Neck Pain Support Blog

Tips to Prevent Neck Pain

Neck pain and back pain are very common. You have about a 90% chance of getting a severe episode of back or neck pain at some point in your life. Because of this fact, it is vital you know how to prevent neck and back pain as well as help get rid of it if it occurs.

Here are some ways to prevent or stop neck pain:

1. Try to maintain good neck posture- be aware of forward head posture and shoulders rolling forward.
2. Stay hydrated- this especially helps your discs and muscles.
3. Sleep with a neck pillow to help maintain or restore your neck curve and alignment.
4. Do regular stretching and exercise for joint and muscle health.
5. Avoid strenuous neck positions over long periods of time.

Additional Reading Resources

• How to Use the Neck Traction Collar for Neck Pain Relief
• What is Cervical Radiculopathy? And How Can My Neck Pillow Help?
• Neck Exercises
• Having Good Neck Posture
• The Linear Gravity Neck Support Pillow

Decrease muscle pain by eating Ginger Everyday !

One of the main ingredients is Indian food is Ginger root. Fresh ginger root is a part of many Indian dishes, so I am very familiar with it. I also like to make ginger tea which is great for digestion.

Recently I read about a new study published in The Journal of Pain , by researchers at University of Georgia which showed that that daily ginger consumption eases muscle pain by 25 Percent. In particular muscle pain that is caused by exercise.

While ginger had been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in rodents, its effect on experimentally-induced human muscle pain was largely unexplored, stated Patrick O'Connor, a professor in the College of Education's department of kinesiology. Dr. O'Connor wanted to see if heating ginger had an effect on its pain-relieving effects. He looked at how these two forms of ginger  had an effect on muscle pain in this study.

O'Connor along with other collaborators directed two studies examining the effects supplementing with two types of ginger on muscle pain: 11 days of 1) raw ginger and 2) heat-treated ginger.

Participants in the studies, 34 and 40 volunteers, respectively, consumed capsules containing two grams of either raw or heat-treated ginger or a placebo for 11 consecutive days.

On the eighth day they performed 18 extensions of the elbow flexors with a heavy weight to induce moderate muscle injury to the arm. Arm function, inflammation, pain and a biochemical involved in pain were assessed prior to and for three days after exercise.

The studies showed that daily ginger supplementation reduced the exercise-induced pain by 25 percent, and the effect was not enhanced by heat-treating the ginger.

"The economic and personal costs of pain are extremely high," said O'Connor.

"Muscle pain generally is one of the most common types of pain and eccentric exercise-induced muscle pain specifically is a common type of injury related to sports and/or recreation (e.g., gardening). Anything that can truly relieve this type of pain will be greatly welcomed by the many people who are experiencing it."

Source: Science News Share Blog Cite Print Email BookmarkDaily Ginger Consumption Eases Muscle Pain by 25 Percent, Study Suggests

Additional Reading Resources:

• Natural Pain Relief for the Neck that does not include surgery
• Walk your pains away
• Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain Through Exercise
• Neck Exercises
• How to Treat a Stiff Neck

The Stages of Soft-Tissue Healing For The Neck

    A soft-tissue injury is just what it sounds like:  an injury to non-bone tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons.  The most common types of soft-tissue injuries are neck strains or sprains, which is the tearing of these soft-tissues (a strain is a tear in the muscle or tendon, a sprain is a tear in the ligaments).  The healing process for these types of injuries is the same, and there are three phases. 

   

First is the inflammatory stage.  When the injury first occurs, swelling will occur often accompanied by neck pain.  This stage usually lasts 48-72 hours, and to help deal with it, remember the acronym RICE:  Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.  These are things at home you can do to treat the injury, but you should also call your doctor right away, as he or she might have more treatments and therapies to help reduce the pain.  When I first learned “RICE”, I had an ankle sprain.  I was told to sit and rest, put my foot up, and put a cold compress on it.  The neck or any other part of the body is the same: put a cold compress (wrap a cold pack around the back of the neck or neck and shoulder), rest and avoid stress, and elevate (for the neck – keep good posture, some may use a neck collar to keep it up and relieve nerve pressure).

   

The second phase is the repair phase, which usually lasts around six to eight weeks.  This is when the soft-tissue begins to repair itself and regain its functionality.  Treatment at this time is more passive, but you should speak with you doctor about what neck stretching and neck exercises would help your healing process. 

   

The final stage is the remodeling stage.  This is the longest of the stages, usually starting six weeks after the injury, and lasting for as long as two years.  In this stage your body is increasing the strength of the injured soft-tissue in the neck, and continuing to see your doctor during this time for treatment can be helpful. 

   

Your body has an incredible ability to heal itself after injury.  However, you need to help it along the way by speaking with you r doctor or therapist  and following his or her instructions.  By talking to you doctor directly after your neck injury, and working together on your healing, you will achieve the best possible results for being pain free and having full range of motion.

Study shows that Strengthening the Neck Improves Quality of Life for Chronic Neck Pain Sufferers

Chronic Neck pain is pain that an individual deals with for long term. It has been shown in the past that it is associated with a decrease in neck muscle strength. How does chronic neck pain affect ones health life?

While neck strength training has been shown to be effective in improving neck muscle strength and reducing neck pain, “health-related quality of life” or “HRQoL” among patients with neck pain has been reported as an outcome in only two short-term exercise intervention studies.

Thus, reports on the influence of a long-term neck strength training intervention on HRQoL among patients with chronic neck pain have been not been completed. This study reports the effect of one-year neck strength training on HRQoL in females with chronic neck pain.

In this study, 180 female office workers, ages 25 to 53 with chronic neck pain were put into two groups:

• Group 1: a strength training group (STG) - this group performed high-intensity isometric neck strengthening exercises with an elastic band
• Group 2: endurance training group (ETG)- performed lighter dynamic neck muscle training
• Group 3: control group (CG)- received a single session of guidance on stretching exercises

Health-related quality of life was assessed using the generic 15D questionnaire at baseline and after 12 months.

The study found that training led to statistically significant improvement in the 15D total scores for both training groups (groups 1 and 2), whereas no changes occurred for the control . The STG improved significantly in five of 15 dimensions, while the ETG improved significantly in two dimensions.

Conclusions: One year of either strength or endurance training seemed to moderately enhance the Health related quality of life. Neck and upper body training can be recommended to improve health related quality of life of females with neck pain if they are motivated for long-term regular exercise.

Source: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2010, 8:48 by Petri SaloArja HakkinenHannu KautiainenJari Ylinen

Additional Reading Resources

• Chronic Neck Pain
• Study Shows that Chronic Neck Pain can Cause Respiratory Problems
• Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain Through Exercise
• Walk Your Pains Away…the story of Ellen Phillps
• Neck Stretches

Tiger Woods suffers from bulging disc pain

Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers ever just cannot seem to get out of the tv spotlight. Now because of possible neck injury at the Players Championship in Florida this week.

Woods suddenly withdrew from the golf competition because of neck pain that he diagnosed as a  bulging disc in his neck.

Woods was so frustrated that he slammed his golf shoe to the floor while taking questions from three reporters.

"I've been playing through it," Woods said of pain he first felt before the Masters. "I can't play through it anymore." Stated a frustrated Woods, as he slammed his golf shoe to the floor while talking to reports. He stated that playing in the tournament did not help his pain at all.

There is speculation that his neck injury may be due to the infamous November 27 incident that rocked the golfing world and Tiger Woods World. Woods was taken to the hospital after driving his SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree, the accident that set off shocking revelations of extramarital affairs that led to his five-month break from golf.

Asked at Augusta what injuries he suffered that night, Woods said, "I had a busted-up lip and a pretty sore neck, and that was it."

Woods further said that he plans to have an MRI next week. A cervical MRI is the gold standard for finding out if there is a disc herniation present. He said he was having a hard time with the pain, and that there was a tingling sensation on his right side down to his fingers. As he was driven from the golf course, Woods continually squeezed his right hand and released his fingers.

"I might have a bulging disk," he said.

Woods started the final round 10 shots out of the lead and was 2-over par through six holes. He struggled on just about every hole, finding a bunker off the first tee, coming up short on several approach shots and pushing several tee shots right.v He said pain was bothering him from the time he took the club back until he finished his swing.

"Setting up over the ball is fine, but once I start making the motion, it's downhill from there," he said.

Woods did not look natural out on the golf course. At times he stretched and rolled his neck between shots over the last three days, when he produced some good golf along with some shots that didn't remotely resemble the golf player that we know him to be.

Source: Woods withdraws, may have bulging disk in back

Picture Source: On Par

Additional Reading Resources

• The Most Common Disc Herniation in the Neck: C6
• Neck Pain resulting from a C5, C6, C7, or C8 Radiculopathy
• Understanding A Disc Problem with a Jelly Donut: Herniated Disc or Slipped Disc?
• The Right Neck Pillow for Herniated Disc in the Neck
• The Different Types of Disc Problems That May Cause Neck Pain
• Severe Neck Pain From a Herniated Disc: What are Your Treatment Options?

The Neck Pain Associated with Occipital Neuralgia

Ever get pain in the back on your head and neck, specifically at the base of the neck? This muscles here are called the suboccipital muscles collectively, and when there is pain here, the term is occipital neuralgia.

What is the Occipital Neuralgia?
Occipital neuralgia refers to having pain and muscle spasms that come specifically from the base of the skull, the subocciptal area. The pain can radiate to the back, front, and side of the head, as well as behind the eyes. The location of pain is related to the areas supplied by the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which run from the area where the spinal column meets the neck, up to the scalp at the back of the head. These occipital nerves come from the the area of the second and third vertebrae of the neck

What Causes Occipital Neuralgia?
Commonly this condition occurs more in women. Causes include:

• A trauma to the head and the neck, such as whiplash, or a direct hit
• pinching of the nerves by overly tight neck muscles
• faulty neck posture: frequent lengthy periods of keeping the head in a forward and downward position
• spinal column compression
• nerve lesions(due to compression of the nerves)
• localized infections
• blood vessel inflammation
• gout
• diabetes
• blood vessel inflammation
• osteoarthritis (due to compression of the nerves)
• local tumors (due to compression of the nerves)

Commonly, the nerves are inflamed and sensitive because they are trapped within the muscles through which they pass. Muscle spasm and pain are often associated with nerve entrapment, which causes localized pain, spasm and muscle cramping.

Symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia

• Headaches that are localized or following a "ram's horn" pattern on the side of the head, often starting in the upper neck or base of the skull (can be one-sided or on both sides)
• Pain in the scalp
• Pain in the forehead
• Scalp that is tender to the touch, often hypersensitive. Even brushing ones hair can painful
• Pain or pressure behind the eyes (Eyes are very sensitive to light especially when the headache is present)

What is the treatment options for Occipital Neuralgia?

• oral medications that are designed to reduce inflammation
• muscle relaxers
• local nerve blocks and injections of steroids directly into the affected area.
• physical therapy
• head and neck massage
• moist heat
• trigger point therapy of the suboccipital muscles
• using a supportive pillow at night
• traction for the neck

Recently, I came across a patients forum that discussed treatment options for occipital neuralgia. Choosing the right neck pillow for this condition can be tricky because it is very easy to set of the occipital nerves because they are so sensitive.

Best Pillow for Occipital Neuralgia

I too was looking for a pillow for the last 4 months. I randomly ordered the cervical traction neck pillow thinking it would be another pillow that truely wouldn't be comfortable. I could not believe how well it worked. I did not have to worry about the pressure building on the base of my head with this pillow. Albeit it does take time to get used to this pillow as it is correcting your posture.
Give it a try and I hope it works for you too!

- PostureDude 04/11/2010 www.mdjunction.com/forums
Source: NINDS Occipital Neuralgia Information Page

Additional Reading Resources

• Did you know? … The Vast Majority of Headaches Stem from your Neck!
• The Right Pillow for Headaches
• Use my Neck Contour Pillow or Use My Regular Pillow?
• Neck Posture
• Anatomy of the Neck
• How to End Neck Pain by Doing a Cervical Traction Program at Home

Severe Headache, Neck Pain, Muscle Spasms: Symptoms of Hemorrhage for Brett Michaels

One of the shows I have been following this year is the Celebrity Apprentice, and Brett Michaels is one of the stars this season. This animated, and creative rocker is actually doing quite well on the show.

Bret has been in the news recently because he suffered a hemorrhage, specifically, a brain hemorrhage called a “subarachnoid brain hemorrhage”. This type of hemorrhage causes bleeding in the fluid filled spaces around the base of the brain. The Poison Frontman was in the hospital after having an appendectomy.

The cause of the bleed has not been identified, according to Dr. Joseph Zambraski, chief of cerebrovascular surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, where Michaels was treated.

According to Dr. Zambraski, "Patients who don't have anything identified in their angiograms tend to do well," Zambraski said. "This is one of those rare instances in medicine where we're actually pleased not to be able to find what caused the problem."

Bret described the experience in People Magazine as one of of extreme pain, he said “sounded like a handgun, like it literally popped."

What are the symptoms of a brain hemorrhage?

• severe headache that starts suddenly and is often worse near the back of the head
• decreased consciousness and alertness
• difficulty or loss of movement or feeling
• mood and personality changes
• muscle aches
• neck pain
• shoulder pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• photophobia (light bothers or hurts the eyes)
• seizure
• stiff neck
• vision problems

Brett will receive therapy and will probably continue to suffer from severe pain for another seven to 10 days as blood pooled under his brain dissolves, said Zabramski, chief of cerebrovascular surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. Bret said, "It made my mind go almost blank. My neck tensed up. I couldn't move my head at all." He also reported realizing he was slurring his words.

Treatment of a hemorrhage involves repairing the place where the bleeding occurred, relieving pressure on the brain and strict control of blood pressure. Strict bed rest may be advised. Brett will have to avoid activities that can increase pressure inside the head such as bending over, straining, and suddenly changing position.

He told People Magazine, he feels "lucky to be alive".

We wish Brett a speedy and full recovery.

Source: Bret Michaels says hemorrhage felt like gunshot, the Associated Press May 6, 2010

Additional Reading Resources:

• Remedies for A Stiff Neck
• Causes of Neck Pain
• Neck Pain Relief Kit
• Headaches with neck pain: A Likely pair