Neck Pain Support Blog

Pain in the Neck for DWTS' Debi Mazar...

A new season of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) has started and with a bang at that! This year’s line up includes a pop star (Aaron Carter), an R&B star (Macy Gray), and even a reality superstar (Kelly Osbourne) - I am always amazed at the transformation of the celebrities with their bodies by the end of the show. I am also not surprised when I hear about injuries that they have sustained. Some that make you just say “ouch”. In the first season, we have already heard that Mya slashed her wrist on glass and Debi Mazar ended by being taken to the hospital with neck pain. Later she was seen sporting a neck brace. She tweeted about her condition to everyone: "I'm okay - torn muscle in neck to chest! Foxtrot... cruel and sadistic." Debi even took a picture of her new neck brace that she was sporting around.

A Cervical Collar (also known as a neck brace) is often worn in acute neck pain situations. It helps to decrease pressure between bones. cervical collars also provide neck support, decrease pain and limit motion in the neck spine that might aggravate symptoms such as walking. A brace should never be worn for a long period of time because it can cause weakening of the cervical muscles.

Ms. Mazar was brave enough to show up to Wednesday’s DWTS results show- she has a muscle tear in her neck: "Good news! Back from MRI ... I have a muscle tear ... blood in muscle, edema ... but this too shall pass! The show must go on ... just need to be careful!"

Well, the salsa didn't bring so much luck - in fact it turned out to be a pain in the neck -- but I am Looking forward to seeing what Ms.Mazar brings to next weeks show with her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy (my favorite)!

Sources for this Blog: Debi Mazar on Twitter / Twitter Picture

Additional Reading Resources:

• Why Adequate Neck Support while you sleep is vital to stop neck pain
• Your Daily Neck Pain Free Regime
• How to Choose the Best Neck Pillow for your Needs
• Stiff neck remedies
• Hot and Cold Therapy for your Neck

Study shows that Chronic Neck Pain Can Cause Respiratory Problems

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) A new study tested the hypothesis that chronic neck pain sufferers are more predisposed to respiratory dysfunction. The study came out in the July 2009 issue of Cephalalgia. Researcher Dr.Eleni Kapreli of the Technological Educational Institution of Lamia, Greece, and colleagues indicates that there are many aspects to chronic neck pain symptoms that we are still understanding.

Chronic Neck Pain affects many people everyday. Chronic neck pain may be due to an injury, a fall, a herniated disc, foraminal stenosis or even neck degeneration. Chronic neck pain is defined as neck pain that last several weeks or years. For some patients the pain get progressively worse. They may be afflicted with unrelenting pain and stiffness, muscle spasms, and decrease in range of motion and even difficulty breathing and respiratory dysfunction as this study shows.

Dr. Kapreli and her team have been researching the connection between chronic neck pain and respiratory dysfunction. In a 2007 paper, Dr.Kapreli and other researches showed that chronic neck pain sufferers have certain factors that show predisposition of leading to a respiratory dysfunction:

1. decreased strength of deep neck flexors and extensors
2. hyperactivity and increased fatigability of superficial neck flexors
3. reduced range of motion (mobility),
4. decrease in proprioception and changes in neuromuscular control
5. presence of pain
6. psychosocial influence of dysfunction

This new study tests this hypothesis that chronic neck pain patients are more predisposed to respiratory dysfunction. This study involved 12 patients who suffered with chronic neck pain and 12 matched controls. The participants in the study were an average of 29.42 years. Patients had a history of neck pain of 1 to 12 years.

The following measurements were used for assessment :

• Spirometric values (the amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled by a patient)
• maximal static pressures
• forward head posture
• functional tests

The study showed that patients who suffered with chronic neck pain, presented with a statistically significant decreased maximal voluntary ventilation (P = 0.042) and respiratory muscle strength (Pimax and Pemax), (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively).

According to Dr.Kapreli, "Abdominal and chest breathing was assessed by observation only, and results showed that 83% of patients with neck pain, in a population of different chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes, experienced a changed breathing pattern indicating a relationship between neck pain and respiration."

Also, the current study demonstrated a strong association between an increased forward head posture and decreased respiratory muscle strength in neck pain patients.

This study shows a connection of neck pain and respiratory function. This is an important consideration in relation to how to assess a patients condition, how to come up with a rehabilitation plan and how to treat the patient.

"The current study provides support to the belief that the clinician should have a 'holistic view' of the patient," Dr. Kapreli said. "Even in the case of a common musculoskeletal disorder, other systems could have also been influenced," the author explained. "Therefore, providing therapeutic solutions only for the main symptom is rather frustrating for the patient."

Source:

• Respiratory Dysfunction in Chronic Neck Pain Patients:Cephalalgia, Volume 29 Issue 7, Pages 701 – 710
  
• Neck pain causes respiratory dysfunction

Additional Resources:

• Cervical Kyposis or Military Neck Can the Cause of Neck Pain
• Cervical Radiculopathy? How your Dr will determine the nature of neck pain
• Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain Through Exercises
• Can Forward head posture cause Neck pain and Stiff Neck?
• Head Retraction Exercises: A must for forward head posture
• Why Posture is the Window to Your Health
• Strengthening Exercises for the Neck for Better Health

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical supports and cervical traction products for relief of stiff neck, and neck pain Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!

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Treatment for Neck Pain? FDA issues warning about pain killers: Tylenol, Vicoden and Percocet…

At the Neck Pain Support Blog many of our readers are dealing with some kind of pain everyday. Acute pain can lead to chronic pain overtime. One treatment prescribed by Doctors for this pain is often medications- more specifically pain killers like Tylenol, Vicodin and Percocet. This month the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to patients about these drugs potentially causing liver damage.

Drugs like Tylenol, Vicodin, Percocet and other over the counter pain medications have an ingredient called Acetaminophen (the generic name). Acetaminophen is prescribed frequently by Doctors for relieving pain and fever. This drug is generally considered safe when used according to the directions on its labeling. But taking more than the recommended amount can cause liver damage, ranging from abnormalities in liver function blood tests, to acute liver failure, and even death. Early signs of liver damage include: loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Liver damage can develop into liver failure or death over several days.

According to Dr. Michael Fallon, director of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston “The problem with Vicodin and Percocet is that consumers aren't aware how much acetaminophen they are ingesting when they take the painkillers”.

Patients often consume higher dosages as time goes on because they may not be getting relief. This increased ingestion of acetaminophen can be addicting. Acetaminophen is an effective pain reliever, but its dosage should be limited, Fallon said. He recommends that his patients take acetaminophen in doses of only about 2 grams a day.

“If they do that, they would be below what's been reported in any situation to cause liver injury. It's a reasonable safety limit,” he said

The FDA's experts voted Tuesday June 30th to lower the current maximum daily dose of non-prescription acetaminophen, which is four grams, or eight pills of a medication like Extra Strength Tylenol.

At the Neck Pain Support Blog, our goal is to seek natural alternative treatments for pain relief. Taking over the counter medications such as Tylenol are an easy way to treat acute pain. If you take the prescribed amount of medication, most likely your body and liver will handle it. Most people are only at risk for liver toxicity if they take more than the normal recommended amount of acetaminophen. When pain relief does not come, it is easy to increase your dose- turning an acute situation into a chronic one. Take steps to find a solution for pain relief without hurting your body. When you are prescribed a medication by your Doctor learn what the side effects are and how long you will need to take these drugs.

Fact: Acetaminophen also can appear as “APAP” on your medication bottle

Fact: For my United Kingdom readers, Acetaminophen is also known as “paracetamol”

Source: Acetominophen and Liver Injury: Q & A for Consumers

Additional Reading Resources:

• Michael Jackson: Another celebrity taken by Prescription Medication
• The Top 10 Reasons for Neck Pain And How to Correct them
• What to Do for A Pinched Nerve in the Neck?
• End Neck Pain By Improving Posture

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Sore Neck Keeps Michael Phelps from swimming in 100 m Race

Neck Pain affects us all in different ways. It can keep us from completing a project at work, getting on the floor to play with our 2 year old, and even keep an Olympic gold medalist out of a race. On July 10, 2009, Michael Phelps decided not to compete in the 100 meter race (his speciality race) because he had a sore neck.

It was decided by Phelps and his coach to withdraw from the 100-meter freestyle heats in the morning on the advice of a doctor. Apparently he awoke with a kink on the left side of his neck. He swam through the pain to set a world record in the 100 butterfly on Thursday, but said he felt worse Friday despite receiving numerous treatments.

"It wasn't fun swimming the 100 fly with that," he said. "I could barely move my neck to breathe. I definitely didn't feel 100 percent."

His coach Bob Bowman decided to err on the side of caution and advised Michael to not continue with the race.

A stiff or sore neck can cause pain, muscle spasms and decreased range of motion. With a top athlete like Michael Phelps- breathing during his event is very importnant. Neck Pain affect your ability to breathe properly because breathing depends on key cervical muscles and nerves. Had Phelps decided to go ahead with the race his breathing technique would have aggravated his neck pain further.

A sore neck can be caused by a physical trauma, repetitive motions of the neck, and even something as simple as sleeping in the wrong position at night. That is doing neck exercises such as strengthening and stretching are so important. Such exercises can prevent injury in the future. Sleeping on a good cervical support neck pillow also helps to make sure that the head and neck are properly aligned while sleeping.

Article Source: : Phelps has Sore Neck, Drops out of 100 Free

Additional Reading Resources

• Treatment for Neck Pain: FDA issues warning about pain killers
• New Job, New Neck Pain At the End of the Day
• The Relationship between neck pain and Stress
• Reasons for Neck Pain and How to Correct them
• Decreasing tension and Neck Pain
• How to Treat Tight Muscles
• Exercises for Neck Pain and Soreness

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical supports and cervical traction products for relief of stiff neck, and neck pain Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!

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Michael Jackson: Another Celebrity Taken by Prescription Medications?

No one can deny that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop was one of the greatest artists of our times. There won’t be another artist like him. Like many celebrities, he suffered from anxiety, pain and chronic insomnia. This chronic inability to sleep can rob ones’s ability to have a life. Sleep deprivation plays with mind, our physical well being and our emotional state.

I have posted a few blog posts about how to get the best night’s sleep. Whether it means choosing the right neck pillow for sleeping, or getting into a sleep routine every night- it is definitely possible, with some discipline. Of course there are artificial ways to battling insomnia as well such as sleeping pills.

In the last few years or so, we have heard of numerous celebrities who died under suspicious causes- linked to prescription drugs. Over the last few years deaths due to prescription medication have arisen. People don’t realize how powerful these drugs can be when taken for a long time, in large doses and frequency and in combination with other drugs.

The Journal of the American Medical Association puts death from all drugs, illegal and prescription, as the #2 cause of death. The #1 cause was motor vehicle accidents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that from 1999 to 2004, unintentional poisoning death from prescription drugs sleeping pills, antidepressants and tranquilizers grew 84 percent to 20,950 deaths, overtaking cocaine and heroin combined as the leading cause of lethal overdose.

Lest we forget the deaths of Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith. Both were found dead suddenly, and unexpectedly with a mixture of medications in their blood. In Jan 2008, Heath Ledger died from a cocktail of six prescription drugs including Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Diazepam, Temazepam, Alprazolam, and Doxylamine. Ledger had been complaining of anxiety, an inability to sleep, and had pneumonia. In February 2007, Anna Nicole smith was found with a deadly combination of sleeping meds and prescription meds in her system. This even happened to past celebrities like Elvis Presley, who in 1977 was found with a powerful medley of prescription medications.

With the passing of Michael Jackson, I again wonder to myself- is it that easy to get hooked on prescription medications? According to Gary Boggs, executive assistant of the Drug Enforcement Agency's Office of Diversion Control, the arm of the DEA that investigates unlawful trafficking of prescription medications, “The abuse of these drugs is only second to the abuse of marijuana," He also says that it is reported that out of the 7 million Americans who abuse prescription drugs, 5.2 million of them are involved in some kind of improper use of pain relief medications, such as Vicodin or OxyContin. “

To all my readers of the Neck Pain Support Blog- please take your prescription medications seriously and responsibly. Think about it, we only “hear” about celebrities who abuse drugs- in fact we love to read about it and gather all the “details”. Did you know that in 2005, At least 8,500 deaths were attributed to the overuse of painkillers, according to the DEA. That's a 114 percent increase in the number of fatalities associated with such abuse since 2001. Between 2004 and 2006, there was a 39 percent spike in the number of emergency-room visits that were connected to pain-reliever abuse. It can be said and hopefully understood that Prescription Medications when abused, can kill you. Its just not worth it.

**Post Note** As of today, the DEA recently joined the Los Angeles Police to determine the true cause of Michael Jackson's Death. According to experts, the DEA is often called in to assist in cases that might involve drug abuse

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Additional Reading Resources

• Choose the Right Neck Pillow for Better Sleep Naturally
• Which Sleeping Position is Best For Me
• Simple Tips to Sleep
• 6 Ways to Get A Better Night’s Sleep
• Better Sleep equals better control of blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
• Sleeping Comfortably when you Have Neck or Back Pain

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical supports and cervical traction products for relief of stiff neck, and neck pain Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!

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Exercise For Neck Pain Works, Study Shows

Experts say exercise underutilized as treatment for back, neck pain Exercise has shown significant promise in improving physical function, decreasing symptoms and minimizing disability caused by chronic low back and neck pain. However, according to a study, exercise remains an underutilized treatment.

Researchers from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina conducted a survey of nearly 700 individuals with chronic back or neck pain who saw a physician, chiropractor and/or physical therapist during the previous 12 months. They asked participants whether they were prescribed exercise, the amount of supervision received, and the type, duration and frequency of the prescribed exercise.

Less than 50 percent of the subjects in our sample were prescribed exercise, one of the few moderately effective therapies for the highly disabling illness of chronic back and neck pain, said Timothy S. Carey and Janet K. Freburger, lead researchers of the study.

Related Coverage Lost time injuries, musculoskeletal disorders decline in '07, study finds (12/01/08) Job creation must be accompanied by emphasis on safety, group says (04/02/09) National summit urges action to improve workforce health, productivity (12/01/08) Michigan: Senator introduces bill to block state-mandated ergonomics standard (03/23/09) Surgeons issue new treatment guidelines for carpal tunnel syndrome (12/01/08) According to the study, the type of provider played a major role in whether participants received a prescription. Of those who received an exercise prescription, 46 percent received the prescription from a physical therapist, 27 percent from a physician, and 21 percent from a chiropractor. The authors noted that these findings correlated with previous studies that have found that "who you see is what you get." The study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, found that for those who were prescribed exercise and the type of provider seen determined the amount of supervision and, to some extent, the types of exercises prescribed. Physical therapists were more likely to provide supervision and prescribe stretching and strengthening exercises, practices which the researchers said follow current guidelines and lead to better outcomes.

The authors suggested that future studies explore barriers to prescription of exercise treatments, such as practitioner knowledge, organizational aspects of the practice, and poor reimbursement for exercise instruction compared with other types of treatment.

Second study supports exercise. In a second unrelated study published in The Spine Journal, researchers found that exercise in the workplace is effective in preventing new episodes of low-back problems.

"Strong and consistent evidence finds many popular prevention methods fail while exercise has a significant impact, both in terms of preventing symptoms and reducing back pain-related work loss," said Dr. Stanley J. Bigos, University of Washington professor emeritus of orthopedic surgery and environmental health.

Chronic Pain Can Be Treated Better with Collaberative Treatments, study shows

Chronic pain affects 15% of the United States population. Often times chronic pain management consists of only treating the pain aspect and places little emphasis on how this pain affects patients day to day. Patients who suffer with chronic pain often turn to medications for treatment- chronic pain can lead to increased overall stress, anxiety and often depression. Unfortunately, depression is often not addressed when treated for chronic pain, and it can make it more difficult to follow through with recommended therapies.

A new March 2009 study published in Journal of the American Medical Association shows that when patients are treated with a team of Doctors approach, treatment can be more effective. This team approach includes psychotherapy to deal with depression. This was compared to how chronic pain is treated conventionally- by only medication, therapy or surgery sometimes

Dr. Steven K. Dobscha, of Portland VA Medical Center in Oregon, looked at 401 people with an average age of 61 or 62 who were in chronic pain for at least three months. (They excluded those diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.) The study, which took place in the Department of main purpose was to determine if chronic pain can be treated more effectively if different types of treatment is used collaboratively. The 401 participants in this study has musculoskeletal pain of moderate or greater pain intensity and disability that lasted 3 months or longer.

There were two groups in this study. The first group was treated for chronic pain by a team of doctors using a variety of treatment methods, including a psychologist. Treatment included workshops for further education on pain treatment, patient assessment, education and activation, symptom monitoring, feedback and recommendations to clinicians, and facilitation of specialty care. In this particular group the psychologist talked to patients about their treatment and their goals for care, and the team came up with a treatment plan that was e-mailed to the patient's doctor or posted in an alert in the patient's medical record. People who needed more intensive care such as an an additional consultation with a mental health professional -- received it. Over the course of a year, patients with the pain-treatment team had an average of about 10 or 11 meetings or other contacts with their team members, unlike people with regular care.

The second group was treated as usual at the Veterans Affairs Medical center, no extra counseling or intervention.

The results were measured over 12 months by using questionnaires that asked patients their pain level and intensity and how it affected their activities of daily living. Also the participants were given a Depression health questionnaire. It was found that participants in the pain treatment team showed greater improvement in pain related disability and also a decrease in depression was seen.

"Overall, this study showed that a collaborative care intervention for chronic pain was significantly more effective than treatment as usual across a variety of outcome measures. Although many of the improvements were modest, they may be especially meaningful because patients in our sample were older, had long-standing pain, multiple medical problems, and reported high baseline rates of disability. Our results add to the growing body of literature suggesting that the collaborative care model is effective in improving clinical outcomes and adherence to treatment guidelines across a variety of chronic conditions. Patients in many health care systems and private group practices have limited access to specialty chronic pain services. A primary care–based intervention can have positive effects on pain disability and intensity, and on depressive symptoms," the authors concluded. Helping patients with chronic pain in a collaborative method with a team of doctors resulted in resulted in modest but statistically significant improvement in a variety of outcome measures.

What are the solutions for chronic pain? This study shows us that simply using one method such as medication or turning to surgery may not be the answer. There are a multiplicity of factors that play a role. Just taking medications can lead to an unhealthy dependence and unwanted side effects that may require more medications. Surgery itself can be a risky, require longer recovery and rehabilitation and again, require the patient to take more medications. Also both of these solutions (medications or surgeries) can cost more in the long term- to both the patient and the health

Chronic pain can easily lead people into depression. This type of pain affects your day to day activities- including your personal and work environment. Not being able to fully participate in family events can lead to anxiety, sadness and depression. Treatment needs to involve different health professionals including psychologists. Just talking to patients and understanding what is on their mind, what is causing them anxiety can make such a big difference in how chronic pain is dealt with. Family members are not trained to handle chronic pain- that is why talking to a professional can be of aid. Simple encouragement, reassurance, answers to why things are the way they are, and options avaialbe for chronic pain- can make a big difference in how chronic pain is dealt with and how effective the treatment is.

Article Source: Jama 2009;301(12):1242-1252. Collaborative Care for Chronic Pain in Primary Care

Additional Resources:

• Treatment of Chronic Pain Through Exercise
• The Emotional Impact of Neck Pain: Study Shows that Depression and Anxiety Play a Role
• The Relationship Between Stress and Neck Pain
• Chronic Pain Can cause shrinkage of the brain
• Neck Pain Relief Kit

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Why We Love Blogging at the Neck Pain Support Blog

I Love Blogging: Helping others through the Neck Pain Support Blog

- I started blogging in 2007 with my blog Improve Your Health Improve your Life- which talked about neck pain and lower back conditions. After moving over from blogger to typepad, i realized there was so much more i could do with my blog. That's when I started the Neck Pain Support Blog I started getting comments and questions about specific problems that people were having. I enjoy helping out with my expertise as often as possible. As a Chiropractor I see patients everyday that suffer from neck pain, headaches, stiff neck, radiculopathies etc- this is one way i can help people treat thier health conditions naturally. So here is my list of why i love blogging:
• I Love to help people solve common health problems
• I Love to see people do natural treatments for common health conditions such as a stiff neck, instead of heading towards the medicine cabinet
• I Love to introduce new products for neck pain relief
• I Love to present the latest research that is being done on neck pain and neck pain treatments. For example in January 2008, we presented a Danish research study that showed how chronic neck pain can be helped with physical exercise
• I Love to interact with my readers
• I Love to see my readers live the most comfortable pain free life possible- naturally. Our blog post Your Daily Neck Pain Free Regime shows readers how to live a neck pain free life everyday.
• I Love to receive comments from my readers
• I Love to introduce my readers to new articles and effective treatment for neck pain
• I Love to explain different conditions so that people can understand them in everyday language. For example, back in November 2008 we did a series on cervial radiculopathy.

So there, those are the reasons why I love to blog !

New Job...New Neck Pain at the End of the Day...

A friend of time recently lost her job at StarBucks but was quickly able to find a new one. She was pretty excited. The new job involved customer service at an online shoe store. After one week, she was complaining about soreness and tightness in her neck at the end of the day. She loved her job, but she had to do something for neck pain relief.

Starting a New Job means you have to get ready for a new position at work and new demands. Sitting in one positon for a prolonged period of time can put a lot of stress on your neck, and upper back area. Look at the ergonomics of your seat chair and how your computer is positioned. Here are some things to specific things to consider at a new job:

• Look at each component of your workstation. For example, Your chair: Does it have a good lumbar support and neck support? Does it have a thick padded seat? Padded and adjustable arms can make a huge difference. Finally, does it have dual wheel casters so you can move around easily? Can you adjust the height and do you have the ability to tilt the seat? I know that sometimes at a new job you don't have control over the ergonomics of your workstation, but this can make a huge difference when it comes to your comfort. Having proper neck posture at your computer desk is an important aspect for working neck pain free and headache free.
  
  
• Take frequent breaks at work. I know this is difficult but even just a 2-3 minute of rolling your shoulers back and forth, standing up and stretching, looking away from your screen can make such a big difference in decreasing pain intensity.

• Do Neck exercises everyday. These involve bending your head forward and backward, bending to the side and turning your head and neck. You want to make sure you hold the stretch for at least 15-20 seconds. With stretches you never want to do it to the point of pain, only to the point of feeling a stretch. Try them every while taking a hot shower. This facilitates and make it easier to stretch.

• Ice your neck and upper back muscles. This helps decrease inflammation and provides pain relieving analgesic effect. Ice for 10-15 min after work if possible. Get an ice pack that is designed for the cervical spine and upper back: 6x20 dimensions for the neck, 9x16 for the upper shoulders+neck

• Get treatment for your neck and upper back muscles. Sitting in one position for a long time can put a lot of stress on your body. What ends up happening is that you may assume certain positions that cause over firing of muscles- making them tight and sore by the end of the day. One example is the shoulder muscles. You may be unconsciously raising your scrunching up your shoulders or perhaps holding your head and neck in one position for a long time. This can happen while on the computer or with talking on the telephone. The hot spots are going to be the upper trapezius, the cervical paraspinals, the rhomboid muscles (in between the shoulder blades), and the thoracic paraspinals. Often times, these muscles will develop trigger points, which are tender points that are the source of a lot of pain. They can also refer pain to other areas. To work out these trigger points see a massage therapist who can pin point the exact areas of tenderness. Also, you can use a home t.e.n.s unit, biofreeze natural pain relief gel, or even heat or ice.

• Get treatment by a chiropractor. They will be able to diagnose a misalignment in your cervical or thoracic spine. A chiropractic visit may involve a consult, a history of previous accidents or trauma, an exam (orthopedic/ neurological exam), range of motion studies (how far can you move your neck in certain ways), motion palpation of your spine and maybe x-rays if needed. Also they have the ability to do therapy such as traction, heat, ice, electric stimulation, mobilization of your spine- whatever is necessary to feel better and function more optimally. If you are going to involved in a stressful job, having chiropractic care can keep you pain free.

What tips and tricks do you use at your job to keep yourself comfortable and pain free?

Picture Source: MashGet on Flickr.com

Additional Resources

• How to Prevent Neck Pain at your Desk Job
• The Relationship between Neck Pain and Stress
• Making Your Workstation Pain Free
• Remedy for A Stiff Neck

Visit the Neck Pain Super Store

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Motrin Causes Pain for Moms After Unfair Protrayal in Ad

Okay so we all know that being a mother in today’s society is a rewarding experience, but sometimes we can all have challenges- but do want to be portrayed as having pain after carrying our kids around in a sling, on our hips or on our backs ? And can we only be official Moms if we carry our kids around ? Not according to some mothers!

Johnson and Johnson recently created an online Motrin ad where they portrayed Mothers having neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain as a result of carrying their children around in various ways.

Here are some excerpts from the Motrin Ad: “Wearing your baby seems to be in fashion. I mean in theory it’s a great idea…there’s the front baby carrier, the sling, the schwing, the pouch, go hands free ! Supposedly it’s a real bonding experience…. These things put a ton of stress on, your back, your neck, your shoulders…Plus it totally makes me look like an official mom, so if I look tired and crazy, people will understand why….”

Motrin is an over the counter pain medication that is used by many to relieve pain in the neck and the lower back.

Perhaps the drug company should have been more sensitive- Many mothers who are consumers were offended by the ad because they stated that it trivialized women's pain and the method of carrying babies.

"It was meant to engender sympathy and appreciation for all that parents do for their kids, but did so through an attempt at humor that missed the mark and many moms found offensive," wrote Kathy Widmer, vice president of marketing, McNeil Consumer Healthcare.

The company pulled the ad from the Motrin Web site and print magazines and apologized on its consumer blog. Probably a wise idea.

Well, Motrin may be one easy way to deal with pain symptoms in the neck and lower back - but there are so many natural pain relief methods available to women without side effects. I want to talk about a few neck pain relief tips, that don’t involve Motrin ! 

• Neck Stretches can really help to loosen up muscles in the neck and upper back. Neck Exercises specifically stretching will help to increase range of motion and prevent further injury. When you carrying your child in a sling,it can create a forward head posture which puts a lot of pressure on your neck and upper back. Strengthening exercises are important as well to build strong muscles and improve posture.
  
• If you do notice pain after carrying your child, use ice on your neck and upper back for about 10-15 minutes- this helps to decrease pain and reduce inflammation. Best of all, it provides a soothing analgesic effect. Don’t forget to wrap your ice pack in a towel before doing this.
  
• Sleep on a good cervical pillow at night- it will ensure that your head and neck are properly aligned while sleeping. Sleep is a very important part of our lives- especially when taking care of kids. Sleep is when our body heals and get rejuvenated- so make the most out of it.

Additional Resources:

• Controversy causing Ad by Motrin about Moms and Back Pain- Watch the Motrin Ad on You Tube Ad
  
• Headache remedies
  
• Stiff Neck Remedies: All Natural- Causes, Symptoms, Remedies and Support for Patients suffering from a Stiff Neck

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of the Natural Pain Relief Prodcuts for the Neck and Lower Back.

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Source: The Wall Street Journal: - J&J Pulls Online Motrin Ad After Social-Media Backlash
Photo Source- You Tube Motrin Ad