What Causes Neck Pain?

Ultimately, there can be many causes of her neck pain. What most often it comes down to is pressure on the nerves. That pressure means pain or another unwanted symptom.

Now that we know that the question is how did we get that nerve pressure. Was it a sports injury, was it a slip or fall, was it sleeping on the wrong pillow?

Either way we, most likely, want to get rid of it. The best recommendation is to sleep on the right pillow. In the vast majority of cases that's the cervical traction neck pillow.

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

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The Difference Between Soreness and Pain

What is the difference between being sore and being in pain? Soreness is often a good thing; you are building muscle or stretching out ligaments, etc...

Those are two perfect examples actually. Let's say I do neck traction for too long or too many pounds; I will be sore. The body just isn't used to it and ligaments and/or tendons are being stretched. It'll feel like an ache.

Just like when you go work out or maybe lift weights for the first time in awhile, you may be sore.

That's or main tell-tale sign - what were you doing that precipitated this painlike sensation. If you over-did a workout, or did it for the first time, you are using new muscle groups or at least using one that haven't been worked like that in a while - that's soreness, and is normal. Now if this persists for days and started following a awkward movement it can be pain. 

My suggestion is to take a break or take it easy on that body part for the next week or until it feels better.

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Neck Pain In The Car...

Have you ever noticed how taxi drivers very still. I have a family member who is driver and I must say he always seems so relaxed and in control behind the wheel. They don't even flinch. Whereas I'm turning my head, my body, even both to look here, there, blind spots, you name it.

I guess if you're a driver and you move around a lot, there's a greater chance you can throw something out of whack. More alarming is having a horrible posture that you do everyday in the car; your body will start to conform to that posture. You know, that posture where you have a low right shoulder, that arm on the gear shift, and the left shoulder high with that arm up on the steering wheel.

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I have been Diagnosed With a Military Neck? What can you Suggest for home treatment?

A Military Neck basically means that you have a straightening of the cervical curve in your neck. Meaning that normally you should have a "C" shaped spinal curve if one was to look at you from the side profile on an x-ray. This also affects the discs in the spine. The fluid is forced out of the disc when the vertebrae are pushed forward.  When the neck loses this C shape that is normal, they call it is a military spine. A straightening of the cervical curve has occurred.

How can this happen? Well it is not an overnight occurrence. It happens very gradually over time- often taking months or years. It can happen from such things as:

• being at a computer desk for many hours
• spinal injury that involved hyper extension
• a whiplash type of accident
• having a slouched posture when walking or sitting
• sleeping on a pillow that is too high to too low

A military neck can be the cause of neck stiffness, aching and pain.

So what can help with this condition of the neck? Two things I am going to suggest: a special pillow and a device to help stretch your neck in the right direction. Your plan of action will be to use the traction device during the day for 10-15 min at a time and use a special pillow at night. Alongside with this, doing postural exercises will also be beneficial.

A specialized pillow with contours will help you get the proper curve in the spine. At first sleeping on such a pillow can be painful and cause soreness. However overtime it will help your neck and also you will sleep better with proper posture. One example is the arc4life traction pillow. For a more firmer pillow choice, the tri-core pillow is also great ( I would recommend the gentle version of this neck pillow).

A traction device to help you get the curve back in the neck is the posture pump 1000. This traction device stretches your neck in the C Curved shape. You can get upwards of 20 lbs of pressure with this traction unit. You have a lay down while you do this. Not only does the traction unit help to get the proper curvature in the spine, it also helps to hydrate the discs as well. Here is a video showing you how to use the posture pump hydrating the discs and helping you get rid of the military neck:



Off course we always suggest at arc4life that you have your cervical spine checked by a doctor to make sure you are cleared for neck traction. A proper consultation, examination and x-rays can help determine what your spine looks like.  These are suggestions for treatment of a militatry neck, but keep in mind there are contra-indications to doing neck traction as well. So check with your Doctor first. 

Additional Reading Resources

• Having a Pinched Nerve in the Neck..What a Pain in the Neck
• How the arc4life traction pillow can help you get the curve in the your c spine
• Understanding how the posture pump 1000 hydrates your discs
• The Different Types of Neck Traction Recommended by Doctors
• How having good neck posture helps you neck pain

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Can my Neck being off Contribute to my Cold?

Misalignment's in the Spine Create
Pressure Elsewhere in the Body

Short answer is Yes.  For your body to work 100%, you need to have good alignment.  If your neck hurts or you have a neck muscle strain it won't.  This tells me you may have a misaligned neck.

Misalignment's mean pressure on nerves.  Pressure there means that the body doesn't work at it's best.  All communication comes from the brain down.  Any interference whatsoever means a decrease in the body's function and your health.

Also, keep in mind there are nerves that go to the nose and sinuses, etc... Things you especially need working when recouping from a cold.

Get that neck back in alignment to start your healing process!

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Additional Reading Resources:

• I sleep on my Stomach and I cannot break with Habit
• What is this pinched nerve in my neck?
• Neck Exercises that Help with Pain
• A Neck Misalignment. Now What?
• Sleeping on a Traction Pillow. Why it worked for me...

One Simple Way to Appear Taller and Slimmer

Simply, Don't Slouch.

You can appear taller and slimmer quite easily actually. Don't slouch when you are walking, when you are sitting, or even when you are using your computer or watching TV. Bad posture can lead to hunchback posture. It can look unslightly, and it can cause health problems such as:

• back pain
• neck pain
• slipped discs
• degeneration in the spine
• circulation problems

When you have good posture, you will feel it too. You will exude more confidence, and most importantly you will breathe better. Change up your computer station and how you sleep to help with your posture if you have to. If you need to leave a note for yourself on your mirror, do it. When your mother and father tell you to sit up or stand tall, listen.

Additional Reading Resources:

1. Pinched Nerve in the Neck- how to treat it.
2. Choose the Best Neck Pillow for The Best Sleep and Posture Possible
3. Your Mind Plays a Bigger Role in Your Health Than You Think
4. Getting the information on herniated disc that you need
5. What to do if you have suffered with neck pain for 10 Years?

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An Easy Way to Stretch the Neck

One thing that makes a product great is easy-ability of use. This is why I like the Trac-Collar. Also, you can do it sitting up. If you're a multi-tasker like me, you can even read or watch tv if you like. Here's a video on how easy it is to do this kind of neck traction.

This type of neck stretcher can yield a lot of relief for someone who suffers from a herniated disc, bulging disc, spinal stenosis, degeneration of the spine or a pinched nerve in the neck.

 

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

Additional Reading Resources:

• Herniated Disc in the Neck
• Neck Pain Relief: Neck Traction Devices that really work
• A closer look at neck traction
• I've been getting neck pain, What could it be?
• Using the trac collar in conjunction with the arc4life pillow for spinal stenosis

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What is Homeopathy? Would using a neck pillow be Homepathic?

HELP THE BODY HEAL ITSELF

Well, first of all what is Homeopathy? And it's a natural way of helping the body naturally to correct whatever problem is ailing it. So technically, using the pillow can be homeopathic. You are sleeping on the neck roll which is restore the natural curve, thus allowing nervous system energy to flow with no interference.

In other words, helping the body to heal itself better naturally. Losing that neck curve is one of the most common postural misalignment, and especially these day with the extra computer time, and time texting, etc, it's more common than you think.

So, using a neck pillow like the Cervical Linear traction Pillow can be a great natural way to get rid of problematic symptoms like neck pain.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Arc4life- Choose the best neck pillow for the best sleep
• Exercises for the Neck
• Do you have a Straight Neck? aka Military Neck?
• Available Natural Pain Treatments
• How Can What I Eat Play a Role in My Neck Pain?

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

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Your Mind Plays A Bigger Role In Your Health Than You Think...

You have to master your emotions before you master your health.  I was reminded of this today when I was reading a story of a young man who was involved in a horrific car motorcycle accident.  Not only did he have severe neck pain but other pains and injuries as well.

If this particular person “just gave up” and said “Ok, that’s it, I’m disabled or I can’t do this or that myself... then he mine as well “give up”.  This particular person didn’t however, and went on to win at the Olympics and become a multimillionaire and more.

It really came down to his mind and his attitude.  So if you ever think -  I can’t – my neck pain is unrelenting or my headaches...or whatever; think of this guy.  He was able to overcome his pains and go on to live a great life.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Finally, a Pillow that Helps my Poor Damaged Neck
• One solution to neck pain: try a new pillow and a new traction unit
• The Brain and How it Related to your Neck
• Hypnotizing Your Pain Away: The Secret of Mind Over Matter
• Study Shows that Even a Small amount of Meditation Can Improve Cognitive Skills

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"I hurt My Neck Working Out..."

In today's day and age, it seems that all the workouts are very intense. You have heard of the intense work outs such as p90x, Insanity, or BootCamp Training- they all appear to be very physically tough. The chances of becoming injured are greater. There are times when we strain our necks or backs. Safety is key; and I'm not saying these workouts are not safe, they are. If you notice the instructors all preach safety. We all know from doing exercise, if you hurt yourself then you can't work out for days or even weeks.

That being said, one of the most common injuries we see is a neck or back one. Think of it, you're pushing yourself to do another 5 reps of your last set of abs. Your neck was hurting a bit, but you wanted to push through the pain. The next day you wake up, barely able to move your neck. What Happened? You may have pushed it too much and strained your neck!

Now, not only can you not work out for awhile, but you have to deal with pain constantly.

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

Additional Reading Resources

• A Positive Connection Between Alzheimer Patients and Exercise
• Choose the Best Neck Pillow
• Remedy for a Stiff Neck
• Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain Through Exercise
• Cervical Spinal Stenosis treatment

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Knowing All About Your Neck

It's important to know your neck and back anatomy to get rid of pain. Knowing just a bit about your spine and anatomy can help you make better decisions on your path to wellness.
   


Additional Reading Resources:

• The Many Benefits of the Arc4life Cervical Traction Neck Pillow
• How Maintaining Your Spine Angles Helps to Maintain Your Health
• The Best Ice pack for your Neck and Shoulders
• Neck-Pillows and Neck-traction devices to Help your Neck Pain
• Anatomy of The Neck

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I Want to Do More Exercise But My Neck Pain Prevents Me

How can you Exercise even
if you are having neck pain

I recently wrote how we need to exercise our minds too. I remember being in graduate school, and I could not gain weight even when  I tried. Did I exercise? Sure. But did I physically exercise everything off that I ate? No Way. The thing was that I was busy and I studied all the time. I woke up, had breakfast, went to class, ate snacks throughout the day, went to lunch, went back to class, till 5 pm or so. and ate large dinner. I also went to the gym a few days a week before dinner.

So if you are physically hurt, try exercising the mind and keeping busy while you heal.

Now this is more for an acute injury that you foresee yourself healing up eventually. What about those chronic pain cases?

Here is what I want you to do: Devote a good deal of time to getting rid of this pain. Maybe you see a chiropractor regularly, then at home you do neck traction, maybe go for a massage a couple times, or maybe even acupuncture.

Forget about cost for a change. How much is it worth to you to get rid of this pain so it doesn't rule your life.

So that's it - devote your time to fixing this problem and do other things until you can work back up to the exercise routine you want.

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Additional Reading Resources:

• Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain Through Exercise
• How to Get Rid of Painful Trigger Points and Muscle Pain Naturally
• Arc4life- Your Go To Source for Neck Pain Relief
• Anatomy of the Neck Muscles
• Inflammation - a Big Culprit When it Comes to pain

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Using a hot and cold pack for your Neck, Shoulders and Upper Back

In this special video Dr. Bellinger discusses a great hot and cold pack that works well on your neck, upper back and shoulders. This 9x16 hot and cold pack is very versatile and works great for muscle spasm, neck pain, upper back pain and shoulder pain.

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Inflammation - A BIG Culprit when it comes to PAIN !

There are a few things that we are confronted with daily that increase inflammation. Those things include sugars, poor oils (aka processed foods), stress, drinking and smoking in access, and lack of exercise.

Here are some things that are good for you and reduce inflammation.

First always try to think fresh fruits and vegetables. When you are able to, try to choose certain produce that is organic. Also, grass fed meats plus poultry should also be chosen.

Some other things I really like are turmeric, coffee, ginger and garlic. The anti oxidants and other healthy positives cannot be ignored.

Inflammation is typically the reason most people have pain. The reason is for this inflammation puts pressure on your nerves. We often think bones get misaligned and put pressure on terms. Bones get restricted or stuck. Because things are stuck and don't move that allows inflammation to build. Whereas we have proper movement, inflammation will dissipate and escape the body.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Which Fruits and Veges should you eat Organic?
• Using Hot and Cold Therapy for Pain Relief
• What to do for a Herniated Disc In the Neck
• Understanding Why the Arc4life Pillow Helps to Decrease inflammation and Neck Pain
• Decreasing Muscle Pain by Eating Ginger Everyday

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Why Does the Arc4life Neck Traction Pillow Work so Well?

There are two big components to the arc4life cervical traction neck pillow. The first one is the neck roll. This helps to improve ones cervical curvature while back sleeping. On your side the pillow keeps your head level, in other words, keeps your spine straight when looking at it from the front or back. When viewing the neck spine from the side you have the perfect c curve.

Keeping a c curvature in the neck or cervical spine is important. This keeps pressure off of nerves. You may think to yourself, "I have no pain, My spine is great.". However, this isnt necessarily true. Only a small percentage of nerves actually detect pain. With millions of nerve impulses every minute you better believe that nerves control other things. The nervous system is our master control system, and we need to keep it free from interference.

This brings to the next big component of the traction pillow - the "V" in the center of the pillow. This opens up the nerve holes on each side of the spine to free up the nerves. The c curve only only opens up the holes or the intervertebral foramen, but allows the spine to function at its best. If the spine can function at its best, so can the nerves, and so can your body.

Additional Resources:

• The Arc4life Pillow comes in a large size and an extra firm support level
• How to Use the Traction Side of the Arc4life Pillow for Maximum Pain Relief and Better Sleep
• The Top 10 Factors to Consider when choosing a neck pillow
• The New pillow Pedic at the Neck Pain Relief Shop
• Herniated Disc In the Neck - Treatment options

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

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Is it Normal For there To Be An Adjustment Period With Using a New Cervical Pillow?

Using a new pillow at night?

Is is normal for there to be an adjustment period for using a new neck pillow? I recently received this question from a customer who had ordered the tri core orthopedic neck pillow. The short answer is YES. This is normal. When you use a new pillow, you are engaging different muscles for sleeping both on your back and on your side. Different neck muscles that you are not used to using. So just like exercising for the first time, your neck may be sore.

For anyone who experiences chronic neck pain, has a lot of sensitivity in their neck, or has other symptoms associated with neck pain such as numbness and tingling or shooting pains, then Yes, there can be an adjustment period with using a new pillow. Sometimes it can take up to two weeks to get used to a new pillow. Sometimes longer. For some lucky people there is no adjustment period.

Usually a new pillow has cervical rolls on it that help to align the cervical spine. These special pillows are better to use then your average fluffy pillow you would buy at the local department store. The main reason is that it aligns your neck spine while you sleep. With long time use, this will help you maintain good spinal alignment and prevent neck pain and stiff neck.

If you do have neck pain or a lot of sensitivity in your neck, then just use your neck pillow for a small amount of time to start. For example, lets say you purchased a basic cervical support pillow because you have occasional neck pain. Here is how you would start getting used to your pillow: Start by sleeping on your pillow for 20-25 minutes and then use the regular pillow that you have been using. The next night, sleep on your new support pillow for a few minutes longer, maybe up to 30 minutes. The next night, try 40 minutes. This process can help you get accustomed to a new orthopedic pillow.

Also, if you do wake up with pain, here are some things you can do to ease the neck pain: take a hot shower in the morning, and do some gentle neck stretches while in the shower. Also during the day, use a hot pack with or without a tens unit for 10-15 minutes.

If you recently purchased a new neck pillow and have any questions on how to use it, send us an email.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Neck Pillows for Neck Pain
• Neck Exercises
• Are You Waking Up with A Stiff Neck? Natural Treatments to Get Rid of the Neck Pain ...
• Pinched nerve in the neck
• Choose the Best Neck Pillow for Preventing Neck Pain

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

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“My Neck Problem Keeps Coming Back …”

When you are experiencing neck pain, it’s all you can think about. However, when that neck pain subsides, it can be difficult to continue to be conscious of your posture, to be careful how you turn your neck, which position you sleep in, etc. This is how pain will return, but there are things to do to keep your neck in good alignment and pain away.



It’s time to finally get the traction pillow. The reason issues are returning is that pressure is easily returning to nerves. What the traction pillow does is put your neck back into alignment, which reduces tension on cervical nerves as well as the spinal cord. The light, gentle stretch helps open up the neural foramen giving the nerves more room. Putting this motion back into the spine also helps allow inflammation to dissipate.



Once we do this, communication to the muscles and ligaments is restored and not only will neck range of motion improve, but so will pain. One needs to restore neck alignment to a certain degree to get rid of chronic or returning pain. You may even use the cervical traction pillow already, get neck pain relief, and then put it away. The best way to restore neck alignment, and maintain that posture, is to still use your traction pillow often. Also, combining the use of the pillow with heavier traction periodically as well as neck exercises will make the postural change happen faster and last longer.



Aligning and stretching the spine can also help the discs in the neck fall back into place. Injured cervical discs can often be a culprit of chronic or returning pain. Putting the neck in its ideal position not only helps the discs to fall back into place but to stay there as well.




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Your Body Often Knows When It Needs Aligning …

What really is neck pain or back pain? It’s your body telling you something is wrong. It’s like your car engine light going on saying it’s time to check your engine. A pain response is similar. That warning is going off saying it’s time to get checked.

The whole reason I thought of my title and the subject I’m writing about is from an episode of Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice. A couple of episodes back John Rich was having a headache. I noticed he was often twisting his head to the side- self adjusting it or “cracking” it, or at least trying.

Why might he have been doing this?

The answer is simple- your body often knows what it needs! Doing this may give some relief. He was no doubt under a lot of stress from his current task at hand, not to mention dealing with delegating to others, plus probably lack of sleep, maybe food too …

All of these things contribute to neck strain and discomfort. Also, knowing that over 90% of headaches come from the neck (cervicogenic in nature), it’s a normal body response to try and fix the problem.

Hopefully he slept on a good neck pillow to help fix his neck that night. There’s no doubt the stress relief from the task being over helped as well. Good luck to John and his opponent- Marlee Matlin for the finale coming up.

Additional Reading
• stress relief program
  
• Celebrity Apprentice News
  
• Headache Relief
  
• Headeache Pillow
  

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Vibration Massage: Relaxes the Muscles but Stimulates the Nervous System too!

Stimulating the nervous system is extremely important in balancing the body and restoring function. It’s the imbalances in the body that lead to pain or some other symptom.

The reason muscles get tight or bind up into knots is imbalance. If there is pressure on the nerves and the muscles controlled by those nerves are not getting 100% of the messages they’re supposed to, things don’t work right. One muscle stays constantly tensed and shortened while the others are loose and move like they should. The constant tightness leads to inflammation and waste products building up, then there is more and more nerve pressure.

We have founds that a great type of massage is with a tool called the Jeanie Rub Massager. Not only does it massage tight muscles, but the vibratory massage stimulates the nerves. Doing this helps balance the nervous system. Research has shown that many health conditions are caused by one part of the brain or nervous system that is under-firing or over-firing. Restoring balance and correcting this can significantly improve symptoms such as neck pain. Other common similar conditions are headaches, numbness and tingling in the arms and hands, or carpal tunnel-like symptoms.


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Neck Pain While At The Gym

It’s healthy to exercise or workout, but not if it causes you pain. It should make you feel good and energized, right?

One of the biggest complaints I get is “How can I avoid neck pain when I work out?” The main thing to keep in mind is that with most exercise routines you will work the neck slightly. Think about it- just lifting a barbell, you may flex your biceps or chest mainly, but you will also flex the majority of the neck muscles as well. Even while running your head moves. How about crunches for your abs, no matter what you do you get some neck involvement.

Here are a couple quick tips: when doing abdominals or crunches, instead of locking your fingertips behind your head, let your hands float behind your ears. This will prevent you from literally pulling your head forward.

When lifting weights for a muscle group, avoid too much weight or pushing yourself to do extra repetitions when fatigued. If your triceps are exhausted, but you want to push out a couple more repetitions, your body will recruit other muscles. Have you ever seen someone at the gym who is trying to lift extra- you can see every muscle and vein pop out. Avoid this, especially when you are healing from a neck injury, and limit this kind of workout normally to prevent possible neck strain. I would also avoid a lot of running when your neck is sensitive because not only do you work the neck muscles slightly, but there will also be a certain amount of pounding which can aggravate a previously strained or spasmed neck.

Since your neck muscles get a fairly good workout no matter what you do, I would avoid trying to hook a harness up to your neck and lifting weights primarily with the neck. This usually does more harm than good.


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