Exercising with neck pain

Exercising with neck pain can be a bit of a challenge. Especially for those who suffer from chronic pain and experience heightened levels of discomfort when performing certain exercises. By performing the proper exercises, those with neck pain can efficiently stay fit and get their daily workouts in. In fact, some exercises may even help reduce the effects of neck pain and help control pain levels.

Stretches

Stiffness in the neck is a common cause of neck pain. Neck stretches will help loosen up the muscles in the neck and help relieve any stiffness. Neck stretches should be done every day and can be done multiple times throughout the day. Some stretches that are easy on the neck and will help improve flexibility include corner stretches, chin tuck and shoulder rolls.

Aerobics

Low impact aerobics can help increase the body’s blood flow, which will help relieve tension in the soft tissues of the neck. In addition to improving blood flow, 30 minutes of aerobic exercising can help increase the body’s level of endorphins. Endorphins will act as natural pain killers reducing the need to take medications. Some of the best aerobic exercises for those with neck pain include walking on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike or using an elliptical machine.

Yoga

Some yoga positions help reduce the pressure on the neck. However, it is important to be careful when practicing yoga, because some positions can put added stress on the neck and back. Yoga positions that do not involve headstands or putting pressure on the head or neck will help reduce tension and loosen up the muscles that are causing neck pain.

Breathing

Deep breathing exercises can help relieve neck tension and pain. Breathing in a shallow manner uses the muscles in the neck instead of those in the diaphragm. Sitting up straight and taking deep breaths using the diaphragm will help lessen the tension on the neck. Take time to sit down, relax and take 10 deep breaths at a time. Doing this multiple times throughout the day will help relieve some tension in the neck.

Those with chronic neck pain palo alto should speak with their area physician before starting any new exercise routine. The doctor will be able to advise if the exercises will help and if they are right for the patient’s condition.

4 Surprising Causes of Neck Pain and How to Avoid Them

Most people in the Palo Alto area will suffer from neck pain at some point during their lives. For many, neck pain occurs rather frequently and is often caused by bad habits/posture than any underlying medical condition. For those who are currently suffering from neck pain, there are some surprising causes that could apply. By simply avoiding these common causes of neck pain, one can alleviate discomfort and enjoy a pain-free life. Sleeping on the Wrong Pillow Believe it or not, the type of pillow one sleeps on can have a major impact on neck pain. Generally, the best types of pillows for neck support are memory foam and feather pillows. Anything else will likely not provide adequate support and will lead to neck pain. For those who go the feather pillow route, it's also important to replace with a new feather pillow about once a year.

Talking on the Phone Many people spend lots of time talking on the phone each day, whether it be for work or pleasure purposes. However, for those who have the bad habit of holding their phone between their ear and shoulder, Neck Pain Palo Alto could be an unwanted result. By investing in a headset instead, neck pain can be relieved and better overall posture can be enjoyed as well.

Not Drinking Enough Water Humans rely on the water-filled discs in the spine to help them avoid neck and back pain throughout the day. Unfortunately, when one doesn't drink enough water, these discs can easily become compressed and can cause serious neck and back problems. Therefore, making sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day is a must for those who want to prevent neck and back pain.

Poor Office Ergonomics Lat but not least, those who work in an office setting need to be especially careful about their posture so as to avoid neck and back pain throughout the work day. Specifically, using the right office chair and keeping computer screens at eye-level while working is a must for avoiding neck pain, as is taking breaks throughout the day.

Nobody enjoys living with neck pain, but on the bright side, it can be easily avoided by simply taking the time to follow these tips. From there, it's possible to live free from back and neck pain.

Typical Neck Pain Causes and Remedies

Most people experience neck pain from time to time without serious consequences. The pain and discomfort of neck strain, however, can interfere with daily tasks and make life uncomfortable, to say the least. By understanding the underlying causes of their neck pain, people can begin looking for solutions. In severe cases, individuals may need to consult a medical specialist for relief.

Neck Pain Causes

Various factors can trigger the pain and discomfort of neck muscle strains. Such factors include:

• Sitting in awkward positions for extended periods of time, such as hunching over a desk or steering wheel of a car
• Not distributing weight evenly when carrying heavy objects  
• Sleeping on pillows that are too high  
• Experiencing trauma to the neck area in an accident, such as whiplash, or sustaining neck injury from a fall

People suffering from neck strain may need to limit sudden head or neck movements until the healing process is done. Sometimes pain extends into the shoulders, further restricting a person’s movements.

Neck Pain Remedies

Individuals suffering from minor neck pain San Mateo may find that their condition improves on its own after a few days. In the interim period, people can often find pain relief through simple self-care remedies.   

For some people, applying cold packs to the area every 20 minutes or so helps to reduce swelling, if any, and minimizes pain. In like manner, applying heat to the area can get similar results. Many people find a hot shower or bath quite effective in reducing neck and shoulder pain. A heat wrap can also be used to stimulate healing results.

Over the counter pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs offer yet another option for reducing swelling and discomfort. Depending on the extent of a person’s problem, a mild massage may provide a healing touch to the area.  

Getting Medical Intervention

When symptoms are severe or last longer than several days, people should consider a visit to their physician to get expert diagnosis on their condition. It’s particularly important to consult a doctor if neck pain creeps into the arms or is accompanied by a tingling sensation or numbness. Neck pain related to a trauma such as a car accident or fall should be reported to a person’s local physician right away.

When in doubt, it’s always best to consult a physician concerning physical pain and discomfort to alleviate concerns of a more serious injury. 

A Focus on Chriopractic Therapy After Spinal Decompression Helps Speed Recovery

Patients who suffer from Neck Pain San Mateo simply want some relief. Simple and understandably enough, and professionals at alternative clinics and spinal centers want to help patients achieve this clear and reasonable goal. Of course, most patients feel substantially frustrated by the time they reach out for alternative treatments. Most traditional physicians frequently incorrectly diagnose neck pain and spinal pain, mixing one condition after the other, prescribing one medication after the next. At some point, patients begin to lose their patience; especially as the bills pile up and the pain and discomfort increase.

What Do Spinal Decompression Centers Do Differently? Progressive spinal therapy centers provide gentle and highly effective treatments for people suffering from chronic pain stemming from a spinal condition or injury. Most importantly, these centers focus on non-surgical treatments to help patients heal naturally while removing the need for extensive recovery time. Again, patients have usually had more than enough different medications by the time they reach a spinal decompression center, so these facilities try to avoid excessive use of medications too. While the medical professionals at these centers do their best to avoid both, they also know that here is a point at which patients need more invasive care and will let each patient know, based on the specific facts of their case and medical condition.

What Type of Chiropractic Therapy Is Available For Neck Pain Patients? Once patients go through the initial phases of their treatment, which include spinal decompression and deep tissue therapy, they can start working on putting their neck and spine back in proper alignment. Professional chiropractors will assess each patient's condition. Since the neck is highly susceptible to injury is that it sits atop the cervical spine and supports, via balance and strengthen, the brain and skull, which can easily weigh up to 12 pounds.

Additionally, the neck is responsible for turning the head around in various directions, and to varying degrees, creating even more risk of injury. The neck's very flexibility can make injury easy. Regardless of the cause of the injury, the professionals at the alternative spinal clinic will do their best to find out what is wrong and the best course of treatment to help speed up recovery. Chiropractors will start therapy by performing gentle neck and upper back manipulations to help return mobility and space for bones to move in their original space.

Main Causes of Neck Pain

Suffering through neck pain is never fun, but knowing what causes the ailment is the first step in prevention. Neck pain can caused by anything from an auto accident to a football hit to a medical condition like meningitis. 

Injury

Anyone who has been in a car, sports or biking accident and experienced whiplash is likely to be the victim of stiffness and neck pain. Moving one's head from side to side in a violent manner or having a jarring contact with another person or object is likely to result in debilitating pain. If involved in an accident, always be sure to reach out to a neck pain San Mateo for proper guidance.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that occurs in older age and is the result of damage to the joints. This type of arthritis makes it difficult to move the joints because of stiffness. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that is often hereditary. This disorder is known for causing sever pain in the joints and can result in difficulty moving and walking. It often results in pain in the upper half of the neck.

Pinched Nerve

The causes of a pinched nerve can range from arthritis to a herniated disk to a sports related injury. Because it can be the result of many different conditions, it is important that a pinched nerve be examined by a specialist. Pinched nerves can result in neck stiffness that can be felt all the way down to a person's arms and legs.

Fibromyalgia

Although rare, fibromyalgia is a condition that is connected with achy muscles and joints. If the muscles contract inwards, it can result in a stiff neck that is painful an difficult to turn from side to side. Luckily, people who suffer from fibromyalgia are able to control it through everything from lifestyle changes to stress management to prescription medications.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that is between the brain and spinal cord. Contracting meningitis is a serious and life threatening infection that needs to be treated by a doctor immediately. Suffering from a stiff neck, fever and headache are all symptoms of meningitis. 

Complications From Chronic Neck Pain

Chronic pain seems to be an epidemic throughout the world. Studies show that nearly 1.5 billion people around the world suffer from chronic pain. Of those pain suffers, about 100 million are Americans. Chronic pain is pain that persists without going away. Chronic pain generally lasts for months or even years. One type of pain that seems to be really common among individuals coping with chronic pain is neck pain. Neck pain in San Mateo can result from an injury or from someone placing strain on their body. It can also develop as a result of another painful condition that exists in a person’s spine.

When to Get Treatment for Neck Pain Having full control over one’s neck is central to having a good quality of life. Without the ability to turn one’s head from side to side because of pain, many people find staying at home a better option. Getting rest is a great way to ensure people with Neck Pain San Mateo recover, but when people significantly reduce their activity levels because they are in pain, then they need to seek medical attention.

Neck Pain Complications Even after adjusting their lifestyle, many people still fail to get the medical attention they need to alleviate their pain. Unfortunately, this can lead to complications, particularly, cervical spondylolysis. Cervical spondylolysis is the medical term used to describe worn discs in a person’s spinal cord. Many people experience this condition as a result of aging. Most of the time, it’s referred to as spurs on the spine. People who develop the condition could ultimately suffer from pinched nerve endings, which can lead to challenges walking, weak arms and legs, and numbness in a person’s arms or legs.

It is always prudent for anyone suffering from chronic neck pain to visit their medical professional. Doctors have the ability to prescribe pain medications and therapeutic treatment options that help neck pain suffers cope with the pain. Conversely, if a person fails to get the treatment they need, it could make matters worse by increasing their chances of developing cervical spondylolysis. Allowing neck pain to persist jeopardizes one’s quality of life; therefore, getting treatment is the best option for many.

Factors That Contribute to Severe Neck Pain in San Mateo

Several factors can contribute to severe neck pain in San Mateo. People who are prime for these symptoms often unintentionally make they’re situation worst when they experience these factors. Posture Poor posture can lead to severe neck pain. For example, people who jut their head and shoulders forward place stress on their lower neck. This can lead to degenerative disc illnesses and can force the muscles in the upper back to work harder to balance the head, neck and shoulders against gravity. People often display poor posture when reading, driving or using a computer. Intense concentration on these activities might cause a person to jut his or her head forward.

Movement Sudden movements, lifting heavy objects and attempting to reach objects in high places also can contribute to neck pain. Sometimes even one quick movement can injure the neck, and so can lifting an object that is too heavy. Lifestyle Factors Certain lifestyle factors make some individuals susceptible to chronic neck pain. These factors include exercising infrequently or not at all. Improper exercise techniques also might contribute to neck pain in Campbell. Heavy weight gain also contributes to neck pain, as does overexertion in physical activities.

Emotional Triggers People who are stressed or depressed might find themselves experiencing severe neck and/or back pain. This is because a person’s mind and body works together and can’t be separated. For example, someone who’s stressed or anxious might feel muscle tension in the neck and shoulder area, and a depressed person’s pain might increase during the depressed period. Fatigue and Insomnia For many people, lack of sleep cause pain in the neck area. An alarming trouble with this factor is that both can be a symptom of the other. In other words, people who don’t get enough sleep might find that they experience pain in various parts of the body, especially the neck shoulder and back. Conversely, neck pain might make it difficult for a person to sleep and further exacerbate the problem.

Environmental Factors For some people, the environment can be a trigger for their neck pain. For example, extremely hot and humid climates can trigger asthma. A person experiencing an asthma attack might tighten the neck and chest muscles in an attempt to get air to the lungs. This tightening process places stress on the neck muscles, causing the person to experience severe neck pain in Paolo Alto.

Back and neck pain can disrupt a person's life tremendously. Some people try various home methods, such as stretching exercises and applying gels and creams. For long term relief, some neck pain suffers visit specialists with offices in in San Mateo, Campbell and Palo Alto. There they can get various treatments for their ailments, including prescription pain relievers, muscle relaxants and antidepressants.

3 Temporary, At-Home Remedies for Neck Pain

Suffering from neck pain is something that nobody wants to go through, but that most people will endure at some point in their lives for one reason or another. Whether caused by a sports injury, car accident, or anything in between, neck pain San Mateo professional, such as a doctor or chiropractor. In the meantime, however, there are some steps one can take for temporary relief from neck pain at home.

Over-the-Counter Painkillers

One quick remedy that can help to relieve neck pain is that of taking over-the-counter painkillers as recommended. For those who aren't seeing any relief from store-bought aspirin or other basic painkillers, the good news is that there are plenty of over-the-counter painkillers that are of higher strength and that can be great for dealing with neck pain, at least as a temporary solution.

For short-term relief, it's recommended that one speak to a doctor or nurse and ask for a recommendation regarding the best over-the-counter pain medication for them.

Alternating Heat and Cold

Another home remedy that can help when it comes to dealing with neck pain is that of alternating the application of heat and cold onto the affected area. This can help to reduce inflammation (especially for pain caused by trauma) and thus reduce pain.

Specifically, alternating between heat and cold on the area for 20 minutes at a time is generally the best method. When applying cold to the affected area, it's a good idea to wrap an ice pack in a towel and be careful not to leave the cold pack on for too long, as frostbite could occur.

Gentle Stretches and Exercise

Finally, there are some simple and gentle exercises and stretches that can also be completed and that may help to reduce neck pain. However, these should be done only upon recommendation from a doctor and should never be completed when pain is severe or when the specific extent of the injury is not yet known. Otherwise, one runs the risk of further aggravating the injury and making the pain worse.

These are just a few simple yet generally effective home remedies that those experiencing neck pain may want to keep in mind. By doing so and by seeing a doctor as soon as possible, they can relieve their pain and ensure a quick recovery from the injury.

The Most Common Causes of Neck Pain

Many people suffer from neck pain from time to time. However, when neck pain is ongoing or becomes so intense that one has a hard time completing everyday tasks, it's time to see a doctor.

That's the first step to coming up with a treatment option that will help to relieve the pain. In order to do this, however, most doctors will start by considering a few of the most common causes of neck pain.

Poor Spinal Support

For those who experience the worst of their neck pain when they first wake up in the morning, it's important to consider that one's mattress or pillows could be the culprit. A mattress that isn't offering enough spinal support (or even one that's too firm) can lead to neck pain, as can a pillow that is too firm or soft. This is an especially important option to consider for those who have not replaced their mattress or pillow in at least a decade. It might be time to consider upgrading to something with memory foam, which offers a great amount of support.

Too Much Time at the Computer

Another increasingly common cause of Neck Pain San Mateo , is that of spending way too much time hunched in front of a computer screen. These days, however, many people have desk jobs that require them at work at their computers for eight hours or more per day. For those who work desk jobs, then, it's important to take regular breaks, preferably once per hour. Furthermore, investing in a desk chair with better lumbar support may also help take care of the problem.

A Cervical or Lumbar Spine Problem

If environmental problems aren't the cause of a person's neck pain, then a physical condition must be considered. A doctor will likely need to take X-rays in order to determine what the exact problem is, whether is be a herniated disc that's causing pain in the neck, a case of scoliosis, or anything in between. Many people make the mistaken assumption that neck pain has to be related to a neck problem, but back problems can just as easily cause that pain as well. Nobody likes living with neck pain, which is why getting help from a qualified and experienced doctor is so important. In the meantime, however, it may be worthwhile to assess one's environment and be on the lookout for common culprits.

Spinal Decompression: A New Treatment for Neck Pain

Chronic neck pain often frustrates patients due to the limited options available. Pain medication may work, but it has side effects that can make it hard to think and can cause other physical problems. Surgery is sometimes an option, but it's risky and may not provide relief. Chiropractic treatment can help, but sometimes, it doesn't fully relieve the pain either. 

What is there to do? 

A new treatment, known as spinal decompression, has provided great results for many people. Like chiropractic treatment, it doesn't involve surgery, pain medication, injections, or harmful side effects. It, however, goes beyond conservative chiropractic treatments in providing relief.

The basic premise behind spinal decompression treatment is that the chronic pain is caused by the excessive compression of the discs in the neck and back rather than their misalignment. Therefore, the treatment is aimed at relieving this pressure. This new focus is what allows it to provide relief even where traditional chiropractic treatments fail. 

Spinal decompression typically requires several sessions, but patients report improvement before they are all complete. This shows that it's working, but it's important to get all of the recommended treatments for full relief. Most patients report that even severe pain drops to little or none after they finish their series of decompression treatments. 

While this is a great new treatment option, it's important to note that not all patients require it. Therefore, spinal decompression clinics often offer other types of treatment as well. Most commonly, standard chiropractic treatment will be an option, and it is used for cases that are caused by problems other than spinal compression. 

Since excess weight is often a contributing factor to spinal compression and other back-related difficulties, a clinic for treating neck pain San Mateo also offers advanced weight-loss methods as well as pain treatments. Losing weight lessens the downward pull on the body, and therefore, reduces the pressure that causes spinal compression. Of course, weight loss also makes things easier on the back and neck muscles as well as helping to improve overall mobility. 

When a patient comes to a spinal decompression clinic for neck pain treatment, the first step will be a physical evaluation. This will determine which treatments will work best for the patient's specific case and allow the doctors to determine details such as how many sessions will be needed. Once this is done, treatments will be scheduled and the patient will be on the road to a pain-free life.

Understanding Neck Pain

The neck is a very sensitive part of the body and is one which should be taken care of at all costs. There are many ways in which an individual may damage their neck and this could be due to bad body posture, overworking the muscles through vigorous exercises, and also via genetic factors such as arthritis. It is also true that a neck pain in San Mateo can also lead to other problems within the body. 

This can affect the shoulders, the hands and the head and can have a negative effect on the person’s overall health, as well as on their lifestyle. It is therefore important that everyone keep their neck and back bones in good working order. Neck pain in San Mateo is an issue that can be resolved at a specialist who focuses on the neck and spinal cord injuries. To prevent long term damage, anyone experiencing pain in their neck should consider visiting a specialist.

Types of Neck Pain

There are two main types of neck pain that people may suffer from: chronic and acute neck pain. Acute neck pain usually takes place suddenly and happens after an accident takes place that involves the spine. Car wrecks, injuries from sports accidents, and other accidents that jolt the body suddenly cause neck injuries. These types of neck pain usually heals quickly, but some can have a lasting impact on the body. Chronic neck pain is different in style and is usually the result of a form of arthritis that may be genetic. This type of neck pain can stay with the individual for a long time and may involve years of discomfort.

Visiting a Local Specialist Improves Health Outcomes

Visiting a specialist will lead to more positive outcomes than visiting a general family practitioner. Neck specialists have specialized training that allow them to analyze the cause of the problem, and they check other parts of the body that may be damaged as a result of the neck injury. 

This may include the nerves, the discs and the vertebrae of the spine, as well as the soft tissue and the muscles. Specialists carry out physical examinations and ask questions to ensure they fully understand the extent of the injury before providing patients with treatment options. Most generalist do not have access to the tools and techniques neck specialists utilize. People with a neck injury should not delay seeking medical attention. The more they delay treatment, the more likely it is that they will make matters worse.

How Posture Can Help With Neck Pain

Neck Pain San Mateo is a common problem faced by numerous patients, and most of is not caused by trauma. Shockingly, a surprising amount of neck pain results from people's poor posture. Posture dictates how people's muscles align, which in turn can cause pain and stiffness. Although it can be a challenge to correct years of bad posture, the thought of living without neck pain should be enough to encourage anyone with this problem to give this simple solution a try.

The connection between posture and neck pain

There are several different groups of muscles in the neck that can become tight and cause pain.

- The scalene muscles, these muscles help rotate the neck - The suboccipital muscles, these muscles rotate the head - The pectoralis minor muscles, located at the top of the chest - The subscapularis muscles, muscles near the shoulder joints - The levator scapulae muscles, muscles along the back and side of the neck

These various muscles all have vital roles to play in the movement of the head and neck as well as protecting the body. When a person has poor posture, these muscles will be thrown out of alignment. This can produce considerable and excessive wear and tear on the affected muscles and make it easier for the area to get hurt.

How to correct posture

To achieve optimal posture, the person must pay close attention to their head, neck, and chest. Good posture involves having the head aligned over the neck, not learning forward, and the back straight. The most common poor posture involves people moving their head too far forward. Even if their back is straight, the neck being too far forward forces the chest muscles to become tight and part of the upper back muscles to become weak. The more a person leans forward, the worse the problem becomes.

Patients should focus on stretching their chest muscles while strengthening the muscles in their back. This will help to encourage the body to hold itself in the proper position. They should also pay close attention to their head position and make a point of self correcting whenever they notice thieir head has fallen too far forward. The continual correction will allow them to begin to break their old habits. For many people suffering from neck pain, taking the time to correct posture can have an enormous and beneficial impact on the pain. Those interested in finding relief should carefully review what they can do to improve their body positioning and find relief.

Chiropractic Care of Neck Pain

People who suffer from chronic neck pain may be advised to take pain medication or even undergo invasive surgery. However, there may be chiropractic treatment options for neck pain San Mateo, and these do not involve strong prescription drugs or invasive surgery.

Folks who would rather try a natural solution first, might visit with a local chiropractor for a consultation and initial treatment. In some cases, chiropractors offer a free initial consultation and reduced prices for a first treatment visit. These treatments may also be covered by health insurance.

Causes of Neck Pain

These are typical sources of neck pain that chiropractic care might be able to address: • Injuries: Mild whiplash may involve injuries to the neck's supporting tissues, but severe whiplash may even involve injuries to the neck's vertebrae. • Aging: As people age, they may suffer from degenerative diseases like arthritis. • Stress: Emotional upset causes some people to involuntarily tighten their neck muscles, and this can produce fatigue and pain. • Poor fitness and posture: Weaknesses in other muscles may throw the entire body out of balance, and one big symptom of this is neck pain that does not seem to have another cause.

Proper Neck Care Necks are incredible parts of the body. In good working condition, they are very flexible but still have the tough job of supporting the entire head, which weighs an average of 12 pounds, as long as people are upright. This tough job also makes necks vulnerable to pain because of injuries, disease, strain, or simple misuse. The expression, pain in the neck, no doubt comes from the tendency of people to tighten neck muscles when under stress.

In any case, chiropractors are very good diagnosticians, and these professionals can help patients determine the source of neck pain. In some cases, a chiropractor may tell patients that he or she cannot treat an issue and and send them off to see a medical doctor for medication or surgery. In many cases, a chiropractor can provide a safer and more natural solution without the side effects of drugs or invasive surgery.