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A PAIN IN THE NECK
Having a pinched nerve in your neck (a cervical radiculopathy) is a pretty
common condition. It’s often painful, and sometimes disabling. Though some cases
of pinched nerves may eventually need surgery, the vast majority don’t. Pain in
the shoulder or arm that can be caused by tilting or turning the head in a
particular way is likely due to a pinched nerve in the neck.
Just as you can feel pain down your arm by hitting the funny bone (ulnar
nerve) in your elbow, shoulder and/or arm pain is often caused by neck problems.
Pain is an early symptom of nerve pressure. Sometimes pain is constant:
at other times it comes after work or after standing, sitting, or walking all
day. Numbness or tingling is also common with a pinched nerve, and may be more
serious than pain, though not as uncomfortable. If your arm is numb: that is, if
you can pinch it or stick it with something sharp and not feel it, you need to
seek care promptly. Nerve pressure that continues can permanently damage the
nerve. Weakness is another symptom that can be caused by nerve pressure.
Occasionally, an arm can be completely numb and paralyzed. Needless to say, this
requires treatment without undue delay.
Anatomy of the Neck
It helps to understand the anatomy of the neck. Your neck’s composed of seven
bones (called vertebrae) in a row. Between each one is a soft disc. The discs
have a tough covering with a softer inside: think of a waterbed full of jello.
Your spinal cord is inside the vertebra, right behind the solid part, in the
spinal canal. There are openings on each side where the nerves to your neck,
shoulders, and part of your arms come out. If a nerve is getting pushed on, you
may have pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand.
Varying amounts of pressure cause varying symptoms.
In some cases, the inside part of a disc will push through the covering: this
is a ruptured disc (or herniated disc). Problems occur when the disc pushes on a
nerve or the spinal cord. Another common cause of pinched nerves is an opening
out of the spinal canal (the foramen) which is too small. This can be caused by
bone spurs or by arthritis.
It’s usually possible to start treatment of cervical radiculopathy at home.
Commonly used anti-inflammatory / pain medicines, like Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin
(ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) are helpful. Also helpful is avoiding things
that compress the spine, like bouncing up and down driving on a dirt road, or
jumping down from a height (even as little as a foot or two).
Simple Home Traction - How To
The most helpful treatments in my experience is home traction. All you need
is a small towel, a piece of rope or strong cord, and a doorknob. First, tie one
end of the rope to one end of the towel. Then loop the rope over the doorknob,
and bring it back to the other end of the towel and tie it. You want it to be
just long enough that the middle of the towel barely touches the floor
under the doorknob.
Next, lie down on your back with the top of your head close to the door. Rest
the back of your head (about even with your ears) in the sling formed by the
towel. Your head should be held comfortably, just barely off the floor: it
should not be tilted forward or back. If you do this correctly, it should
be pretty comfortable. It’s helpful to wiggle your head side to side a little
bit now and then while you’re lying there.
Lie there for seven minutes only on the first day you do this. It
might feel good right away, or you might not feel any difference. But if you do
it for too long it may stretch your neck muscles and make them cramp, causing
you to feel worse. You can do it twice the first day if you like, but at least
eight hours apart. Then add a minute a day until you get to fifteen minutes
twice daily. Continue at fifteen minutes twice a day for as long as you need to,
depending on symptoms.
Doing this often relieves the pressure on the nerve, which can reduce pain /
numbness / weakness. And relieving the pressure often allows a swollen,
irritated nerve to recover, becoming small enough that it’s not pinched anymore.
A couple of pointers: make sure you have a loud timer with you, so you
don’t fall asleep. If you do, you may overstretch your neck muscles. Also (this
is very important) be sure to lock the door so nobody comes through it
while you’re lying there.
Neck Traction ends the "circle of pain" by mechanically stretching the
muscles of the neck, increasing the distance between vertebral bodies of the
spine, and giving more space for the nerve roots. Neck pain is reduced with
prolonged, intermittent passive stretching of muscles. It yields a measurably
increased range of motion, which relieves pain and, perhaps more importantly for
the patient, brings hope into the picture that their pain will eventually
subside.
We carry three items that can assist you in your effort at home treatment
Neck Exercise - Give Your Neck a Break
Many people suffer from neck stiffness and soreness, and it's no wonder. Your
neck has the difficult burden of carrying your head around, and it never gets a
break except when you lie down. This neck push can be done sitting or standing
and helps strengthen your neck muscles, which in turn will help alleviate some
of the discomfort.
Keeping your head upright, hold the palm of one hand against your forehead
and press your head forward, resisting with your palm. Hold for 10 to 15
seconds. Now clasp your hands behind your head and press your head backward,
resisting with your hands. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Now hold your right hand
against the side of your head and press your head to the right, resisting with
your hand. Again, hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Then repeat on left side.
Relax and Roll
Stress and anxiety often lead to an aching neck. Poor posture also plays a
role. This stretch relieves tension in your neck and surrounding muscles. Relax
your shoulders and let your head roll forward, chin to chest. Slowly rotate your
head in a circle without straining your neck. Repeat five times. Relax. Then
rotate in the opposite direction and repeat five times. Try not to raise your
shoulders as you do this exercise
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