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Neck pain and tips to relieve it – Beaufort South Carolina The… – The Island News 82570622173. Neck pain affects more people than you might think. Seven out of ten people will experience neck pain at some point in their life, according to doctors. By describing the neck symptom or combination of symptoms, you can help your doctor figure out what’s wrong. The most common causes of neck pain are listed below. 1. Overexertion, prolonged physical or mental stress or muscle pain can cause neck and shoulder muscles to ache. The neck muscles can develop hard knots, which are tender to touch. These are sometimes called trigger points. 2. A muscle spasm is a sudden and powerful tightening in the neck muscles. Your neck may feel tight, knotted or painful and you may find it difficult to turn your head. If you wake up with a stiff neck and pain, it’s probably a muscle spasm. Muscle spasms can be caused by a muscle injury or a disk problem. A neck muscle spasm can be triggered by emotional stress, but there are often no obvious causes. 3. Headache. Neck-related pain is often felt at the back of the neck and the upper head. It is usually caused by muscle tension. Neck-related headaches are usually dull or aching rather than sharp. The neck may also feel stiff or tender. It gets worse when you move your neck. 4. Facet joint discomfort can be described as deep, sharp or aching. It may also radiate into your shoulder or upper spine. As with other locations, arthritis in the facet joint (part of the cervical vertebrae) may feel worse when you wake up or after a period inactivity. 5. Irritation of the spinal roots can cause pain that is sharp, fleeting or severe. It may also be accompanied by pins-and-needles. The pain can travel down the arm, or even into the hands depending on the nerve. 6. Referred pain. Referred Pain is pain that occurs in one part of your body when another part is affected. Neck pain that gets worse with exercise may be a sign of a heart condition, while neck discomfort that occurs after eating may be a sign of an esophagus problem. 7. Neck pain caused by soft tissues is far more common than pain in the cervical vertebrae. Medical attention is needed for bone pain, as it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Neck pain is usually a gradual process. Dr. Zacharia Isaac of Harvard Medical School and the Comprehensive Spine Care Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital says that neck pain can be caused by arthritis or degenerative disc disease and exacerbated by poor posture, declining muscular strength, stress and even lack of sleep. You and your doctor can use a combination of self help techniques and over the counter pain medications to manage and relieve pain. 6 ways of relieving neck pain 1. Do not stay in the same position for too long. Dr. Isaac says it’s difficult to reverse bad posture. However, if you move around and get up often, you can avoid your neck getting stuck in a bad position. 2. Make some ergonomic adjustments. Position your computer monitor so that you can easily see it. Wear a headset or use the hands-free feature on your phone. Instead of laying flat on your lap, prop your tablet up on a pillow at a 45deg. angle. 3. If you wear glasses, keep your prescription up to date. “When your eyewear is not up-to-date, you tend lean your head forward to see better,” says Dr. Isaac. 4. Don’t use too many pillows. If you sleep with multiple pillows under your head, it can restrict your neck’s movement. 5. Know your limits. Ask for help before you move an armoire. 6. Sleep well. Sleep problems can increase your risk of developing a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal discomfort. Neck pain is not a cause for concern. If it is accompanied by other symptoms that are more serious, such as numbness, weakness or radiating pain in an arm or leg or a fever, you should consult your doctor. If you have severe neck pain or a fever, it’s important to consult your doctor. These symptoms should be reported to your doctor. Excerpted From “Neck Pain – A Troubleshooting Guide to Help You Find Relief”, a Special Health Report by Harvard Medical School. Harvard Medical School offers reports on more than 50 health topics. Visit their website at http://www.health.harvard.edu Find reports that are of interest to you or your family. Toll-free number for phone orders: 1-877-649-9457.

Rehabilitation Physiotherapy For Persistent Back Pain: Remedies… – News Live 825706221773 Chronic neck pain can affect your ability to work, engage in hobbies, or even perform simple daily activities. There is still hope. You can improve your quality-of-life by exploring the techniques and remedies offered through rehabilitation physiotherapy. Neck pain affects people of all ages. It can range in severity from mild discomfort to severe, chronic pain that affects daily activities and quality of life. Neck pain is often caused by poor posture, muscle strain, injury, or nerve compression. Rehabilitation physiotherapy is a great way to reduce neck pain, improve mobility and enhance neck function. In this article we will discuss rehabilitation physiotherapy, and how it can be used to recover from neck injuries and chronic neck pain. What is Rehabilitation Physiotherapy (Rehab Physiotherapy)? Rehabilitation physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a form of treatment that helps people recover from neck injuries and chronic neck pain. This treatment usually includes a combination exercises, manual therapies, and other techniques that improve neck strength and flexibility. The goal of neck pain rehabilitation physiotherapists is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and function, as well as help patients return back to their daily activities. Symptoms of persistent neck pain Poor posture, muscle strain, injury, or nerve compression can all cause persistent neck pain. Symptoms can include stiffness, a limited range of motion, dull or sharp pain in the neck, headache, numbness in the hands or arms, fatigue, muscle weakness, and difficulty sleeping. If you have persistent neck pain, it’s important to consult a doctor to avoid serious conditions. Treatment for Neck Pain Physiotherapy rehabilitation for neck pain can include a number of different remedies. Neck Range of Motion Exercises These exercises improve neck flexibility and range. The rehabilitation physiotherapist can use stretching and strengthening exercise to help the patient recover full neck function. These neck exercises will improve your neck flexibility and range-of-motion. Neck Rotation: Rotate slowly your head to the left until you feel a gentle stretch. Hold this position for 10 second and then repeat on the right side. Chin Tucks – While standing or sitting up straight, gently tuck in your chin and hold it for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Shoulder Rolls: Sit straight up and roll your shoulders in a circular motion forward 10 times. Then reverse the direction, and roll them backward 10 times. Manual Therapy: This includes techniques like massage, mobilization and manipulation of the neck muscles and surrounding muscles. Manual therapy is used by the physiotherapist to improve circulation, reduce tension in muscles, and relieve pain. Heat or cold Therapy: Applying either heat or cold therapy helps reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve circulation. The physiotherapist can use hot or cool packs or other types of temperature therapy for pain relief. Posture correction: Neck pain is often caused by bad posture. The physiotherapist works with the patient to identify any postural issues that are contributing to neck pain. Simple techniques that improve posture can reduce neck pain and improve your quality of life. These techniques include: Sit straight up: Keep your shoulders relaxed and your back straight. Avoid slouching forward or leaning backward. Adjust your workspace. Make sure your computer monitor is at eye level, and that your keyboard and mouse are a comfortable distance away to avoid straining or hunching. Take frequent breaks to stretch or walk. This can help relieve neck and shoulder tension that is caused by prolonged sitting. Education: A physiotherapist can provide education and advice about ergonomics, sleeping positions, and lifestyle changes to help relieve neck pain. Say Goodbye Neck Pain with Rehabilitation Therapy Overall, neck rehabilitation physiotherapy is effective in relieving pain, improving range of motion and improving overall neck function. With the help of a rehabilitation physical therapist, patients can improve their quality of living and return to daily activities with less discomfort and pain.

5 Exercises and Stretches to Reduce Neck Pain – AARP 8225670622173 Neck pain is almost as prevalent as lower back pain among older adults. According to the, up to 70% of people will experience neck pain at some point during their lifetime. There are many causes of neck discomfort. If you experience severe pain that radiates or throbs down your neck and arms, or if it makes you feel numb or have difficulty walking, consult a doctor. Neck pain can be caused by a number of factors, including an injury sustained in a fall or accident, osteoporosis and a pinched-nerve from tissue inflammation. Most commonly, however, it is sprains and strains of the muscles and ligaments that are the cause, according to David Kohns. He is a doctor of osteopathy and clinical assistant professor of physical medicine, rehabilitation, and pain medicine at University of Michigan School of Medicine. Kohns says that the most common neck conditions are myofascial or muscle-related. Spine experts say that the causes of these injuries can be varied, but are often related to the way people hold their heads and shoulders. If the head is not in alignment with the spine, it can cause neck pain and discomfort. Robert Medcalf is the director of spine rehab at Atlanta’s Resurgens Spine Center. “These are the positions and motions that often cause [pain] symptoms to appear.” Scientists have also found that age and lack of exercise can cause the muscles that cover connective tissue (called fascia) to tighten up throughout the body. This creates sensitive areas known as trigger points. This is how an action that seems harmless, like turning your head, can cause pain or muscle spasms. As we age, the fascia can become sticky, causing muscle stiffness, says Christine Goertz. She is a professor of musculoskeletal science at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, and vice chair of implementation of spine health innovation in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University. “And that can interfere with the normal movement of your entire body.” Pain can also be caused by muscle tension due to stress or sedentary behaviors (i.e. sitting too much). Stress and prolonged sitting can cause the shoulders to hunch, which will pull the head forward, causing tight muscles. The good news is, most neck pain can be relieved with an over-the counter pain medication, a heat pad, or an icepack. Goertz says that stretching and movement can also hydrate fascia and muscles. If the pain returns – which it does in around a third – adding a regular breathing routine and exercising the neck and shoulders muscles can help. “Movement can be one of the best things people can do to reduce the risk that an acute pain condition will become a chronic one,” says Kohns.

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