Neck Pain Support Blog

What Is OSA - Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

First off, what is obstructive sleep apnea?  This is a condition where one stops breathing while asleep.  This can actually happen multiple times a night, whether one knows it or not.  Basically airways become blocked leading to the inability to get adequate oxygen. According to NuVigil, up to 18 million Americans may suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

It is reported that some of the more common symptoms are sleepiness, snoring, night sweats, and a dry mouth, and even headache the next morning.

 

You often hear of people with this having to wear an oxygen mask.  This hooked to an oxygen machine that pumps oxygen so one can breathe.  This,of course, gets oxygen to that individual but doesn't fix the underlying problem.

 

If someone is much overweight, sleep apnea is easier brought on because that extra weight thickens up sinus passage ways also, lowering flow of air.  So, in this example, a sleep apnea machine is needed, but the underlying issue might be weight.

 

This condition also is greater if a family member has it, is more common in men, is also more common in African-Americans, Hispanics, and individuals of Pacific Island descent, and is more likely as one ages.

 

Accoding to WebMd, individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, may also have a high chance of heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, or diabtes.

 

All this being said, obstructive sleep apnea is a very serious condition. Stopage in breating can even result in death, so if you or your partner is showing possible signs of this condition, get it checked immediately.

 

Additional Reading:

How The Cervical Traction Pillow Can Help...

Are You A Snorer?

An important article I discovered.

Muscles That Are Often Hidden Neck Pain Culprits…

That levator scupulae is a muscle we may not even know about.  This muscle goes from the sides of the first four cervical vertebrae or transverse processes and connects to the top of the shoulder blade or scapula.  Pain of this muscle is usually where the neck and shoulder meet and along the upper inside of the shoulder blade. 

           

To stretch the levator muscle out, laterally tilt your head and turn slightly to the opposite direction you are laterally bending to.  It also helps to flex the head slightly forward.  To increase the stretch, reach up with the hand (on the side you are tilting towards) and give a gentle pull on the head laterally and slightly forward.  For example, to stretch the left levator- tilt you head right, turn or rotate back to the left 30-40 degrees, and pull your head slightly forward and to the right. 

           

The muscle most responsible for trigger points is your trapezius muscle.  This muscle goes from the back of the neck vertebrae out to the shoulder. It’s a bigger muscle than you think and covers a lot of area (really the entire upper back and back of the neck).  Partly, one of the reasons it’s most responsible for trigger points is because the size of the muscle.

           

To stretch the trapezius is similar to the levator except you turn the head in the same direction you are laterally flexing.  So to stretch the left trap: tilt or laterally bend the head to the right, turn your head 30-40 degrees to the right, and flex the head slightly forward.  Pain from this muscle is most often up the back of the neck on one side or the other, and sometimes up into the temple, orbit (eye), or angle of the jaw. 

           

The trigger points are located above the levator muscle in the belly of the muscle that is between your neck and shoulder.  You can often reach one arm across and squeeze the belly of this muscle where TRP’s are most often found.

 

Trigger points within muscles such as the Trapezius and Levator can be a major point of pain.  Hey, what is a “trigger point” by the way?  A trigger point is a knot in the muscle that is often a point of pain.  It is often seen in tight muscles.  Pressing on a trigger point can be very painful and it can cause referred pain - or pain in other areas of the body.  It is often a “good hurt”, painful when applying pressure but better after…

 

Apply pressure for 5-10 seconds and release.  Move on to other trigger points in the muscle.  Then repeat as necessary.  Putting ice on after this may feel good and relax the area because we may stir up the inflammation when doing this.

 

I should also mention when stretching hold for 10-20 seconds, then release.  When you go to do the stretch again you may feel you can stretch slightly further.  Do Not stretch to the point of pain, just so you feel the stretch.

 

Additional Reading Resources:

1. Levator Scapulae who?

2. Does Muscle Cream Really Work?

3. Muscle Related Neck Pain...

Can My Diet Predispose Me For Neck Pain?

Yes, Diet can play a role with your neck pain. It won't necessarily just be pain in the neck but pain elsewhere too.

A Poor Diet Can contribute to the following and more:

Arthritis or Degeneration - this can cause pain, stiffness, and sometimes inflammation. Just a lack of calcium and magnesium in the diet can cause weaker bones and a higher probability of fracture or bone spurring. Those jagged edges on arthritic bones are from the body's thirst for this calcium. It needs it and can't get it, so it pulls it from the bones.

Poor Sleep - this is often a culprit of neck pain. When you toss and turn constantly to sleep you can irritate the neck. Also, when the body craves sleep, it doesn't matter what position you end up in when you are finally tired enough to zonk out.

Not Healing As Quick As You Should - Don't forget that your body does a tremendous amount of healing when you are at rest. Poor rest and sleep can lead to something much worse than neck pain. If your body doesn't repair itself, that 1 or 2 day neck pain may turn into a weeks worth of pain.

Muscle pain or tension - certain nutrients help keep your muscles loose and hydrated. Others may do the opposite. Neck muscle spasm or strain can be very unpleasant. You may have constant pain, you can lose normal range of motion and more...

A diet rich in nutrients gives the body what it needs to function everyday at its best. A diet that lacks healthy vitamins and minerals creates a breakdown situation. Things like processed foods, soda, and too much sugar put your body in this state. Whereas getting enough nutrients from whole food sources like fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy, can give the body what it craves.

 

Additional Reading:

Can A Healthy Diet Prevent Neck Pain

How To Relieve Neck Pain With Diet

Neck Pain Sufferer's Story

 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Neck and Shoulder Pain

This video has Dr. Stephen Gardner, a neurosurgeon from SouthEastern Neurosurgical and Spine Institute describing the diagnosis and treatment of neck and shoulder pain.

 

Additional Reading:

-Get Rid of Neck and Shoulder Pain at the Neck Pain Relief Shop

-Neck and Shoulder Pain at the Mayo Clinic

-Do you wake up with Stiffness and Pain in the Shoulders?

-Getting the right pillow makes a difference in how you sleep

-I wake up with stiff and painful shoulders everyday...

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