Loosen Up The Neck

Every time you do these motions, your neck gets a little looser...

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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How To Stretch The Neck

Simple stretches can make a difference with everything. Ever try doing computer work with a stiff neck; or even sleeping?...

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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Another Way to Use the Arc4life Cervical Traction Pillow for Neck Pain Relief...

Over the last 10+ years, the arc4life traction pillow has worked for many patients who suffer from neck pain, stiff neck, degeneration in the neck and other painful neck conditions. The versatility of the neck pillow allows users to use the pillow in two ways- one for neck support, the other for a gentle neck stretch. Typically patients sleep on the pillow at night, either on their side or on their backs.

What happens if you have tried to lie on the pillow at night, and you are in too much pain? For example, you have a pinched nerve in the neck and have been diagnosed with a disc bulge at Level C3-4. Today I want to talk about how you can use the arc4life traction pillow for therapeutic benefit.

Simply lay on the traction V Side of the Pillow for 20 minutes

To help your neck get used to this arc4life traction pillow, start by simply laying on the pillow, specifically on the traction V Side. Lay on your back on your bed, or any comfortable stable location. Place a knee elevator under your knees so that you are more comfortable. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Just Relax in this position for the full 10 minutes. Over the next few days work yourself up to 20 minutes.  In this way, you are opening up the spaces between the bones, opening up the disc spaces and allowing the nerves to heal. This can provide a lot of relief for neck pain, as well as numbness and tingling. This will help your neck muscles get used to sleeping on a contoured neck pillow.

Additional Reading Resources:

• What does a neck herniation feel like?
• Frequently asked questions about the traction V Pillow
• Neck Pain That You Get from a Radiculopathy at C5, C6, C7 or C8
• Which Arc4life Pillow Should I buy? Med or Large, Regular or Firm Support?
• Getting into a comfortable position for sleeping at night time

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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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How to Make Your Own Pillow At Home for Neck Pain and Stiffness.

What to Do when you need a Neck Pillow and You are Away from Home?

Everyone has a favorite pillow- a pillow that they have to use for sleeping. Without this pillow they may wake up with a headache or a stiff neck. Well what happens when we are away from home and we need to sleep well and wake up refreshed? Sometimes your favorite neck pillow is not able to travel with you. So what to do?

Simple Solution: Create your own neck roll at home using a terry towel- it functions as a great a neck pillow that will support your neck in great alignment and it will support your cervical spine.

Additional Reading Resources:

• America's #1 Neck Pillow: The Arc4life Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow
• Remedy for a Stiff Neck
• Neck and Shoulder Pain
• They Told me I have Cervical Radiculopathy? What is It? Is sounds really bad.
• Cervical Neck Traction to Get the Curve Back into your Spine

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Kink in the Neck?...

Kink in the neck, stiff neck, crick in the neck, neck strain, whatever you want to call it...We are refering to the same type of thing. It most often comes about sleeping in an awkward position.

You know, sometimes those nights where yu are snuggled up to your husband or wife and although nice and warm etc., sometimes it's not the best neck position. Or that day when you are just beat, and you conk out in a funny neck position. Or that night where you zonk out on the couch without very good neck support. The list goes on.

Thank goodness for the traction pillow because it can not only help relieve a kinked neck but give you support and keep your head in a good position, preventing future neck kinks.



Additional Reading Resources

• I think I Strained my Neck !
  
• The Hidden Cause of the Morning Stiff neck
  
• Help me choose the Right Neck Pillow
  
• Treatment of A Stiff Neck Naturally without Pain Medication
  
• The Neck Pain Relief Kit
  

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I woke up with a terrible pain in my neck when I move it. Must have fallen asleep in bad position. Help?

Question:This morning I woke up and when I move my neck I have a terrible pain!! I know I must have fallen asleep in a bad position but it has never hurt so bad. I can't look both sides. I have to keep my head tilted down. If I lift it up straight, it hurts terribly. It hurts to try to get my head on the pillow. Has this happened to any of you?? Will Tylenol help?? I hate taking meds unless I think it really works! HELP!

Answer: Yes, this happens to everybody at some time in their life. Sometimes sleeping in an awkward position strains our neck muscles to the point that it causes stiffness and pain. Sleeping on a couch or in a weird position is not healthy for ones neck. My recommendation would be to use a heating pack and also do to neck stretches. Right now, you may not be able to move your head too much- but only do the stretches to the point of feeling a stretch, not to the point of pain. The best thing would be do them while having a hot shower (let the water hit the back of the neck and upper back), as this will help to loosen up the muscles.

Also, you should get a good neck pillow to sleep on. Specifically one that will align your head and neck in a good position for sleeping. Check out Arc 4 Life’s Linear Gravity Neck Pillow- This is a great cervical support pillow. It has two different neck rolls for you too choose from. A pillow that does not give you support or one that raises your head too much can cause neck pain and stiffness in the morning. It is tough to find the right balance, but very important for getting a good nights sleep. Sleeping on a supportive neck pillow is also good for your neck posture.

Also, you should work on the tight muscles of your neck- use a pain relief gel like ben gay or biofreeze to alleviate the pain.

I think that taking the Tylenol may help you temporarily- but this is not a long term solution at all, so I do not recommend it. If you want to use a natural muscle relaxer, try Formula 303

Finally, I highly recommend that you see a chiropractor. They will be able to some gentle mobilization on your cervical spine and check to see if you have a misalignment. They can do therapy in the office as well ( like heat, ice or e-stim). Trigger point therapy will also be beneficial for you.


Hope this helps.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Solutions for A Stiff Neck
  
• How to Choose the Right Neck Pillow
  
• Having Good Neck Posture
  
• What Can Cause a Stiff Neck?
  
• How To Reduce the Chances of Getting A Stiff Neck
  
• How to Do Neck Exercises at Home
  

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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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.


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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.

Stiff neck: The "Real Pain in the Neck"

To start, before we can tell if we truly have a "stiff neck". We need to know exactly what it is. A stiff neck is a neck that feels tight or sore and has some loss of one normal motion. We often can get a stiff neck from being in one position too long or straining the neck in some fashion. Most often someone may sleep in an awkward position or work in a certain position for an extended period of time that can cause pressure on a nerve.

Nerves in the neck spine supply our muscles. If we have pressure on those nerves the muscles may get irritated, inflammed or not in balance. This in turn can cause neck pain and/or neck stiffness.
Someone who has neck spine or neck posture that is out of alignment will be the most common person to have recurrent or chronic stiff neck. Add to this, the fact that if the person has an occupation where they continually put strain on the neck or someone with a pillow they are sleeping on that does not have good support. Also sleeping on your stomach can cause major neck stiffness or pain. Why is sleeping on your stomach a problem? To breathe we have to turn our head 90 degrees to the left or to the right. As we age, this is not only difficult but not good for extended periods of time when you are sleeping.
Our posture gives us insight into what our spine may look like. So if your sleeping posture is horrible for 6-8 hours every night, your body starts getting trained to shift to an unhealthy, abnormal posture or spinal alignment. And once out of alignment we will more easily get the symptoms of neck pain and stiffness.
To correct neck alignment and reduce bad posture the best things to do are as follows:

1. Always be aware of your posture- if you are always in one position, move around. If you are constantly walking with your head down- look up more. If you have an uncomfortable work station- set it up to be more ergonomically efficient.
   
2. Use a good neck pillow and avoid sleeping on your stomach. I recommend the cervical traction neck pillow by Arc4life.com.
   
3. See a chiropractor or a physical therapist. Both professionals can give you good postural exercises. Doctors of chiropractic can also adjust or manipulate the spine to help restore neck alignment.

All of the above listed solutions are usually quick and easy to do and will pay off in the long run. Good neck posture and spinal alignment will reduce the incidence of stiff necks.
If you or someone you know is suffering from severe neck pain or neck stiffness currently or has chronic neck issues I would also recommnend using heat to loosen the muscles. Biofreeze is a great natural neck pain relief gel which helps tremendously. Apply to your stiff and sore muscles for 3-5 minutes. Apply ice for 10 minutes afterward. Use ice if there is any inflammation in the neck area.If this is a chronic neck pain issue, heat may also help.
The Trisectional Ice Pack is a perfect ice pack for around your neck and upper back. It includes straps that you can securely hold it in place.
Arc4life has all your neck pain relief products to give you relief of neck pain, so that it is no longer a pain in the neck !

Posted by Dr. Bellinger.

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