Neck Pain

Healthy life, Neck Pain

5 Ways to Get Rid of Neck Pain

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Neck pain can be quite annoying as it can hinder your daily activities. You will have difficulty in moving the neck, which can even lead to shoulder pain and headache. The common reasons of neck pain are sleeping in an awkward position, stress, muscle strain, injury, sitting on your desk for long, bad posture, etc. Mostly people suffering from neck pain pop a pain killer and resume work. However, pain killers can only provide relief for some time. To get rid of neck pain completely, you can use the below-mentioned home remedies:

1. Massage

You can massage the affected area with olive or mustard oil. Massage it gently for several minutes until the oil gets in the skin. It will increase blood circulation and you will feel relieved and relaxed.

Massage

2. Hot water bath

A hot water bath will help in relaxing your muscles. Make sure that you keep your neck under the shower for some time. This will help in reducing the stiffness in the neck.

3. Exercise

You can perform several neck exercises as it can be extremely helpful in treating neck pain. The exercises will help in relieving tension that was caused by strained neck muscles. However, if the pain increases then stop doing the exercise immediately.

You can try out these:

4. Hot and Cold therapy

You can try using cold compresses for your neck by applying ice pack on the affected area. Ice will dull the pain as it will freeze the affected area. If the cold compresses are not showing any effect then you can try the hot therapy. Heat will increase the flow of blood and will thus reduce pain. You can continue with any of the therapy depending on the effect it had for your neck pain.

5.Acupuncture

Acupuncture is advisable for those who have chronic neck pain. It is a great way to relieve pressure inside the muscles and reduce pain.

 

Other than the aforesaid tips, it is important that you take good care of your neck. Follow these tips for preventing neck pains:

1. Posture

Your posture has a lot to do with the neck pain. So, make sure that you sit on the desk by keeping your back and neck straight.

2. Sleep

If you are sleeping in an awkward position then you will surely get up with a neck pain. Don’t use too many pillows. In fact, it is advisable to use a very thin and soft pillow under your head so that your body remains straight while sleeping.

Cat sleep

3. Meditate

Meditation will provide the much-wanted inner peace in our hectic lifestyle. It will reduce stress, which is a common cause of neck pains.

4. Exercise

Exercise every single day so that your muscles get stretched and your weight remains constant. You can perform any exercise that you enjoy doing like swimming, running, cycling, yoga, etc.

For severe neck pains, you can use a neck brace that will provide support to your neck. However, if the neck pain persists for long then you should consult your doctor immediately.

 

Neck Pain

5 Benefits Of Yoga For Neck Pain

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The prolonged hours of working and bad posture leads to a lot of body pain. If your job consists of sitting at one place for a long period of time, then you are sure to suffer from neck pain sometime or the other. Neck pains are extremely discomforting and if not treated on time then it can lead to serious injuries to your body. If the pain persists for some days or keeps recurring then it is better to consult a doctor.

However, if the neck pain is caused due to your working schedule then you can try exercising. Stiff necks can be treated well with the help of yoga exercises. Yoga can strengthen your muscles and increase flexibility in the neck. There are several yoga exercises that you can indulge in for treating neck pains.

One of the easiest exercises is a simple neck movement exercise. By rotating your neck gently in various directions, you are relaxing the muscles and reducing the pain. It is the basic exercise to get rid of neck pains. There are several variations for this asana. You need to begin by sitting on the yoga mat with your back straight and palm placed on your knees.

  • Variation 1: In this variation, you need to gently move your neck to the right, then front, and then to the left. Ensure that you do not move your shoulder. Breathe in while moving to left and right, and breathe out while moving to the front.
  • Variation 2: You need to move your neck up and down. Breathe in while moving up and breathe out while moving down.
  • Variation 3: Move your head in a circular motion. Breathe in while moving up and breathe out while moving down.
  • Variation 4: In this variation, move your neck in such a manner that your ear touches the shoulder. Ensure that you do not move your shoulder. Breathe in when you are going down and breathe out when you are coming up.

It is important to keep breathing in the right manner while performing yoga exercises. You can even consult yoga practitioners as they will byoga necke able to provide accurate guidance. However, always ensure that you do all yoga movements slowly and without stressing any part of your body.

Yoga exercises have always been a simple and easy method to cure joint and muscle pains. It can even prevent diseases like high blood-pressure, diabetes, etc. Here are some important benefits of practicing yoga on a daily basis:

  • The exercises will strengthen your weaker muscles.
  • They will improve the flow of blood and boost the levels of hemoglobin.
  • Flexibility of the muscles can be enhanced with yoga asanas.
  • Bad posture can be cured with the help of yoga.
  • The overall health of the bones will improve; thus, keeping them strong and healthy.

Moreover, performing yoga exercises every day will boost your immunity and keep you protected from various diseases. So, practice the aforesaid asanas to treat your neck pain and to keep it functioning well.

 

Back Pain, Headache, Knee pain, Neck Pain

5 Important Benefits of Physiotherapy

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Physiotherapy is a physical therapy prescribed by doctors in order to improve the patient’s mobility and functional abilities. It is beneficial to those patients who cannot be fully cured with the help of medicines.

Physiotherapy involves physical exercises that need to be done by patients for relief. The treatment is recommended for patients with orthopedic disorders, fractures, balance problems, or those patients who undergo amputation surgery. It is a most widely recommended treatment for many ailments, and scientifically one of the most trusted ways to heal motor organs.

Physiotherapy provides several benefits and mentioned below are the five important benefits of the treatment:

  • Patients suffering from a lot of pain due to different ailments benefit considerably by undergoing Physiotherapy. The treatment eases the pain, and the patients experience vast improvement in their condition on performing the recommended exercises. The therapy stimulates their organs, reduces pain, and boosts recovery procedure.
  • It benefits a lot of sportsmen who suffer from sports injuries, such as tennis elbow, hamstrings, adductors, etc. Sports persons are exposed to several injuries due to their line of work. They have to risk themselves to bruises, muscle pull, ligament tear, etc. Many injuries which were incurable with medicinesphysiotherapy or surgeries earlier can be easily cured with the help of Physiotherapy treatments.
  • It has also proven to be beneficial in cases of chronic disorders such as Parkinson’s, heart stroke, multiple sclerosis, etc. It helps the patients by reducing their agony that arises from the ailment, and also gives them strength to slowly the fight and recover from their progressing ailment.
  • Haemophilia is a rare disorder where it is impossible to control the bleeding of the person suffering from the ailment. Physiotherapy is advisable to all patients suffering from Haemophilia as it helps them to recuperate sooner from their injuries. Haemophillia patients are usually advised for a five course program that comprises of protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation in order to heal faster.
  • It is also of a great help to patients who are not able to perform their day-to-day functions due to problems such as breathlessness, lack of stamina, recurring pain in motor organs, etc. The treatment enhances their stamina and increases their capacity to endure pain, which in turn helps them to perform their daily activities smoothly and efficiently.

In short, Physiotherapy is one of the most significant factors which contribute to the health of millions of people across the globe.

 

Back Pain, Headache, Neck Pain

Top 5 Natural Pain Relievers

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Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States, with over 26 percent of the population over the age of 20 reporting frequent, persistent pain that lasts more than a day. But prescription and over-the-counter drugs are not the only answer to relieving pain. There are other, healthier alternatives these sufferers can turn to that pose less side effects and can actually help to improve overall health. Research scientists are finally beginning to recognize that the foods we eat can influence our body’s reaction to pain and other chronic conditions.

A Bowl Full of Cherriescherry

Cherries contain natural antioxidants that curb pain enzymes and block inflammation that is often associated with acute and chronic pain. Eating as few as 45 cherries per day is enough to kick start your body’s natural defenses to block pain and inflammation. Alternatively, drinking two 12-ounce glasses of 100% cherry juice per day can provide the same benefits.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is loaded with natural antibiotic properties that can assist in easing pain related to ulcers and frequent yeast infections. These properties help to block the H. pylori pathogen that attacks the lining of the stomach which causes ulcers. A single 8-ounce glass of 100% natural cranberry juice every day will help to block the pain, as well as improve your overall health.

If the bitter taste of cranberry juice is too much for you to swallow, you can try sweetening up this healthy beverage by adding a natural sweetener. However, it is not advisable to add sugar to cranberry juice, as the sugar will act as an inflammatory agent, reversing the desired effects of your juice. Consider adding a natural sweetener such as Stevia instead.

Peppermint Leavespeppermint

Peppermint does more than just fight off bad breath; it can do wonders to alleviate headaches and pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). How does it work? Well, the menthol compound found in the oils of peppermint leaves acts as a natural muscle relaxer to prohibit muscle spasms. Drinking one to two cups of hot peppermint tea is all you will need to help relieve a persistent headache or IBS symptoms.

Ginger Root

Ginger root is typically used to add flavor to our meals and reducing nausea and seasickness symptoms, but researchers have discovered it can be a highly useful herbal remedy. One-quarter teaspoon of ginger per day has been linked to alleviating migraine headaches, arthritis, and post-workout aches and pains. There are many ways that you can use this herb, too! In addition to sprinkling it on your favorite dish, you can choose to use the root to make a hot herbal tea or a cool glass of ginger lemonade.

Fish

Fish such as salmon and tuna have been linked to reducing pain that is associated with joint inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids and calcitonin that is found in deep-sea fish have been clinically proven to help fight pain. Alternatively, you can choose to take a fish oil supplement every day, however a supplement may not work as well against your pain as fresh foods normally would. This is because our bodies metabolize vitamin and mineral supplements at a different rate than we normally do for the foods we eat.

fish

With the rate of chronic pain on the rise and the high risks involved with many prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers, researchers have begun to look at new, alternative ways to help patients with acute and chronic pain. The choices we make when choosing our meals, coupled with daily exercise, has been proven to help many patients achieve the relief they need.

 

9 to 5 Workday, Neck Pain

Position Your Monitor Correctly to Avoid Neck Pain from Sitting

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pain the the cervical spine

Today, with an increasing percentage of people spending extensive amounts of time in front of a computer monitor, there has been a sudden increase in neck and back related issues. According to a recent study, more than 60 percent of all office going individuals who spend at least half of their day in front of a computer screen are bound to face problems associated with neck pain from sitting at some point in the year.

Lack of Awareness

What’s surprising is that even with the rising incidences of these issues, there has been no real effort from a major share of employers to educate their workers on the importance of maintaining the proper working position in front of the computer and taking regular breaks from sitting. If you don’t want to end up on the wrong side of the pain spectrum, it’s imperative that you take proper care of yourself and make adjustments to your workspace, specifically your computer monitor. This is because poorly positioned computer monitors are the ruling cause for neck and back pains among office goers.

Making The Change

Having to decide on the best location for your monitor on your work desk can be a tricky challenge. However, you need to remember that if proper thought is not applied in this regard, you will end up experiencing excruciatingly painful days ahead over a period of time. The issues you experience would include headaches, strain to the eyes, and most importantly, neck pain from sitting long hours, which could be debilitating. The following pointers will give you a perspective on how to position your monitor in the optimal ergonomic position.

setup your desk

  • If you are working for extended hours in front of a monitor, the optimal position for your monitor would be at the center of your table directly in front of your eyes.
  • Your monitor needs to be at an arm’s length away from your seated position.
  • When it comes to height, the ideal would be to place your monitor at a height that is exactly at eye level. To achieve this, you could either lower your monitor or raise the height of your chair. Regardless of whether it is too high or too low, it would be putting strain on your neck. In the scenario where you are working with a large monitor, say larger than 20 inches, your monitor needs to be placed so that upper limit of your viewing area is around 3 inches above eye level.
  • By tilting your monitor a teeny bit upwards so that the base is a bit closer to you in comparison to the top. By doing this, you can view the whole screen and its contents with more clarity. Tilting the monitor downwards doesn’t really work in your favor in any scenario except maybe to avoid glaring lights
  • If you find yourself hunched over with your nose almost touching the screen, it means you either need to get some new prescription glasses or you need to adjust the font size. The size of your text displayed on the monitor should be at least two to three times larger than the size of the smallest text you can read. Smaller sized fonts can actually cause neck pain from sitting over an extended period of time.

Following these tips can go a long way in preventing unnecessary strain on your neck and back and thus avoid painful neck injuries. You can’t obviously cut down your time in front of your monitor, so making these adjustments would keep you safe and capable of maintaining your quality of life.