Neck Pain Support Blog

I like Firm Neck Pillows ! Check out the newest edition to the arc4life family

Recently arc4life added a new pillow to their family of neck pillows under the traction pillow category. The arc4life traction pillow has been a favorite among many people who are suffering from neck pain and other conditions. Since 2003, the arc4life cervical traction neck pillow has helped patients with

• neck pain from a herniated disk or a bulging disk
• cervical radiculopathy
• occipital neuralgia
• forward head posture
• military neck or loss of cervical curvature in the neck
• neck arthritis
• degeneration in the cervical spine

The main goal of this neck-pillow is too help align the cervical spine in its most natural alignment. This neck pillow accomplishes this beautifully- with two sides  for one to sleep on. One side gives the neck a gentle stretch while sleeping, the other side supports the neck in its most natural form, allowing the c curve to be supported. 

Over the years, there has been a demand for a firmer neck pillow. Thus was created: the extra firm arc4life cervical linear traction neck pillow. This neck pillow has approximately 25% more polyester fiber fill in this version of the neck pillow. Thus, allowing for a firmer support pillow.

Keep in mind that this pillow is not for everyone. It is specifically made for patients who want a firmer neck pillow. A pillow with less "give". The pillow will not collapse as much as regular fiber pillow. For more details about this special order pillow, see the link below. 

Check it out on Arc4ife's Sister Site dedicated to Neck Pain Relief: The Neck Pain Relief Shop > Traction neck Pillows

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone,

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Additional Reading Resources:

• Choose the Best Neck Pillow for your Needs
• Firm Neck Pillows: The Tri Core Family of Neck Pillows
• Keeping Your Head Cool while you Sleep
• No More Neck Pain: Simple Tips to Keep a Healthy Neck
• The original arc4life cervical traction neck pillow: Arc 4 Life

 

Top 3 Tips for Chronic Neck Pain Sufferers

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:

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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?

X-ray shows Degeneration in My Neck? What are My treatment options?

About one to two times a week, I am asked this question by our customers and our patients. My cervical spine x-ray shows degeneration at level C4/C5 (or another level), what are my treatment options? What products do you recommend?

In most cases the patient has already seen their primary care physician and have been recommended some kind of medication (painkillers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants). For some patients, this is all they need, and they get the relief that they are looking for. But not everyone falls into this boat. Well what else then? Taking medication for the rest of your life may not be the answer. It may be great for short term pain relief and some long term pain relief, but in the future, side effects can arise from prolonged use of these meds. 

Degenerative "disease" includes the changes associated with spinal wear and tear or age. For some patients, this degeneration may appear on the x-ray a lot earlier in their life. This may be due to a neck injury (for example from a car accident ), whiplash type accident or poor neck posture. Upon having an  x-ray, loss of disc space between the bones, changes in the bone, changes in the cervical alignment and bone spurs may show up. There are also phases of degeneration (Phase I- IV). That is a heavy topic we will talk about in another blog post. 

Degeneration in the neck means a decrease in neck range of motion- that is our ability to turn our head, flex our head forward and back, and move to both sides. In terms of real symptoms it may present itself as neck pain, stiffness, difficulty getting into the right position for sleeping. It can also mean weakness with numbness and tingling in the upper extremity. Degenerative changes in the spine can also be referred to cervical spondylosis.

One of keys to treating degeneration is motion. They say, "motion is life". This is because all moving parts should be able to move. All bones in the spine have a certain degree of motion. This allows for water and other nutrients to get into the joints. It also allows for inflammation and waste products to escape.  When inflammation accumulates, this may account for a lot of the pain and symptoms that may arise. 

Stretching and exercises, chiropractic treatments and therapy, muscle massage and increased hydration (drinking more water) helps keeps this joints lubricated and mobile. These are the best natural treatments that can and should be done to slow the arthritic process from occuring. Doing activities such as yoga, and tai chi, and swimming also help to keep motion in the joints. 

The first product we would recommend is the arc4life cervical traction neck pillow. This helps to restore normal neck alignment taking off pressure off of nerves, thus reducing pain. 

I would also recommend some sort of hot and cold pack. A hot pack can be used to increase mobility and reduce pain. A cold pack, can be used to reduce inflammation and lessen pain. I would recommend a hot and cold pack that fits around the neck such a 6"x20" (cervical therapy pack) or a 9"x16" (tri-sectional therapy pack) which also covers the upper back and shoulders.

Another great recommendation is a tens unit which can dissipate the inflammation and relax the muscles. You can use a pain relief gel such as biofreeze or sombre (a warming gel).

Finally, another tool for muscle massage at home is a backKnobber which can work on trigger points in the muscle. 

Additional Reading Resouces:

• Dissecting Spinal Degeneration in The Neck
• How to Limit the Degeration in Your Neck and Other Joints
• Treating Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Cervical Spine Naturally
• I’ve Got: Spondylosis, Spondylolithesis, Subluxation, Kyphosis, etc… What Can I Do To Get Rid Of It?
• “The Damp, Rainy Weather Seems To Make My Neck Pain Worse.”