Neck Pain Support Blog

When I do Neck Traction, I can Feel it in My Lower Back

Many of my readers get back in when they do neck traction. The question then becomes: Is it okay or normal to feel your lower back when you traction the neck? Or is it harmful to feel your lower back with neck traction?

Lets just review some anatomy. Your spinal cord is an extension of the brain that travels down to the upper lumbar spine. Your whole spine is not only connected by this but it made up of a series of spinal vertebrae.All are connected with discs between the bones. These are joints and allow you to move, bend and twist.

Is this normal to feel the lower body when stretching the upper body? The answer is yes because everything is connected. You should however feel most of the stretch in the neck. Make sure you are doing the stretch properly and you are positioned correctly. Most times if you feel it gently in the lower body that is okay. It just tells that something lower down needs to stretch too.

If however you feel worse or feel that the pain is substantial, it is recommended to lessen the traction force. If pain continues then stop the traction you are doing altogether. Consult with your Doctor to make sure you are doing traction correctly, or perhaps get examined if you have pain in a different area.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Neck pain Relief: Neck Traction Devices that Really WORK
• Functions of the Neck or Cervical Spine
• A Pillow that Works Well in Conjuction with Traction
• Anatomy of the Neck
• How to Use the Trac Collar for Neck Pain Relief

Related articles

Should We Plan Our Sleep

How Long will My Arc4life Cervical Traction Neck Pillow Last?

What is the difference between the traction pillow and the average pillow?

I Have a Disc Herniation in my neck, which pillow is best?

Pillow To Use after a Neck Injury such as Whiplash

Some Sleep Tips We Don't Always Think of

We've all heard the typical sleeping tips;Don't eat too late, decrease your caffiene, make your room comfortable. 

Here are some tips you don't always hear but are just as, if not more important.

1. Get some sun. Have you ever had a day where you are out in the sun all day, you feel good but you're exhausted? Put away those dark glasses for a change and get at least 20 minuts of good sun on your face.
2. Get fresh air. You bet, get out of the house. Go for a walk, breathe some non-recycled air. If not, at least open the doors and windows and some air flowing. Oh this makes me think of #1 on this list- , getting sunlight through the window doesn't count.You have to open windows or get outside. 
3. Exercise, and I really mean exercise. Going for a walk is great but let's try sweating too. Do a 10 minutes aerobics class also. Everyone's gym has one or just get it from the tv. Now that's physical exercise, mental exercise is good too. This leads to #4
4. Keep Busy. Yep get off of your keester. Make a to do list and start doing. I'll tell you I know some retirees that are busier than I am. Every day they are literally exhausted from the stuff they do. 

Additional Reading Resources:

• Choosing the Right Neck Pillow Can Make or Break Your Sleep
• Exercises for the Neck that help you stretch and strengthen
• What to do for a Pinched Nerve in the Neck?
• Sleep Deprivation and How it Affects More than Your Mind
• Choose the Best Neck Pillow

 

 

I Have a Disc Herniation in my neck, which pillow is best?

The pain from a disc herniation in the neck is real. Neck pain, Numbness and tingling, weakness in the arms or hands, even changes in sensation. I often get asked which pillow is best to help relieve these symptoms. How can one have the most comfortable sleep?

I have found the most success with the arc4life traction pillow. Really any neck pillow does help. The biggest thing is to put the spine back in alignment, especially restoring the natural c-curve in the neck.

Putting the neck back into alignment helps to hold the discs back in place; in fact,  pull thedisc back into place. When we have good alignment, the discs stay in place better. When the spine looks like a jigsaw puzzle, discs will move and easily bulge and herniate. So a neck pillow will hold the neck spine straight if you were to examine it from the front to back and the neck roll will support and maintain our neck's natural curve if examined from the side. 

Often, when a disc causes a problem it's because where it herniates ( or protrudes ) or bulges out is close to a nerve. Sometimes you can have multiple discs that are bulged but no pain - because they are not close to nerves. 

One more thing....nerves detect all sensations. You may not have pain but tingling and numbness. Any symptom does mean pressure somewhere however.

Also, a disc may not be hitting a nerve but over time if left in an unhealthy position with pressure on it...that nerve will degenerate and it breaks down to the point it won't heal. Either way, get a good neck pillow !!!

 Additional Reading Resources:

• Herniated Disk in the Neck
• Choose the Best Neck Pillow
• How to Treat a Muscle Spasm in Your Neck or Back
• How to Use the Traction Side of the Arc4life Cervical Linear Traction Pillow for maximum pain relief and better sleep

 

 

Good Ole' h20 !!

The positives from drinking more water are many. First, almost every reaction that takes place in our bodies uses H20 or one of the building blocks of H20 (hydogen or oxygen). Our body needs water on a daily basis to function. We cannot survive if we do not have water. 

Second, Water will also cleanse and flush the body. I still remember when my spouse told me he was told to drink a lot of water after he was prescribed a medication. That is a perfect example of flushing the body; the Dr wanted to flush out residual medication out of the body once it did its job. 

Third, water is a better substitute to one of the other beverage choices we often make.  You know, like that can of soda or sugary ice tea we grab out of the fridge. 

Fourth, water helps to hydrate the spinal discs. So in our neck for example between C2 to C7 we have discs that create space for the nerves to exit out of the neural foramen on each side of the spine. The discs are important because they act as shock absorbs so that we can move, twist, jump or run. 

Lastly, water helps to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the usual reason for pain because it puts pressure on nerves.  Rarely does a bone acutally put pressure on a nerve, but inflammation does. 

Keep in mind that by the time you are thirsty your body has been dehydrated for some time. Try to drink water regularly to keep your body adequately hydrated. 

Additional Reading Resources:

• Reducing Inflammation in your Body
• Maximizing Your Health
• Using the Arc4life Pillow for Relief of Neck pain
• Chronic Neck Pain
• Should We Plan Our Sleep?

 Related articles

Dancing with the Stars Derek Hough Having Surgery for Disc Herniation

A Closer Look at Neck Traction

Can You Help Me With My Cervical MRI?

How Long will My Arc4life Cervical Traction Neck Pillow Last?