Yahoo Question:
What are the best stretches and exercises to help relieve chronic pain in my neck? I went to the doctor and he said I have degeneration in my spine but my spinal cord is not injured or at risk. I do go to a chiropractor but it seems to just help episodically. I need a better plan...
I would recommend that you see your chiropractor. He or she has a history on your neck pain; doing a history, exam and perhaps x-rays lets the chiropractor know what is going on with your neck. They are in a great position to give you specific neck exercises or stretches.
Three Tips to Help you Deal with Chronic Neck Pain:
- Stay Hydrated - Drinking more water aids in hydrating the cervical neck muscles and discs of the spine. This will in turn open up the holes the nerves travel out of. What is the daily recommended for water: 6-8 glasses or half your body wt in ounces for 7-10 days but make it a habit to always drink more water.
- Do neck exercises: Half neck rolls and lateral head tilts - this will help loosen joints, and relax the muscles. The tight muscles and immobile joints will benefit
- Use a special cervical support neck pillow: I recommend the arc4life cervical traction neck pillow or the arc4life linear gravity neck pillow because they will offer your neck the right support that it needs for optimal alignment in the neck. This can overall lessen neck pain from a chronic condition.
Additional Reading Resources:
- Understanding the arc4life traction neck pillow
- Neck Exercises: neck stretches for chronic pain
- Natural Pain Relief for the Neck that does not Include Surgery
- How To Check Your Own Neck Posture
- The Neck Pain Relief Shop
Source: What are the best stretches and exercises to help relieve chronic pain in my neck?