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Archive for the Neck Pain Category

Don’t Shop Till You Drop: 4 Quick Tips for a Pain-Free Shopping Season

By Relax The Back on December 16, 2011
This entry is filed under Back Pain, Neck Pain, Prevention.

The holidays are here, and so is the shopping frenzy. Although strolling through stores can be fun, lugging heavy shopping bags or hunching over to wrap gifts can strain your back or neck. Before you head to the mall, follow these quick tips to avoid soreness in your joints or muscles.

Make an organized list – Don’t wander aimlessly around the store until your feet and back hurts. Create an itemized list and go after them. Also, don’t hesitate to ask staff where to find a particular item. It will save you time, energy, and wear and tear on your joints and muscles.

Wear comfortable shoes – Walking around the mall for hours in high heels or crumbling running shoes is not good for your feet or your back. Wear comfortable clothes or walking shoes in good condition. When you’re crossing the parking lot loaded with retail bounty, you’ll appreciate a pair of quality footwear.

Take advantage of free wrapping – If free wrapping is offered with your purchases, take it. It will save you time and help you avoid hunching over to wrap your gifts later.

Gift wrapping tips – If you do decide to wrap gifts yourself, create a “wrapping station.” Keep wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, scissors, tape, cards, pens, and anything else you need within an arm’s length. That way you can comfortably wrap gifts without having to reach, which can strain your back or neck. For best results, wrap your gifts while standing at the kitchen table. Standing promotes movement and good posture.

If you’re still experiencing pain or just want extra comfort during the holiday season, please stop by one of our stores or visit us online at www.relaxtheback.com. Because even Santa’s helpers can use a little help!

Happy Holidays!

Epulse Neck & Shoulder Massager

By Relax The Back on July 26, 2011
This entry is filed under Neck Pain, Product Reviews, Products and tagged massage product, neck, shoulder. | 1 Comment

If you have tired muscles, back pain, or pain from injuries, then the Epulse Neck & Shoulder Massager may be right for you. It provides a wealth of benefits, with a body-hugging design that allows for a comfortable massage.

After a hard day at work, or an intense workout, the flexible design of the Epulse can relieve aches in your neck, shoulders, thighs or almost anywhere you need relief with up to 20 pre-programmed rhythmic massages. This kind of massage can help improve blood circulation and provide a deep, penetrating muscle massage. Part of what makes the Epulse so unique is its drum-massage technology, which can provide a deeper, more-targeted massage than traditional handheld massagers.

The Epulse also offers tapping massage and shoulder massage with a heating function to increase its effectiveness. And, for those of you who come away from massages sometimes a little too sore, don’t worry. The Epulse comes with a built-in eight-minute timer, so you can get a healthy massage without overdoing it.

One of its chief benefits, though, is its convenience. Unlike many massagers, the Epulse is a breeze to use. It features a one-touch control panel so you can program the exact kind of massage you need. Whether you need to unwind, rejuvenate, or recover from an injury, the Epulse can be programmed to meet your needs.

Some of the many other benefits of massage include:

Reduce neck & lower back pain
Increased flexibility
Reduce spasms and cramping
Stimulation of the immune system
Relieve migraine pain

The Epulse provides benefits like these that can have you feeling your best in no time. In fact, many proponents of the Epulse have reported a greater sense of calm, stress-reduction, and overall well being. If you need a good neck and shoulder massage, then be sure to give the Epulse Neck & Shoulder Massager a try.

Whiplash

By Relax The Back on March 13, 2011
This entry is filed under Conditions, Neck Pain.

Whiplash is a common type of injury often caused by being rear-ended in a motor vehicle accident. Whiplash is a severe type of neck sprain caused when the head is whipped quickly forward (hyperflexion) and backward (hyperextension).

Symptoms

Whiplash symptoms include:

Neck pain; mild to intense
Pain that spreads (radiates) into the shoulders, upper back, arms
Sharp, dull, throbbing, and/or burning pain
Neck and upper body stiffness
Headache
Dizziness
Jaw pain (immediate or delayed)
Ringing in the ears

Talk with your doctor

Whiplash symptoms may not be apparent after injury. Sometimes symptoms develop hours or days after. Sudden pain or pain that is severe, or that becomes chronic or progressive, requires evaluation by your doctor. Even if you are being treated for whiplash, contact your doctor if any of these symptoms develop:

Weakness
Loss of coordination; hand clumsiness
Balance problems
Difficulty walking
Bladder or bowel dysfunction (rare)
Paralysis (rare)

Diagnosis

Your doctor collects and compares information gathered while talking with you about your medical history and past and existing symptoms. A physical and neurological examination looks for limitations of movement, balance difficulties, and what exacerbates and relieves pain. During the exam he tests your reflexes, muscle strength, sensations, or other signs of neurologic loss. Your doctor may order imaging studies such as plain x-ray, CT, or MRI to study and confirm you diagnosis to direct your treatment plan.

Treatment

The need for surgery is rare. Most patients with whiplash respond to non-surgical care:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Muscle relaxant medication
Pain medication (occasionally, a narcotic)
Cold and heat therapy
Soft cervical collar or brace
Soft tissue massage
Physical therapy
Cervical (neck) traction
Alternative therapies (eg, acupuncture)

A soft cervical collar or brace is worn to help mobilize the neck, support the weight of the skull, and relieve pain while neck tissues heal.

Pinched Nerves

By Relax The Back on February 22, 2011
This entry is filed under Conditions, Neck Pain.

A pinched nerve is a common cause of neck and back pain. Different types of spinal disorders can cause a spinal nerve to be slightly compressed or pinched. The nerve’s first reaction to compression is inflammation and pain.

Common causes of a pinched nerve in the spine include:

Degenerative disc disease
Disc herniation
Fracture
Spinal stenosis
Spondylosis
Spondylolisthesis

Symptoms
Symptoms of a pinched nerve depend on where the nerve is compressed. Examples of cervical and lumbar symptoms include the following:

Cervical (Neck)	Lumbar (Low back)
Pain; mild to intense	Pain; mild to intense
Pain that spreads (radiates) into the shoulders, upper back, arms	Pain that spreads (radiates) into the buttocks, legs
Upper body stiffness	Lower body stiffness
Headache	Sciatica
Tingling, burning sensations	Tingling, burning sensations
Weakness	Weakness

Talk with your doctor
Sudden pain or pain that is severe, or that becomes chronic or progressive, requires evaluation by your doctor. Even if you have consulted with your doctor about a spinal problem, seek medical if any of these symptoms develop:

Loss of coordination; hand clumsiness
Balance problems
Difficulty walking
Bladder or bowel dysfunction (rare)
Paralysis (rare)

Diagnosis
Your doctor collects and compares information gathered while talking with you about your medical history and past and existing symptoms. A physical and neurological examination looks for limitations of movement, balance difficulties, and what exacerbates and relieves pain. During the exam he tests your reflexes, muscle strength, sensations, or other signs of neurologic loss. Your doctor may order imaging studies such as plain x-ray, CT, or MRI to study and confirm you diagnosis to direct your treatment plan.

Treatment
Most patients respond to non-surgical care, such as:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Muscle relaxant medication
Pain medication (occasionally, a narcotic)
Cold and heat therapy
Soft cervical collar or brace
Spinal injections
Physical therapy
Cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) traction
Alternative therapies (eg, acupuncture)

Your treatment may include information to help you correct any problems with your posture and body mechanics. Correct posture at rest and during activity can help you heal and prevent recurrence or spinal injury.

Spine surgery may be considered if neurological symptoms develop or progress and/or the cause of the pinched nerve creates spinal instability.

How to Choose a Tempur-Pedic Pillow: What’s Your Sleep "Personality"?

By Brendan on October 19, 2010
This entry is filed under Neck Pain, Product Reviews, Products, Sleep, Tempur-Pedic Reviews.

If you want more sleep, try a pillow from Tempur-Pedic

Known for their mattresses, Tempur-Pedic offers a line of quality pillows for every sleep position. If you sleep mainly on your side, then you’ll want to try Tempur-Pedic’s SidePillow. This pillow’s unique shape was developed by doctors to encourage proper head and neck alignment. Because of its ergonomic friendliness, it promotes deep relaxation, for long-lasting pain relief. The SidePillow also helps prevent snoring by providing improved alignment for your neck, head, and shoulders, which opens up your airway. For best results, rest your head in the center of the pillow. This keeps your chin away from your chest, further opening up your airways.

For particularly loud snorers, your sleep partner will be so thankful.

The Body Pillow

The BodyPillow is another great one for side sleepers. This pillow is 48”, so it’s a little longer than most models. Its long design, however, provides support for the entire body, making it an ideal pillow for expectant mothers. The TEMPUR material also makes it easy to shape it to your unique body contours.

For Back Sleepers

The Rhapsody Pillow.

If you’re a back sleeper, you may want something a little more traditional. The Rhapsody Pillow comes in a conventional shape, with the same pressure-relieving material as the SidePillow. The Rhapsody cushions every contour of your neck, shoulders, and head with a super-conforming inner sleeve. If you have allergies, you can relax with this pillow under your head. It is allergen and dust mite resistant, with a washable cover.

If you have a stiff neck….

The NeckPillow, in particular, is recommended for those who need a more therapeutic sleep posture. The dual lobe design supports the curve of you head, neck

Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow

and shoulders for optimal spinal alignment. However, make sure you choose the proper pillow thickness based on your shoulder dimensions and sleeping position. Proper alignment and posture are absolutely essential for a good night’s rest, so if you’re interested in the NeckPillow, choose the proper pillow thickness according to height and width of your shoulders in your natural sleeping position.

Another pillow that can help relieve neck pain is the TEMPUR-Cloud. The Cloud is built for people who often wake up with a stiff neck or knotty shoulders. It’s an extra soft pillow that provides proper support for the head and neck. It’s designed to increase your relaxation and it got its name for a reason – after a few nights you’ll feel as if you’re sleeping on a cloud.

Designed to Fit Your Body

Part of what makes Tempur-Pedic pillows different is that they are designed for the human body. Their ergonomic friendliness can be especially beneficial if you have suffered an injury or have a chronic condition. In fact, their pillows are designed to complement their mattresses, from basic models such as the ClassicBed to the luxurious CelebrityBed. Whether you sleep on your side or your back, if you snore or have an injury, or if you just want to get a better night’s rest, Tempur-Pedic has a pillow for you.

If you would like to get fitted for a proper pillow, please visit your local Relax The Back store to receive a personal fitting by our staff who are trained in ergonomics, posture, and spinal disorders.

Avoid Airline Fees – Bring Your Own Travel Pillow

By Brendan on August 20, 2010
This entry is filed under Neck Pain, Products, Tempur-Pedic Reviews, Travel.

Wrap Around Neck Pillow from Relax The Back

Save money on airline travel by bringing your own pillow.

Airlines love to charge. Love it. Headphones, snacks, wifi service – even your luggage. Last year, airlines collected $7.8 billion in fees. It is any wonder consumers are getting fed up?

One way you can cut down on these nickel-and-dime charges is to bring your own travel pillow. It makes no sense to pay $6 for a pillow when you can bring your own. Besides the price, the pillows the airlines hand out are ill-suited for comfort on a long flight and wear out easily.

Relax The Back, however, offers a variety of pillows designed to support your neck and back and help you fall asleep on long flights.

The Wrap Around Neck Pillow curls around your neck and provides a gentle cheek cushion, while aligning your chin and neck. It also releases a pleasing lavender aroma to help you relax. The Wrap Around is designed to create a “spa-like” experience, and over the course of an 11-hour flight, it’s probably as close to a spa as you’ll get.

Tempur-Pedic makes an excellent travel pillow. Over the years, Tempur-Pedic has become almost a synonym for quality, and the famed mattress maker’s U-Shaped Travel Pillow is no exception. This pillow is designed for riding in a car, train, or plane with a great degree of comfort. It does a great job of surrounding and cradling your neck proper support. I recommend this one highly for frequent flyers or commuters traveling by train.

If you prefer to sleep on your side there is a pillow designed especially for that – the JetRest Memory Foam Pillow. This ergonomic pillow has an L-shape design that cradles your head so you can rest comfortably on one side. Although it provides support for one side, it doesn’t neglect your head and neck. Its rectangular body gives you a firm but flexible upright support to those areas. For frequent flyers (or anyone else who steps on a plane), it comes with a convenient carry bag as well.

These products may not make it “cheap” to fly, but they can reduce the final tally. They’re also much more comfortable than airline pillows, which are often… not. So, the next time you fly, I recommend you save a few bucks and fly with your own travel pillow. That way you can concentrate on relaxing and not pulling out your wallet or purse over and over and over….

Backpack Safety Facts

By Brendan on August 11, 2009
This entry is filed under Back Pain, Neck Pain, Prevention.

A University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine-led team found that how loads are distributed under backpack straps may help identify the source of shoulder and back pain in children. The study, published in the December 5, 2005 issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, concludes that the average backpack load that children are now carrying should be reduced.

A University of Michigan Study found that up to 60% of children will experience back pain by the time they reach 18 years of age.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 7,277 emergency room visits each year result from injuries related to book bags. The CPSC also reports that backpack-related injuries are up 330% since 1996.

Waist belts may cause forced excessive distribution across a growing pelvis leading to possible pelvic abnormalities. (Congress of Chiropractic State Associations and Prof. Mary Hickey Northeastern University, 2002)

Roller backpacks may result in forward head and thoracic deviations just as severe as children carrying excessively heavy backpacks. Though the load of the backpack is no longer on the skeletal structure, dragging the backpack may result in rotary forces on the spine through the involved arm. (Physical Therapy Products, March, 2002)

A study by Northeastern University (June, 01) reported that the average student has a VAS (visual analog scale) pain level of 4.3 with a high percent reporting pain in the range of 8-9. The students who wore an AirPacks backpack for six weeks had a VAS pain level of 1.8, a 50% reduction in pain.

When 200 New England school nurses were surveyed, 66% reported seeing students with pain or injury that could be attributed to carrying backpacks that were too heavy.

A study by Simmons College found that 55% of students carry more than the recommended guidelines of 10 – 15% (February, 2001)

Example: A child weighing:

- 50 lbs. should carry no more than 7.5 lbs.

- 80 lbs. should carry no more than 12 lbs.

- 100 lbs. should carry no more than 15 lbs.

- 130 lbs. should carry no more than 19.5 lbs.

- 150 lbs. should carry no more than 22.5 lbs.

Many children, teens and adults are carrying up to 40 lbs. and are potentially injuring themselves. LIT-FACT-3300 15.02.06a

Tips On Wearing Your Backpack Safely and Properly

Distribute the weight evenly. Put the heavier items on the bottom to keep the weight off of your shoulders and maintain better posture.

Wear both shoulder straps unless your pack is designed for use on one shoulder. Carrying a heavy backpack using one strap can shift the weight to one side, which can lead to neck and muscles spasms, low back pain and walking improperly

Choose backpacks that have heavily padded shoulder straps and a lumbar support. Non-padded straps dig into the shoulders causing pain due to compressional loading of the acromio-clavicular joints and stress on the trapezious muscles.

Choose a backpack that has a lumbar cushion. The lumbar cushion will redistribute weight to the lower extremities, creating a fulcrum that facilitates anupright standing position.

How You Can Prevent Back and Neck Pain

By Brendan on May 27, 2009
This entry is filed under Back Pain, Neck Pain, Prevention.

As the owner of your body, you have as great an influence over your spinal health as your doctor does. Your doctor will help you get out of pain, but it’s up to you to keep the pain from coming back. By making some simple lifestyle choices, you can remove one of the leading causes of recurrent back and neck pain, poor posture. Incorrect posture. Slouching reverses the natural curves of the spine.

In general, the bad influences of age, heredity, or accidents are uncontrollable. Yet, these become small obstacles to long-term back and neck pain solutions when you take control of your posture. Furthermore, not just standing posture, for we sit, sleep, and recline up to 90 percent of each day, 365 days a year.

Posture and spinal healthResearch shows the positions we place our spines in during activity or when at rest, will be either beneficial or create harmful stresses on muscles, ligaments, discs, nerve tissue, and bone.

Prolonged slouching which reverses the natural curves of the lumbar and cervical spine, can cause damage to spinal tissues. Over the years, repetitive poor posture can cause discomfort, pain, and conditions that may lead to the need for surgery.
Sitting and spinal healthOver time, we can damage our backs by hunching over our work at the office and/or sitting slouched in an unsupportive sofa, chair, or recliner at home. Correct sitting posture will help you prevent pain from recurring.
Correct posture.The cervical and lumbar regions are curved inward and properly supported.

To protect your back while sitting:
Maintain your spine’s natural posture by resting your back against a firm backrest with lumbar support.
While at your desk, use inward adjusting armrests to support your body upright to reduce harmful slouching and to take the upper body weight off your wrists to help prevent repetitive stress injuries.
Adjust your chair height and position so you’re close to your work reducing the need to lean forward.
Keep your feet on the floor, or support your feet with a footrest to reduce seated pressure.

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