional Reading Resources

• Exercise For Neck Pain Works, Study Shows
• Chronic Pain Can Be Treated Better with Collaberative Treatments, study shows
• How Not Doing Weight Bearing Exercise Can Make Your Bones Unhealthy..
• Arc4life’s SpineWorx Posture System Helps Maintain Spinal Alignment
• Neck Exercises
• Free from Chronic Pain Without Drugs or Surgery
• A Breakthrough Cure for Neck Pain that is Fast and Easy!
• My Trapezius Really Hurts, How do I find Relief?

Hypnotizing your Pain away: The Secret of Mind over Matter

I watched the “secret” a few months ago and I remember there was an individual with pain or some other health issue that she apparently resolved using “the secret.”

How did she do it or what is the “secret” exactly? Well you probably want to watch or read The Secret to get the full understanding, but it’s basically the power of the mind or belief over the physical body.

Do I truly believe you can eliminate your neck pain simply by believing you have no pain? Not exactly, but anything’s possible, and I do believe it helps. I do believe taking your mind off of the pain helps. For example, when you go to work or at least get busy with a project of some sort the pain will seem less. Whereas if you have all day or night to only sit around and think about your pain, the pain will definitely seem worse.

For neck pain or spine pain, it tends to be mainly structured or mechanical in nature, but believing you can get better and keeping a positive attitude will work in your favor. I have seen this in our office. People who don’t want to get better and have a continuous negative attitude often don’t get better and fix their pain. I’ve been to seminars where people get completely hypnotized, and I can say that it truly works. It can be used to cure a fear of something, to help you believe something. That being said I think it’s worthwhile to use in your battle against pain. Here’s a link to the “secret,” and here’s a link to an ebook I found on hypnosis.

Additional Reading Resources

• How To Prevent Neck Pain At Your Desk
• Neck Exercises
• Cost of Not Getting A Good Night’s Sleep
• Why Do I Always Get A Crick In My Neck?
• Using the Power of Hypnosis to change something in your life
• Learn how to Do Hypnosis
• 11 things You Can Do To Bring More Joy To your Holiday Season
• The Secret by Rhonda Byrne