The Dreaded Hunchback - How to Correct That Area of Your Upper Back That Pops Out and Looks Funny!

Today's Blog Post is Courtesy of Dr.Bellinger of CT Spine and Disc Center near Hartford CT. Today he discusses a special type of posture that we all call the "hunchback"- and how to take steps to correct and prevent it:

How does this dreaded "hunchback" form? This condition actually stems from poor neck and upper back posture. What happens is your upper back starts shifting up and back. So that "hunch", is actually bone.


This phenomenon happens because the neck spine shifts forward. They call this forward head posture or forward head carriage.


The whole spine works together. When one section is shifted or misaligned, it causes problems elsewhere. So as the neck spine shifts forward and looses it's normal alignment and curvature, the upper back spine starts pushing up and back increasing it's curve.


What is the concern if you have a slight "hunching" of the upper back?. First off, it doesn't look good and it will get worse, looking worse. But more important; if you have it, you know for a fact that your neck and upper back are out of alignment. This is extremely important because research shows that any spinal misalignments eventually puts pressure on nerves. Any pressure on nerves means the body is not working at it's best. This not only predisposes you for neck pain, back pain, and headaches, but can cause something even worse.

So how do you correct this "bone" that's popping out? Answer - we simply need to correct the posture and spine alignment. With this particular problem, the best way is with a good neck neck pillow and neck traction device.

A good neck pillow is one that gives the proper neck support when you sleep. The Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow supports your neck while improving alignment.

A true neck traction device will help bring the head and neck back and improve the neck curve even more quickly.

Restoring the normal neck curvature and improving forward head posture will then restore upper back posture and alignment. The upper back spine that was protruding or "hunching" up and back will move back down and forward.

Not only will this neck pillow and neck traction devise correct that ugly "hunch back", it will prevent it from ever occurring to begin with!

Source:
Ezine Health Articles: How to Correct that Area of Your Upper Back That Pops Out and Looks Funny!

Additional Reading Resources:

• End Your Neck Pain with True Neck Traction
  
• How to have Proper Neck Posture
  
• Neck pain Support Blog
  

Visit Arc4life for stiff neck, neck pain, pinched nerve in the neck and other symptoms. Arc4life specializes in cervical neck pillows, neck stretches and pain relief products for home.


Bookmark this on Delicious

Stumble It!

The Importance of using a Good Neck Pillow for Sleeping to Prevent Stiff Neck

Waking up with a stiff neck is not fun at all. It can only ruin a great day, but it can affect all the activities you planned for that day. One way to make sure you are getting the best nights sleep is to use a good cervical orthopedic neck support pillow. It can make a big difference and make sure that your neck is positioned correctly. Basically you want a neck pillow that will conform to the cervical spine shape: A C curve. This is the best sleeping position for your neck. The cervical traction neck pillow is an example of a great neck pillow for sleeping. It has two distinct sides to the pillow:

• Support Side of the pillow- support for the cervical spine and support for the neck muscles
  
• Traction Side of the pillow- this will give you a gentle stretch in your neck while you are sleeping. This is particularly good if you have arthritis of the neck, a disc herniation or bulge, or even stiffness of the neck muscles

With an effective neck pillow, you can experience a deep sound sleep because your body is able to relax. Muscle spasms are decreased because pressure is relieved when your head and neck are supported correctly. Blood flows better through relaxed muscles, thus enhancing circulation. A good neck pillow can even reduce snoring and allowing for easier breathing while sleeping because you air passages are unrestricted.

Enough cannot be said about using the right and correct neck pillow for sleeping at night. Check out Arc4life's Neck Pillow Reviews to help you choose the best neck pillow for sleeping.

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units



Bookmark this on Delicious

Stumble It!

Indians’ Cliff Lee May be Sidelined due to Stiff Neck

BOSTON - Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians in Major League Baseball. Lee may not be playing on Sunday because of a pain in his neck, specifically a stiff neck. Lee ability to play on Sunday was already undecided, as the Indians are considering sitting him if the White Sox's playoff fate is determined by that regular-season finale. And now that Lee -- the likely American League Cy Young Award winner -- is dealing with a stiff neck, his chances of making the start have decreased even further.

Manager Eric Wedge didn't make Lee's neck condition out to be serious, describing it only as "a little stiff." But the Indians, obviously, wouldn't have much incentive to push Lee, who didn't throw his regularly scheduled bullpen session on Thursday. Wedge stated that Lee received treatment on Wednesday and they would see how he felt on Friday

Lee's stuff has lacked some of its luster his last three outings, in which he's gone 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA. The loss on Tuesday night at Fenway Park was his first since July 6. Before the neck stiffness was divulged by Wedge, Lee said that he would like to make Sunday's start.

"It's not my decision," Lee said. "My job is to pitch when they want me to pitch, and that's what I'll do. I definitely want to pitch every chance I get."

A Stiff Neck will prevent any player from putting their best ball forward; A stiff neck will cause decrease cervical range of motion, making it difficult for any movement. This soreness can be caused by sleeping incorrectly, keeping the head and neck in one position for a long time, trauma, or an accident. Even simple activities such as having poor posture while watching tv, or too aggressive exercise can cause neck pain. Having muscle spasms or neck tension can increase the symptoms of a stiff neck.

Doing neck exercises that involve stretching and strenghtening are important to prevent a stiff neck; Using ice can decrease pain and reduce inflammation. Using a natural pain relieving gel like BioFreeze can help with muscle spasm and tension. Finally, even massage therapy can be of benefit for a stiff neck. Sleeping on a good ergonomic cervical neck pillow will ensure that your head and neck will be in a proper position for sleeping.

Source:
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

Additional Resources:

• Dealing with a Stiff Neck Can be A Real Pain in the Neck
  
• Sally and her Stiff Neck: Solutions for Neck Pain Relief
  

Photo Source:
Flickr Photographer by WordofMouth

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.


Bookmark this on Delicious

Stumble It!

Working on a computer all day long...as a graphic designer...with neck pain

I recently answered a Yahoo answer for this desperate soul who works on her computer everyday as a graphic designer; Here is a snippet of her story:


"I've been doing computer work for years and have developed a sharp stabbing pain between my shoulder blades, around the T3 joint. I've been doing PT for a while but it's not doing much. Anybody out there do tons of computer work and have had the same problem/ overcome the same problem? My ergonomics are good. Great chair, monitor at eye level, special keyboard, even have two mouses to switch back and forth. I just don't know. Maybe got to lay off for a few months. But all my qualifications are in graphic design - on computers! I literally have no experience doing anything outside of that. Got into the biz straight out of a degree in digital media. Talk about running into a serious career block!" - Ms. Graphic Designer

Here are some suggestions for Ms. Graphic Designer:

Wow, this is really affecting your work..not good. Okay here are some suggestions. I know you said you have looked at the ergonomics of your desk and chair. Check out this link for a litte more information on how the position of your computer screen and chair can make a big difference. It discusses the angle of the computer screen, keyboard height, leg position. Read more about Neck Posture in the Office

Do take breaks throughout the day. Set a timer if you need to every hour. A 5 minute break (on the clock) will really help you. When you do take breaks, make sure to stand up, stretch, do some neck exercises and stretch out your upper back muscles. Simple stretching exercises for the neck can make such a big difference- Flexion, Extension, lateral bending and rotation. Consider doing them first thing in the A.M, when taking a hot shower (letting the water hit your neck). Not to the point of pain, only to the point of a stretch. During the day, have a ice pack ready to go at the office that you can apply to your back if you are having acute pain.

Also when you are sitting, watch the placement of your shoulders. So many of us raise our shoulders as we are typing, especially if we are concentrating. Make a concious effort to push your head back (cervical retractione exercise), and bring your shoulders down in a relaxed position.

I think a deep tissue massage with specific muscle work to the thoracic paraspinals, rhomboids and trapezius musculature would help reduce the muscle spasms in the upper back and neck area. You can do this at home as well with the addition of a pain relief gel, like biofreeze. Have someone help you. You can a really good neck back massager as well for home use.

I am glad to see that your MRI was free of disc herniations and disc bulges for the cervical spine. You may want to try traction in the neck and see if this gives you some relief of neck pain and soreness. You can just do gentle traction to the neck, which will promote proper alignment in the c-spine. You can accomplish this with a traction unit (like a posture pump 1000) and even a good cervical support neck pillow for sleeping at night.

Finally, do you exercise during the day? A mixture of cardio, and strength exercises will make a big difference to how you feel overall. Consider taking a yoga class to increase your flexibility.

I hope my suggestions are helpful to you. Your career sounds important to you and I hope you are able to make it more comfortable for yourself.

Extra Reading: True Neck Traction with Pronex Pneumatic Traction Unit at Home: A Blog Post
Picture Source: NoiRcORNEr on Flickr

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.


Bookmark this on Delicious

Stumble It!

True Neck Traction with the Pronex Pneumatic traction unit

REAL NECK TRACTION – USING THE PRONEX PNEUMATIC TRACTION DEVICE- UNDERSTANDING NECK TRACTION
To start there are 2 kinds of neck traction. One that essentially just stretches you. This would be like a neck brace or over the door device or an air bubble type around the neck. This is similar to someone pulling your head upwards.
Doing this does open up the IVF’s which are your intervertebral foramen where the nerve roots exit off The spinal cord and travel outward branching out to more nerves going to various parts of the body. This type of traction gives short term relief, opening up the nerve holds temporarily taking pressure off the nerves and reducing inflammation. This traction also helps hold the neck in place so it heals better in someone with a trauma who cannot move their neck.
The kind of neck traction most people need and should use is traction that gives a gentle stretch about also restores the curvature in the neck.
The Normal “C” curve of the neck allows for the proper IVF spacing (in other words- space for the nerve roots to exit without any pressure). Having the normal neck curvature helps keep pressure of the nerves long term. This way pain goes away and stays away.
The Pronex neck traction device is the top of the line real neck traction to restore the neck curvature and help get rid of neck pain and other unwanted symptoms of pressure on your neck nerves.
The vast majority of neck pain sufferers and even headache sufferers can benefit tremendously from the use of this type of traction. The normal curve of the cervical spine is a huge piece to the puzzle of staying healthy and removing neck pain and other related symptoms.
The posture pump 1000 is also very good at restoring the neck curvature and when combined with neck stretches and exercises and other natural pain relief methods and muscle relaxing. Check out the The Neck Pain Relief Kit for fast and long lasting relief.

Visit us online at Arc4life.com


Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!

Sally and her stiff neck: Solutions for neck pain relief

My friend Sally was experiencing right sided neck pain. She could not bring her right ear to her right shoulder, or turn her head from sided to side. She had tried heat and even a neck massager, but nothing worked.

Solution: It appears that Sally has a muscle sprain/strain- she has pain in the neck plus decrease in range of motion in lateral flexion. She could have slept incorrectly, done repetitive motions (for example typing for a prolonged period of time) with her head in an awkward position, jerked her head in a uncomfortable way---- many many things that could have caused this. One solution would be try to take a hot shower and do some gentle stretches with her neck specifically: forward flexion (bringing her chin to her chest), bending her head to each side, and extending her head back. Sally should not do these to the point of pain- only to the point of feeling a stretch. Also, she should try to use biofreeze natural pain relieving gel for the muscle spasms in her neck. Finally, she should get a good cervical support neck pillow for sleeping so that she can sleep with her head and neck properly supported- try a traction pillow.

Is a flat or fluffy pillow better for someone who has neck and shoulder pain?

A Flat pillow is not good, and too fluffy is not good either. You want to get a pillow that is going to give you proper support in your cervical spine when you sleep.The best suggestion would be to get a pillow that has a roll on it- that way you can support the head neck properly. Yes, these types of cervical pillows can take a while to get used to, but they are very effective. I am not a big fan of the temper pedic type pillows because they do not give you the proper support in your neck, plus they are temperature sensitive. I have used the cervical traction neck pillow from www.arc4life.com- its a good pillow- read their testimonials to see how people with different neck conditions have been helped.

How to reduce the chances of getting a stiff neck...

A Stiff Neck.... Horrible especially when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is going to be one painful day. You are stiff, your neck hurts, you cannot turn your head, even brushing your teeth hurts. We get questions about how to treat a stiff neck all the time. Today, I want to talk about how to reduce the chances of getting a stiff neck. I speak from experience and from emails that i have received from customers in pain...

1. Don't use too many pillows when you sleep - It is not healthy to sleep with 3-4 pillows under your neck. Why would you do that? The goal is not to read in bed, but to SLEEP comfortably in your bed. Plus it puts your neck in an uncomfortable position, creating tension in the muscles and nerve irritation
   
2. Don't sleep on your stomach or in an awkward position - Granted some nights you have had a few extra drinks, maybe your passed out wherever you ended up- Lying on the couch or sprawled out on your bed on your stomach is not healthy for your neck. If you put your neck in that twisted position for 8 hours (maybe longer), you are putting undue pressure on your neck structures and your head. Furthermore, sleeping on your stomach distorts the pelvis and results in excessive strain on the joints, muscles and nerves of your lower back.
   
   
3. Finally, treat sleep as an important part of your day- With proper sleep comes proper rest and healing for your body. Is is worth it for you to take a few extra steps to make sure your body is ready for a good nights sleep? I think so- its better than being in pain all day, not being able to check your blind spot, that's for sure.
   So get a good neck pillow to start. One solution is to get a good neck pillow for sleeping. Try to get a pillow with an indentation in the middle (this is where your head will rest). A good cervical support pillow and will put your neck into the proper position for sleeping, on your side or on your back. Then even if you do toss and turn, your neck will not be sore and stiff in the morning. So first things first, get a good cervical support pillow. Check out the cervical traction neck pillow at http://www.arc4life.com/ for a start. Here is great news article about how to choose the right neck pillow for you. Finally, think about doing some neck stretches in the morning. Cervical exercises are good for posture, keeping your neck flexible, and maintaining good range of motion.
   
   

Help, I woke up with a Stiff neck ! How do I get rid of it?

Help me i have a bad stiff neck ! how do i get rid of it???? please help!!!!
Imagine, you wake up one morning, and you have stiffness in your neck and you cannot move your head.

You probably slept uncomfortably in an awkward position. A stiff neck often results when you have slept incorrectly, thereby straining the muscles of the neck. It can also result after being on the telephone for too long, or for driving long periods. You want to first of all deal with this stiff neck. Take a warm/hot shower and slowly flex your head forward and backward as far as you can without pain. Also laterally bend and turn your head side to side. Use a natural pain relieving gel like Biofreeze. To properly use this read this Neck Pain Support Blog Post on how to decrease muscle spasm using biofreeze. Also, get used to doing some sort of neck stretches every morning to prevent a stiff neck in the first place. Read our Neck Pain Support Blog for Fast and Easy Stretches for the Cervical Spine. Finally, you need to have a good cervical support neck pillow while you sleep: Try the Cervical Traction neck pillow. It is the best neck pillow for sleeping and preventing a stiff neck. This neck pillow will keep your neck in the proper position while sleeping.

Visit us at Arc4life.com for informative articles on neck pain as well as neck pain relief products.