Neck Pain Support Blog

8 Things That Cause Pain On A Daily Basis -

1. Your Pillow - You sleep on it every night; plus you're often there for 33% of your life or more.  Keep in mind that a good neck pillow loses its support after awhile too.  The same goes for the mattress; if you're waking up everyday in pain and all the other variables are accounted for...

2. You Computer Screen - They have figured out it should be a certain distance and height etc...  Don't even talk about screen type or tilt...  Bottom line is that your neck and head should be fairly straight and one should look slightly down to the middle of the screen.  Your feet should be firmly planted on the ground and lower arms should rest comfortably on the desk with hands on the keyboard.

3. Your Purse or Wallet - I've seen a lot of big wallets, try to tell me sitting on that and not throwing off your pelvis and lower spine.  Remember, the entire spine connects and works as one; something way off kilter in the back is going to hit the neck eventually.

4. Your Chair - I had this computer chair once that wouldn't hold its height adjustment.  For a couple day I just couldn't figure out whey I was looking up at the screen.  Then one day I had neck pain after working on the computer.  Needless to say, I very quickly got rid of that chair and have been neck pain free ever since.

5. Your phone - We don't necessarily hold our phones between our ear and shoulder anymore; that's eliminated some neck strains.  But we do more often, look down to text, or read something...

6. Your Shoes - as I was saying, the whole spine works as one.  Your feet are your base and inadequate footwear can be the reason for lots of pains.

7. Your Activities - do you have pain after a certain activity each time.  The pain can be from that activity.  It's kind of like sleep, if your pain is every morning then it's probably your pillow or mattress.

8. Bad Diet - this can be a bigger issue that you think.  More and more people have different allergies or sensitivities than we might think.  Is that going to cause us pain?  It might. or it might not be directly, but you can bet it doesn't help.

 

Now you've got eight major causes of pain.  Do your best to eliminate them if you can and you'll lead a much happier, pain-free life.

 

Additional Reading:

1. Neck Pain Relief

2. Heat or Ice can give immediate relief

3. What Causes PAIN?

Twelve Ways To Get Better Sleep!

Many of us can get more sleep or at least better sleep.  Sleep is too important; our bodies do much of our healing while at rest.

 

1. Make sure your room is dark as possible - I've seen a lot of rooms with street lights glowing the whole space up, phones that go off, cable boxes, computers, etc...
2. Try to wind down before bed - yes that means to put away the cell!  Try to have some down time before bed for reading or maybe meditating...
3. Don't eat or drink right before bed, caffeine and alcohol especially - Really it means anything besides water.  You may even limit that as it gets later because you don't want to have to get up three times to pee.
4. Set the alarm for a normal amount of time - By normal, I mean 6-8 hours.  Most of us sleep about seven hours.  There's going to the bathroom, checking on the kids, etc.(time where you are awake).
5. Physically tire yourself out - Especially aerobic exercise.  Have you ever had a day where you were just exhausted from all the "stuff" you had to do.  Try to stop your sleep on one of those days...
6. Eat right - I have found that those with a healthier diet seem to do better.  Good amounts of vegetables, less sugar, and less processed items.  Try it; not only will you start to feel better, but you'll sleep better too.
7. Manage stress appropriately - those of us under continuous severe stress will have more trouble.  Have you ever heard the line: "stress doesn't necessarily cause anything, but it exacerbates anything and everything".  Need I say more?
8. Stop smoking - It has been proven over and over, with studies, real life examples, you name it...
9. Stop sleeping with pets - it's similar with a little one, when they are fast asleep move them to their own crib or bed.  If not they will dictate your sleeping position - and it's usually not good.
10. Lower the temperature a degree or two - This will help you sleep, you can always cover up.
11. Get the tv out of the bedroom - Not only does it give you the opportunity to have something to do when you get up, it usually gives off some kind of light.  Side note* - In the world of ever evolving technology, I have found colored masking tape extremely handy to cover up a number of unwanted lights from tv's, cable boxes, and more.
12. Have a comfy bed and pillow - I personally like the arc4life traction pillow.  I use the standard/medium size and rarely sleep without it!

There you have it.  These 12 items are sure to help you sleep.  You may not be able to do all of them; I think the more you can do, the better.

 

Additional Reading: 

1. Sleep with this pillow for the neck 

2. Put this under the legs

3. Put this between the knees if a side sleeper