Neck Pain Support Blog

How does Loss of the Neck Curve cause Problems and Neck Pain?

Your body works through a central computer. This computer is the brain. Essentially, messages travel from the brain down your spinal cord, and out the nerves to all parts of the body. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain. When our spine is in our normal, relaxed position, everything is working. Now, if we take out any curvature in the spine, we have a problem. This would be analogous to taking a relaxed rubber band and elongating it until you feel the resistance.

So, nice “C” curve in the neck equals relaxed cord. Elongating it out straight equals tension. This tension causes stress to the cord, and therefore inhibits nervous system function, which leads to neck problems. Many of us automatically think pain!, but this isn’t always the case. Neck issues or problems may mean headache, it may mean arm pain, maybe even mid-back problems. There are many unfortunate possibilities. The severity of the neck issue may depend on the amount of tension on the cord or tension on the nerves. Dr. Brieg actually won the Nobel Prize years ago because he proved how the loss of cervical curve can stretch the cord 5-7 cm and cause disease.

More specifically let's thank Swedish neurosurgeon Alf Brieg, nobel prize winner for this valuable information.



Picture Source: Erik Dalton, Freedom from Pain Institute

Additional Reading Resources

• Can Forward Head Posture Cause Pain?
• How to Use the Traction Side of the Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow for maximum pain relief and the better sleep
• How to Choose the Best Neck Pillow
• Vibration Massage: Relaxes the Muscles but Stimulates the Nervous System too!
• If You Have Forward Head Posture, What Other Posture Might You Have?

How Maintaining your Spine Angles helps to Maintain your Health!

Your spine has a “C” curve in the neck, then the spine changes angles and has a bigger “C” angle going the other way, and then back to a “C” type angle of the low back. In the dorsal spine or mid-back and in the lumbar spine or low back the angle is more of an elliptical shape.

Keep in mind that the whole spine works together and that if one of these angles is disrupted, then the others will be too. Often times, the start of this disruption comes from the neck. We lose some of that curve and the head is shifted forward off its center of gravity.

An example of how this then affects the low back is that we often extend our back so that our head and eyes are straight ahead versus facing downward. This, in turn, changes the lower back angle or curvature.

In the upper back or mid-spine the curvature tends to increase or “hunch up” following the forward cervical spine. In severe cases this is called a “dowagers hump".

Improper angles in the spine equals nerve pressure. Nerve pressure eventually leads to pain. Try to maintain your posture and it will keep your body healthy. A great neck posture maintaining pillow is the Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow.

Additional Reading Resources

• Improve your Posture with the Posture Corrector
• Why Posture Is A Window To Your Health
• Why Slouching is So Bad
• Posture, Exercise, and Rehab Products are Vital to Feeling Better and Getting Pain Relief
• Dreaded "Hunchback" - How To Correct That Area Of Your Upper Back That Pops Out And Looks Funny!

Neck Pain Episode- I need the right pillow to get me through the pain…

If you have recently had an acute neck pain episode, were involved in a car accident, or hurt your neck with a violent sneeze- then you may want to have a more "accomodating" pillow to sleep on. Treatment may include icing your neck, going to the chiropractors office, having tens electrotherapy treatment etc. Your goal should be to stabilize and accommodate the condition before moving forward. Treating your neck with some some extra TLC is important. The pillow you use here is going to be soft, forgiving and overall should make you as comfortable as possible.

As the initial intense pain goes away, you will probably want to work on correcting the problem. Support the treatment to regain 100% function in your neck is vital. Again, chiropractic, traction- maybe even some heat therapy at this stage. The pillow you use at this stage will have more support than the acute stage stage. You want to work on correcting the problem in your neck. Orthopedic pillows help tissues and muscles to heal. In preparation for the maintenance stage of care- this type of pillow can also help to alleviate headaches, neck muscle and joint strains, arthritis and whiplash discomfort and help restore proper nerve function. Having a supportive pillow is key.

Finally, the last stage of healing, you will want to maintain what you have achieved: full function, full range of motion and no more pain. Your Dr will probably prescribe exercises that include stretching and strengthening. This is when you can get maximum support in your neck and be comfortable with it. Pillows ideal for this Maintain Stage should ensure continued good health by helping preserve the natural curvature of the neck and spine. In fact, most people discover that once the normal curvature of the neck is restored, they crave the comfort of maximum support - the reason supportive pillows have grown more popular.

So what kind of pillow can you use for all three stages of care after a neck injury or episode of neck pain? Believe it or not, there are different types of adjustable neck pillows out there. You can use a convenient air pump with the air core tricore adjustable neck pillow. Increase or decrease the support with a hand pump.

Another great adjustable neck pillow is the Core Deluxe water pillow. That's right: Water ! Water instantly responds to changing body positions at night and therefore make a very comfortable neck pillow. You can also change the amount of support for your neck. IF you want a soft support pillow, decrease the amount of water in the displacement panel. If you want firm support, add water. There is also a built- in neck lobe that helps to keep your head and neck in their most natural position. This water pillow is very versatile and fully adjustable to fit every patient. Highly Recommended !


Additional Reading Resources

• The Right Neck Pillow for Herniated Disc
• Use my Neck Contour Pillow or Use My Regular Pillow?
• Why Adequate Neck Support While You Sleep Is Vital To Stop Neck Pain
• Pinched Nerve in the Neck
• Choosing the Best Neck Pillow for the Best Sleep Possible

The Best Ways to Keep your Mind in Shape

We have all heard the benefits of eating healthy and exercising regularly. By taking care of your body in this way, you are less at risk for injury and disease later in life. However, our brains are the same way. Without stimulation and challenge, your mind begins to soften and memory loss usually occurs.

Most people once they’ve completed school, don’t do much in their day to day lives to actively challenge their brain. This, along with a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s or poor cardiovascular health, means you are at a higher risk for memory problems.

So to stay sharp, you must exercise your brain just like you would your muscles. This could mean spending more time reading books instead of watching TV, or doing daily crossword or Sudoku puzzles. Doing math problems is another way to stay sharp, so next time your kids ask for help with their homework, don’t hesitate to do so!

Remember though, the entire body works together, so keeping your mind healthy without also getting some exercise and eating healthy foods consistently won’t do nearly as much good. Also, our brain is the main control center, so keeping the brain and the rest of the nervous system free from interference helps on many levels.

And lastly, don’t forget that the spinal cord is an extension of the brain. The 1st part of the spine your cord runs through is the neck or cervical spine. Keeping the neck healthy may have more benefit on the mind than we know!

Additional Reading Resources

• Whiplash Can Cause More than Just Neck Pain- in 20% of cases Brain Injury as well, Study Shows
• Study Shows that Even a Small Amount of Meditation can Improve Cognitive Skills
• Sleep Better and Boost Brain Health with Herbs
• ChiroKlenz Natural Detoxifying Herbal Tea
• Increasing Your Memory- Power Thinking Program

Prevent and Reverse Osteoporosis with the Right Nutritional Supplements

Recently, I was watching a documentary about hospitalizations in the US, and I heard something quite alarming- an estimated 25% of patients who suffer from a hip fracture due to osteoporosis die within the first year due to related complications.

Stats show that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men over 50 develop osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis- old age- hip fracture- death- That is actually quite scary because just a simple fall or a slip can cause bones that weak or brittle to break- specifically the neck of the femur and the bones in the back.

But the great thing about osteoporosis is that something can be done.  Nutritionally and physically it is possible to reverse bone loss and also prevent osteoporosis in the first place.

1. Supplementation: this is the key here- 1500 mg Ca (Calcium), 1200-1400 iu Vitamin D, and 60 mg ICARIIN Flavinoid has been shown to prevent osteoporosis and helps patients with osteoporosis increase their bone density.  Other nutrients important to support bones include: Mg (500 mg), Silica (2-3 mg), Vitamin C (1000 mg), Boron (1.5 mg), Cu (2 mg), Zinc (15 mg), and B-50 complex.
2. Having a good diet is important. Getting good sources of Calcium and Vitamin D are very Important. Also, avoiding things like carbonated drinks, processed foods and large amounts of Caffeine is key.
3. Do weight bearing exercises.
4. Regular chiropractic adjustments are important to help keep your range of motion normal and remain pain free.

Studies show that proper supplementation can reverse bone loss:

• In a 2007 study, Hitz showed that supplementation of 1550 mg of Calcium (from Calcium Carbonate) plus 1400 iu of Vitamin D increase bone density in men and women over 50, who had already had a bone fracture before. Specifically, they gained the bone density in the neck of the femur and in the spinal bones.
• Also in 2007, Zhang et al. showed that supplementation with 60 mg of ICARIIN can increase bone density in women who are post-menopausal.  After supplementing for two years- bone mineral density increased a the hip (femoral neck) and lower spine (lumbar) by 1.6% and 1.3% in the ICARIIN group, and decreased 1.8% and 2.4% in the placebo group.

Source:“Osteoporosis” by Dr. James Meschino.September, 2010.Dynamic Chiropractic

Additional Reading Resources

• How Not Doing Weight Bearing Exercise Can Make Your Bones Unhealthy..
• The Spine Worx Posture Align for Better Posture
• The Dreaded Hunchback - How to Correct That Area of Your Upper Back That Pops Out and Looks Funny!
• How to Have Proper Neck Posture
• The Power Of Vitamin D: Better Sleep and A Better Mind

I Need to get some Sleep and some Rest...Help!

Millions of people suffer from insomnia, and even more suffer from getting a less than restful night’s sleep.  If you have difficulty in falling asleep, wake up often in the night or feel excessively groggy when you do wake up, these tips could be a great help in getting you back into a healthy sleeping pattern.

Your body has an internal clock that recognizes when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake up.  Your “circadian rhythm” works best when kept on a consistent schedule.  This means that as much as possible, weekdays and weekends, it’s best to go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time.  That way your body gets into a habit for sleep, and it is no longer a problem falling asleep.

It’s also important to have no distractions in your bedroom.Having a laptop by the bed, and your blackberry always on next to the bed, and eating in the bed, and watching TV in bed can confuse you.Then when you are actually ready for rest, your mind is preset to be active while in bed, because usually you are engaged with activity.  It’s also good to stop exercising or drinking alcohol at least a half hour before going to sleep, as these will effect your metabolism and make sleeping more difficult.

Another great tip for a restful night’s sleep is going regularly to get adjusted by your chiropractor.Having your neck, shoulders, back, and hips in line will help to keep the stress off of your joints while you’re sleeping, which will mean you wake up well-rested and without pain.

Additional Reading Resources:

• How to Find the Best Mattress and Pillow for You
• When Lack Of Sleep Can Be Deadly
• Study Shows Why Our Sleep Routine Is So Important
• Choosing the Right Neck Pillow for the Best Sleep Possible
• To nap or Not To Nap? Study Shows Students Perform Better with A Nap