Types Of Neck Pains And How To Treat Them

Stiff Neck 

It is amazing how ignorant we can get over things that matter, yet if you fret over every little thing, you might restrain yourself from living. Ever had a stiff neck and could not make those abrupt turns? You had to turn your whole body to look at someone or something behind you? 

The neck forms an integral part of our bodies and an ailment on it could change the way to live your life. The neck joins the head to the body and forms part of the spinal cord. The spinal cord helps to make our posture upright and connects all the nerves of our body to the brain. That is how important your neck is if you didn't realize it before. Dr. Bart Gatz of Greenacres knows all about neck pain and wakes up every day of his life to ensure patients get relief when they need it most. Neck pain manifests based on the source and cause of the pain. 

Stiffness And Actual Pain 

Neck pains may manifest from the sides or middle of the neck to the upper chest or shoulder. It may also extend to the arms and make you feel weakness. The neck pains may cause stiffness from long hours of sitting and result in difficulty turning. If this kind of pain manifests, especially over a short window period, it could serve as a sign of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). The muscles affected inflame, and it affects the elderly more than the youth. In case you experience such symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. 

Tingly Feeling 

The neck connects the spinal cord to the brain. The nerves in the spinal cord around the neck area may receive pressure from muscle, tissue or bones. The stress manifests in the form of a tingly feeling, numbness or needle-like pains. It moves through to the arm and the tip of your fingers. The sensation resolves itself on most occasions, although if it persists over several days, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. 

The Clicking Neck 

Do you feel a grating noise on your neck when you move? Those are bones and tissues rubbing on each other or air bubbles around your neck area popping. This condition referred to as crepitus becomes nerve cracking, especially at night. Although it is common even in other joint areas on our bodies, the neck area makes them significant due to proximity with our ears. Don't fret though; it is not that alarming; it will clear itself. 

Fainting And Dizziness 

Sometimes you can make neck movements that result in experiences of dizziness and even fainting. It suggests that a major artery was pinched with bones or other tissue thus obstructing blood flow. Arteries form major blood vessels in our bodies, and lack of blood flow in such a fundamental vessel causes major body upsets. Fainting does not necessarily occur from this neck pain; therefore, consult a doctor for repeated blackouts. 

Muscle Twitching 

Muscle twitches occur in various parts of the body for multiple reasons including lack of mineral. The spasms on the neck may cause sharp pains and severe discomfort. The pain is temporal and stretches for a few hours or days. Using pain killers and neck muscle exercise assist with correcting the defect. Applying ice on the affected area has a soothing effect. If you experience severe neck pains, consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. 

Things You Must Know About Whiplash

Generally, body aches can disturb your whole routine. When you face these aches, doing the simplest chores become troublesome. It is an undeniable fact that the worst body pain is neck pain. If you experience neck pains, you can barely stand still, sit, or even sleep. Every time when there is a powerful blow due to this, your head jerks in a forward or backward direction can result in a neck strain. 

Characteristically, a forceful, sudden back-and-forth movement causes neck strain. Commonly, it is called whiplash as it is similar to the sound of a whip cracking. Mostly, after having a rear-end car crash, an individual may experience this condition. Still, a road accident is not the only reason that originates such neck strains. Accidents can take place during sports, physical abuse, and different kinds of traumas. For instance, a bad fall can give rise to it. 

In simple words, some people call it a neck sprain or a neck strain. Although both of these terms include various neck injuries, whiplash is not really a neck injury. In short, the sudden impact stretches the neck muscles and tendons that cause muscle tear. 

Within some weeks of whiplash, you may get better by appropriate treatment by a trained professional. A whiplash doctor makes a relevant plan that you need to follow punctually. Moreover, it includes some medications for pain and physical exercises. In the majority of cases, these two are the best methods to cure whiplash. 

Though some people suffer from chronic neck pains, they may need special care. And, such patients may have long-lasting complications. On top of that, beginners and professional athletes frequently experience this condition. Those who play sports in which some kind of contact takes place between the players like soccer have higher possibilities of getting whiplash. 

Interestingly, neck strains and neck sprains are different anatomically. When there is damage to the muscle or tendons of your neck, it is known as neck strain. Furthermore, for those who don’t know, tendons are bands of tissue that joins muscles to our bones. On the other hand, when you end up tearing the ligaments of your body, you will experience a neck sprain. Similarly, the ligament is explained as the tissues that successfully connect the bones to one other. 

What Are The Signs Of Whiplash? 

The individual may start showing the signs of Whiplash in a day or two after the injury. The signs may develop right after the injury, or it can take weeks or even months. It depends upon the severity of the case. The major signs of the strain include pain in the back and neck. Other major signs that the person may experience from whiplash are as follows: 

● Inability to move neck or cracking back pain 

● dizziness 

● Constant exhaustion 

● Headaches at the inferior part of the brain 

● Blurred or hazy vision 

● Disc slip may also occur in severe cases 

In addition to the above signs, a person having Whiplash may also experience some minor signs. These include: 

● Insomnia 

● Tinnitus 

● Decreased concentration span 

● Forgetfulness 

However, if the person is only experiencing the minor signs, then it may not be Whiplash. In either case, consultation with a good doctor is recommended. 

What Is The Worst That Can Occur With Whiplash? 

If the condition is not treated immediately, it can worsen with time and can severely affect the other parts of the body. Whiplash injury can become critical when a person starts to have the following symptoms: 

● Complete inability to move the head 

● Excessive weakness 

● Full body pain and discomfort 

How Is The Whiplash Diagnosis Done? 

The doctor may perform any of the following tests to diagnose the strain: 

An x-ray may be performed to eliminate the chances of bone fracture. 

CT scans or MRI tests may be done by the health professional to detect any possible inflammation in the tissues and ligament injury. 

Why Is It Not A Good Idea To Ignore Whiplash? 

It is never a smart decision to ignore your medical conditions. In order to get back into their routines faster, many accident victims do not pay attention to body pains. Immediately after an accident, many victims do not face any symptoms, or even after several days, they have no issue regarding their health. One of the main reasons for this ignorance is that the doctor you may consult in the ER prescribes painkillers to accident survivors. 

Because of this, the symptoms do not appear for some time. Also, to some extent, these pain killers offer temporary relief from body aches. But, these are Analgesic medications that numb the affected muscles. Thus, the root cause of whiplash trauma remains untreated. 

On this note, it is nearly impossible for a victim to recover from whiplash trauma without suitable measures. So, you must get help from a specialist to diagnose whiplash. Only then, you may get a beneficial treatment. 

Effective Ways To Treat Whiplash 

When the doctors diagnose the disorder, they prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxers. Another effective way is to applying heat to the affected area. As a consequence, the heat helps in loosening the stiff muscles. 

The main goal of these treatments is to gain your range of motion again without wasting a single day. In the physical therapy sessions, the complete focus is on stretching, rotation of the muscles, and back and forth movement of the neck. It is a good option to wear a soft foam neck collar if your neck pain is intolerable. 

One drawback of the neck collar is that it slightly immobilizes the joints. To lessen the pain, there are some exercises that you can do at home. These exercises include the rotation of your neck slowly. Tilting your head side to side to your shoulder is a great exercise as well. Likewise, move your neck towards your chest in the forward direction and then take it backward. Finally, rolling your shoulder in circles is excellent for relaxing your muscles. 

Remember, these exercises are to alleviate your neck pain. Hence, do it to stretch your muscle only. After a period of three months, if your condition doesn’t improve, make an appointment with your whiplash doctor. 

Whiplash Treatment Conclusion 

Note that, seeing a whiplash doctor after an automobile accident is mandatory. Otherwise, you cannot expect to recover fully. Also, you are putting yourself at risk of severe symptoms if you take it lightly. In a worst-case scenario, this trauma may lead to disability. Once the symptoms intensify, it becomes harder to treat the disorder. In contrast, if you manage the pain at the onset of the symptoms, you will notice a speedy recovery.

Physical Therapy For Neck Pain

Neck pain cases are a major concern mainly because it affects approximately 30% of the US population in a year. It is usually mostly felt in the back of the neck near the upper spine region but, when some of your nerves are damaged, it can extend your upper shoulder, arm or back. Fortunately, you can treat chronic neck pain through physical therapy. In this post, we look at how a doctor of physical therapy in Greater Heights can alleviate your neck pain. 

Why Is Physical Therapy For Neck Pain Done? 

Although chronic neck pain cannot be treated completely through this method, physical therapy plays a significant role in enhancing neck function and structure for day-to-day movements. Physical therapy also: 

• Helps develop effective solutions for recurrent neck pain 

• Improves your neck and head posture 

• Alleviate stiffness and pain 

• Strengthens your neck and improves its range of motion 

When Is Physical Therapy A Viable Treatment For Neck Pain? 

Generally, physical therapy can be recommended as a suitable treatment option for a number of chronic conditions or illnesses. It could be recommended in the following situations: 

1.      Post-Surgery 

Some neck surgeries often lead to severe neck stiffness and pain, especially in the ensuing weeks and months. For such scenarios, physical therapy is used to improve neck function and reduce stiffness. 

2.      Neck Injury 

There are some injuries that can damage the neck’s soft joints and tissues, resulting in severe pain. Physical therapy helps alleviate neck pain and restore normal neck functioning. 

3.      Chronic Pain 

Recurrent or frequent neck pain tends to weaken your neck’s muscles. Physical therapy helps improve neck support and in turn becomes more resistant to pain. 

When Is Physical Therapy For Neck Pain Not A Good Idea? 

In some cases, physical therapy is normally not recommended for chronic neck pain as it may not eliminate pain or may result in further damage. Such situations include: 

·         Serious Underlying Condition 

If the immediate cause of neck pain is a tumor or infection, doing exercises cannot reduce the size of the tumor but could worsen the problem. 

·         Spinal Instability 

If your cervical spine is unstable or if spinal degeneration causes compression of a nerve root or the spinal cord, the spine must be first stabilized to prevent any further injury before physical therapy. 

Therapy Treatments For Neck Pain 

Generally, physical therapy treatments adopt an individualized approach. Your physical therapist customizes a suitable neck pain treatment plan based on your symptoms, functional goals, and diagnosis. Additionally, the main purpose of neck pain physical therapy is to develop a suitable strategy that reduces neck pain, restores neck mobility, and prevents recurrent neck complications. 

Your neck pain treatment plan may include: 

• Dry needling 

• Ergonomics 

• Home stretching program 

• Posture therapy 

• Aquatic therapy 

• Home exercise program 

• Manual therapy 

• In-office or virtual physical therapy 

Conclusion 

With the numerous advancements in the world of technology, most people spend their time hunched over their smartphones or computers and, as a result, end up with neck pain. For individualized physical therapy for neck pain, consult Roy Rivera Jr., PT, DPT, MCHES, PhD, Jordan Boyd, DPT, CSCS, PT, and the highly qualified team at Crom Rehabilitation in Pearland and Houston, Texas. You can also schedule an appointment online or call any of their offices today.

How To Prevent Neck Pain

Almost all of us have experienced neck pain in our lifetime. This pain originates from tendons and ligaments. Neck pain occurs due to an underlying neck condition like arthritis. It can also happen due to trauma or naturally. 

Below we discuss some top tips that will keep you safe from a neck injury. Feel free to contact us if you have back pain in Naples. 

1. Lie On Your Back 

It is advisable to lie on your back if you want your spine to rest naturally. People with neck conditions are advised to try a new pillow and sleep on their back to combat this issue. 

If you want to sleep on your side, you should use a pillow that is low-casted. This low height prevents the neck from bending to the other side. 

2. Keep Your Computer’s Monitor at Eye Level 

Your gaze should be directly on your computer screen to prevent any neck pain. 

It is advisable to raise the monitor whenever you find yourself looking down. 

3. Use Headsets 

It would help if you were sure not to tilt your head sideways, suppose you spend a lot of time on your devices. You can use headsets to talk on your phone without having to hold it. 

There are also other devices you can hang around your neck to achieve the same. 

4. Stay Hydrated 

It is advisable to drink water during the day to keep the discs hydrated. These discs mainly consist of water, meaning you will keep them strong by hydrating. 

It is advisable to take at least nine glasses of water every day to achieve this. 

5. Carry Even Weights 

Most people make the mistake of putting large weights on one side of their bodies. This load makes your shoulders uneven and strains the neck. It is advisable first to make the load lighter by taking essential items only. 

This, in turn, keeps the shoulders even as you move. You can also use a backpack because it distributes weight across the shoulders. 

6. Have A Supportive Posture 

A poor posture will cause neck pain because it strains the ligaments supporting the neck. 

An example of poor posture is putting the head and shoulders forward. This posture makes the back slump and strains the spine. 

7. Spend Time Away From The Phone 

The majority of us overlook how much time we spend on our phones. Most of the time, the neck and head are in a flexed position. This position puts more stress on the bones and ligaments. 

It is advisable to put your device away or hold it in a manner that your neck is on top of your shoulders. 

8. Use A New Pillow 

There are several options to consider if you want to support and comfort the neck. 

It is advisable first to use a pillow that will keep the spine in alignment. 

Final Thoughts On Having No Neck Pain

Neck pain is common to all of us. It occurs naturally or due to factors like bad posture. 

You can use the above points to stay free from this condition. Follow these tips to avoid a real pain in the neck!

Chiropractic Care: All You Need To Know

Going by the statistics on chronic pain among adults, 84% of people experience back pain at a certain point in their lifetime. As a Texan in Friendswood, never allow such chronic pain to plague you as there are chiropractors who you can approach and get assistance. A whole-body wellness center will have the capacity to provide you with the best solutions to your physical pain. Targeting a perfect doctor of chiropractic in Friendswood is essential. It calls for high-quality service to get rid of recurrent chronic pains. There are many crucial aspects of chiropractic solutions that one needs to know. 

What Is Chiropractic Care? 

Chiropractic care is a treatment that makes the body recover naturally. It dictates that the body can heal on its own. What a chiropractor does is use hand-on manipulation of the specific parts of the body. Chiropractors need a lot of training on the anatomy of the human body, especially the musculoskeletal systems. The main goal is usually realigning the joints as this gives you a perfect opportunity of relieving pain. 

How To Choose A Chiropractor 

Since the main target of these services is to deal with physical pain, it is elemental to find an expert offering high-quality solutions. Finding a professional is what gives you hope of coping with the physical pain which you have. Also, look at the diversity in the services which you can get. Sometimes, patients come with different needs, which means a reliable facility is the one that makes everyone feel accommodated. For instance, there ought to be assistance, neck pains, lower back pains, joint pains, herniated discs, and sciatica, among others. 

Benefits Of Chiropractic Care 

The first benefit is that it reduces reliance on anesthetics. Whenever we are experiencing some physical distress, the first thing which comes to mind is using pain relievers. For chronic pains, you can quickly become dependent on opioid pain relievers. But when the pain reduces, you hardly need to consume these prescription drugs anymore. 

Secondly, there is easing of the back pain. There are invasive treatments for back pains that people receive. At times, they come with more risks and are generally costly. On the other hand, chiropractic solutions are a worthy alternative, and the results are pretty promising. The American College of Physicians guides the need to go for non-medication treatments first in dealing with any form of pain. 

Thirdly, it helps in the reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms. The joints typically have supportive structures called cartilages which ensure that the bones never rub against each other. Osteoarthritis is a disease that results in the degeneration of cartilages. Eventually, it results in pain in the joints whenever the bones grind against each other during movements. Some chiropractic adjustments minimize the possibility of friction. By improving the status of the cartilages, joint capsule, and bones, there is some halting of the arthritis progression. 

Chiropractor Care Conclusion

Chiropractic care is fundamental in making the musculoskeletal system well-aligned. These non-medication treatments are worthy alternatives to complex procedures through surgeries. With a competent chiropractor, the chronic pain will reduce or varnish completely. There are many benefits of these services, including independence from pain relievers and reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms.

Therapeutic Injections And Self-Care Remedies To Relieve Neck Pain

West Orange neck pain experts at Pain Center of NJ find that neck pain may not always be a sign of a severe health issue. However, the pain may prevent you from living your everyday life. Your neck’s delicate disposition makes it susceptible to injuries. Something as trivial as a bad sleeping posture may result in pain. In cases where the pain is less debilitating, you may need massage therapy or a chiropractor’s services to relieve you from your symptoms. However, when the pain is stubborn and fails to respond to treatments, your healthcare provider may recommend advanced treatment options. 

What Are The Possible Neck Pain Causes? 

Neck pain may result from various causes. While some pain may be mild, not forcing you to consult your doctor for special treatment, other types may affect your mobility, making your life miserable. Some of the common causes of neck pain include: 

·         Poor sleeping habits 

·         Poor posture 

·         Repetitive movements 

·         Pinched nerves 

·         Lifting heavy loads on your shoulders 

·         Tumors 

·         Infections 

·         Herniated disc 

·         Spinal stenosis 

What Are The Self-Care Options For Neck Pain? 

Neck pain may not necessarily result from trauma. Sometimes the pain may not need complex treatment options to relieve you from the symptoms. In such an instance, your doctor may recommend self-care remedies like: 

· Short Rest Periods 

Resting does not mean you desist from doing any physical activity. Your physician may suggest you move your neck regularly to prevent it from weakening or becoming stiff. 

· Ice Or Heat Application 

While ice may help minimize your pain and swelling, applying heat may help relax your tense muscles, allowing blood circulation and flow of nutrients to your painful areas. 

· Gentle Stretches 

You are likely to realize that some movements and gentle stretches alleviate your neck pain and others exacerbate the situation. While your doctor may encourage you to stretch your neck in favorable motions, he may also discourage you from movements likely to worsen the pain. The physician might request a change of lifestyle to hasten your healing process too. For instance, he may advise you to use the correct posture, adopt a physically active lifestyle and quit smoking. 

Besides the self-care remedies, your doctor may also recommend massage therapy, mindful meditation, or manual manipulation from experts like chiropractors. 

What Are The Injection Procedures That May Relieve You Of Neck Pain? 

· Radiofrequency Ablation 

RFA may be your best option when your doctor confirms that your pain originates from a facet joint. Your doctor places a special needle near your affected joint’s sensory nerve during the treatment, creating a heat lesion that prohibits pain signals from traveling to your brain. 

· Trigger Point Injection 

Unlike other therapeutic injections, trigger point injections do not require solutions. However, some instances may prompt your doctor to inject minimal doses of local anesthesia through the acupuncture-like needles to calm your trigger point or the irritated muscle. 

· Cervical Epidural Injection 

Your doctor will use the injection to minimize your nerve roots’ inflammation resulting from a herniated disc or a distinct spinal degeneration cause. 

Neck Necessities

Normal neck pain minimizes over time without treatment. If it does not, the neck pain could be a sign of a severe health problem. Call your doctor when the neck pain is persistent and fails to respond to treatments to discuss your treatment options before the pain numbs or weakens your arms.

5 Effective Home Remedies For Neck Pain

Your neck does more than just support your head on a daily basis. It is also the uppermost section of your spine responsible for the head’s range of motion. Consequently, any injury or inflammation to this area can affect how you move your head walk, sit, or sleep. It can also cause untold pain. 

Mild neck pain will usually resolve on its own in a few days. However, when the pain is severe or persists for more than a week, you may need to see a professional who specializes in neck pain in Red Bank. 

Hot Or Cold Compress 

Compresses are one of the most common home remedies for pain. They work by increasing blood flow to the affected area, relaxing the associated muscles, and numbing the pain. Similarly, you can use a hot or cold compress to alleviate your neck pain at home. The trick is to apply either for 10 minutes at a time, two to three times a day. 

If your pain is severe and shooting, try to avoid a hot compress as it might exacerbate your pain. Stick to cold compresses and ice. 

Stretching 

If you wake up with neck pain or develop a stiff neck during the day, you might benefit from a few stretches. Stretching allows contracted muscles to relax and improves blood floor to particular areas of your neck, reducing possible inflammation. All you need to do is gently move your head from side to side or in an upward-downward motion as if you are nodding. If you noticed a reduced range of motion when stretching your neck, consider seeing a neck pain specialist for professional advice. 

Neck Massage 

Just as you would get a back massage for back pain, massaging your neck can help alleviate your pain. Try to be firm but gentle and stop immediately if your movements cause you sudden severe pain. If available, you can also run a few drops of lavender oil or peppermint mixed with coconut oil onto your neck. The essential oils should provide immediate relief. If you can’t manage to massage your neck, ask someone to do it for you but remind them to be gentle. 

Warm Water Soak 

Soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salt has long been used to relieve a stiff neck. While the salt improved blood flow in your neck and reduced inflammation, the warm water helps relax tight neck muscles. This combination can provide great and immediate relief for neck pain. Remember to use warm, and not hot, water especially if you are in severe pain. 

Lifestyle Changes 

A good number of neck pain cases can be attributed to lifestyle habits such as posture and sleeping position. If you keep experiencing neck pains, consider the following lifestyle changes: 

● Improving your sitting, sleeping, and walking posture 

● Changing your sleeping position, such as avoiding sleeping on your stomach or back 

● Changing your pillow, mattress, or both 

● Reducing the time you use on your smartphone or laptop 

● Getting ergonomic furniture, desks or chairs

● Adopting an exercise regimen 

● Avoid strenuous neck exercises like heavy shrugs and good mornings

Bottom Line On Fixing Neck Pain From Home

Intense neck pain can make it difficult to move your head, in turn preventing you from completing certain daily tasks. If your pain is this severe or lasts longer than a week, you should consider getting professional help. Contact Ron Ben-Meir, DO, FAAPMR, of Downtown Pain Management to schedule a consultation to discuss possible neck solutions.

4 Benefits Of Going To A Chiropractor

Usually, in our daily lives, it is quite hard for us to take care of our health. Sometimes, we neglect our bodies and give importance to other material things. When you go to a chiropractor it can have many advantages in your life. You will notice how it improves your physical and mental health. Generally, we see a chiropractor when we face muscle stiffness or body pains. However, it is a wrong perception that you can visit them only if you are experiencing something bad. 

Before the symptoms of your pain become fatal, it is essential to see a chiropractor. Basically, a chiropractor helps you in preventing your condition from going worst in the first place. 

Hence, if you think that you may have muscle stiffness and back pain, you must consider trying out this practice. Also, it has drastically improved the conditions of thousands of people all around the world. This treatment is known as chiropractic adjustments. You are going to like this massage-like procedure to get comfort and relief from your body pains especially if you are not the kind of person who depends on the medicine. 

When you go to a chiropractor, through several therapeutic massages, he realigns your vertebrae. Mainly, the effect is on your spinal cord. People who experience this procedure tell us that it has countless benefits. The best part is that it is hassle-free, stress-relieving which saves the cost of surgery or other threatening invasive procedures. 

This procedure that is known today as adjustments has trained specialists who fix your bones with the help of solely their hands. Moreover, a small instrument is used to put on a controlled force to your joints. The aim of this whole movement is to improve the functionality of your body. In professional terminology, they call it spinal manipulation. Even if you do this procedure once in a while, you will notice a drastic improvement in your spinal motion. After people visit a chiropractor, they see a better physical movement that was missing in their lives. 

Thus, in this particular article, you will see a list of the myriad advantages that you obtain from this practice. In this way, you will easily convince yourself when you experience intolerable pain in the movement of your limbs. 

1. Get Relief From Pains 

The main reason to see a skilled professional is when you’re experiencing severe pains in your back or neck. Having said that, a few people are most likely to show up at a chiropractic facility when they suffer from irregular back pains. Yet, most people experience chronic back pains as they are a permanent part of their life. 

It is normal to have back pains. The kind of hustle and bustle we do in our regular activities may result in such severe conditions. For instance, sleeping in an unusual position may result in disc herniations, scoliosis, worsening disk disorder. If you are living with a poor body posture, it is very harmful to your body. Alternatively, such treatments may prevent you from having dangerous back surgeries too. 

2. To Cure Headaches 

Thousands of people experience headaches almost every day. The most worrying factor of such headaches is that they can escalate anytime from annoying aches to severe migraines. In such conditions, it is not possible for us to perform our activities smoothly. These problems interfere with our life. So, if you are relying on pain pills to keep the headaches at bay, you must see a chiropractor to get long-term relief. Furthermore, this action will put your life back to track. 

Sometimes, when pressure is applied on your neck and spine, headaches and migraines can occur. This is when getting chiropractic care is life-changing for people. In addition to that, when we discuss such pains, manipulation helps you relieve the pain. By enlightening the chiropractor about your headaches and the strength with which they occur can be a lead towards curing them. 

3. For A Sound Sleep 

Sleeping is the most effective component of our lives. Having disruption in our sleeping patterns can change our lives in an undesirable manner. Unfortunately, some people have to depend on a variety of pills to get a good night's sleep. Some people sleep for adequate hours but they wake up with zero energy and they still feel tired after many hours of undisturbed sleep. This is because they have poor sleeping quality. 

In order to treat it, chiropractors are using manipulation therapy. On your body, they do many massages to increase the blood flow in every part. This will give your body an endless sense of comfort. And, your body starts doing the numerous functions that take place when you are sleeping. Apart from that, when you have a misaligned spinal cord it will give rise to body stress and the disability to sleep. By aligning the bones to the correct position, you will get the sleep that was missing in your life. 

4. To Avoid Cardiac Ailments 

You may have heard of cardiac illnesses like Hypertension or high blood pressure. According to a survey, the most common root cause of these disorders is stress. As a matter of fact, these ailments affect the vast population of Americans. 

Unluckily, these disorders are a silent killer and people don’t get alarming symptoms. Nevertheless, they cause severe heart problems like strokes as well. Everybody chooses different mechanisms to free themselves from stress. Although medication is frequently used to maintain blood pressure, it is not the ultimate solution. 

Thankfully, Chiropractic procedures drop blood pressure in a few visits. By doing some movements on the top of your neck, the focus is on releasing stress. 

Chiropractic Care Conclusion 

Nowadays, these chiropractor treatments are not going unnoticed. Due to their benefits, these procedures have gained trust and popularity by people. No doubt, these techniques have transformed the lives of many people. Additionally, it is not that tough as the procedure may sound. Besides that, your safety and health are the first and foremost priority of the chiropractors. Those who dwell in Texas can see the chiropractor in Cedar Park for an effective treatment.

10 Top Reasons To See A Chiropractor

Ever heard of a treatment that avoids medical substances and is often the recommended solution for athletes? 

This refers to chiropractic care! Chiropractic care is a drug-free treatment for your pain. It's a relaxing complementary and alternative medicine that gets your body healthy. 

But what are some good reasons to see a chiropractor? Should you see one even if you’re not an athlete? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got a list below to answer those chiropractic questions. Check out these 10 reasons to visit a chiropractor today: 

1. Improves The Quality Of Sleep 

Getting insomnia occurs and leads to many problems like those listed below. With the proper spinal adjustment, it'll decrease the discomfort in bed by improving your blood flow. Most chiropractors will suggest sleeping patterns and positions to help you fall asleep. 

Don’t hesitate to find a chiropractor if you suffer from sleep apnea, excessive snoring, or insomnia. 

2. Boosts Your Immune System 

Your immune system is a vital part of staying healthy and keeping your body function. Some of the common problems in our immune system include system dysfunction and subluxations. 

Expert chiropractors can manipulate your body to release harmful toxins.  They will adjust your spine to reduce the compression of your nerve pathways which strengthens your immune system. 

The nervous system also benefits from chiropractic since they are strongly connected. It improves the spinal that is encasing and protecting the spinal cord. 

3. There Is No Need For Medicine 

Painkillers are the most common medication for physical injuries. A big advantage of chiropractic is that you will no longer need that. 

Medication is good, but it does have its side-effects like nausea, itching, or it can lead to addiction. Chiropractic care is a more natural solution and you rarely get any bad side-effects. 

Athletes also can’t rely on too much medication. Using solutions like steroids and extreme painkillers go against most sporting regulations. The effects may gave the athlete a temporary, unfair advantage over their opponents. This is why most athletes turn to chiropractors instead. The medicine-free treatment method is a good solution to treat their injuries while still following regulations. 

4. Lessens Fatigue And Stress 

There are so many reasons to feel stressed and tired. Going to a chiropractor can help you manage extreme levels of fatigue. 

They relieve the stress in your spine which makes the other part of your body feel less tense. When the spine is not in the right place, it can cause you to feel more tired and stressed both mentally and physically. 

5. Relieves Headaches Or Migraines 

Staying in one position for too long can cause migraines or headaches, and even dizziness. Chiropractors take off the pressure by triggering pressure points in the body decreasing the pain. It helps decrease the intensity and frequency of migraines. 

6. Straightens Your Posture 

More and more people are walking around with a curved back which means poor posture. Going to a chiropractor can fix the curve in your neck and upper back by realigning the neck and spine. 

There are also cases of scoliosis. This is a physical condition where a patient has an abnormal sideways curve in the spine. 

Chiropractors will help relieve the pain and they'll be able to prevent further danger in your spine.  Don’t use chiropractic care to treat scoliosis as you should go for surgery for long-term treatment. 

7. Makes Pregnancy And Labor Easier 

Chiropractic care can reduce the pain in the pelvis and LBP before and after delivery. Your pelvis, spine, and hips will be properly aligned to help deliver faster with less pain and discomfort. 

There are times when a baby's head is not aligned for delivery which can cause cord prolapse. Constant visits to the chiropractic will help you maintain a healthy pelvic balance. It allows your baby to have enough room to move the head into the correct delivery position. 

8. Enhances Your Athletic Performance 

As mentioned, chiropractors are the go-to experts for injuries but their knowledge can also aid in improving an athlete’s capabilities. Together with the coach and workout expert, a chiropractor can help an athlete reach their peak physique. 

If you're an athlete or love doing physical activities, chiropractic balances your performance. Athletic activities can give you stiffness and pain in your joints and it leaves you tired. 

Chiropractic care will improve your musculoskeletal system along with faster recovery. Regularly going to a chiropractor improves your muscle strength and long jumps. It can also help prevent hamstring and improve your range of motion. 

9. Reduces Pain From Car Accidents 

Many patients go for chiropractic care due to injuries from car accidents. It's because soft tissue injuries can be difficult to treat. Chiropractors return the body's muscles and body to their natural states. It results in soft tissue healing faster because they realign your spinal column. 

It also helps reduce inflammation while lessening the pain from the injuries. 

10. Decreases Your Visits To The Hospital 

Unfortunately, low back pain is one of the leading causes of disabilities worldwide. Back pain is also the listed third as one of the common reasons for people to have doctor visits. 

Going to a chiropractor can reduce your doctor visits for headaches, back and neck pain. However, chiropractic care is not an alternative and it can't treat long-term diseases and pain. 

Don’t Ignore These Reasons To See A Chiropractor 

The benefits of chiropractic care are no joke when you see these reasons. This is the best natural way to treat your health issues and preventing it from getting worse.  Chiropractic care is not for everyone, so be careful and know your body and medical risks. 

Did these reasons to see a chiropractor encourage you to get a treatment? When finding a chiropractor, you should ask for referrals from a doctor, relatives, or friends. Make sure that you trust your chiropractor as the wrong practice may lead to moving your bones the wrong way. 

Of course, maintaining your health and fitness doesn’t end here. We cover more guides about frugal and smart living so don’t hesitate to read our other posts right here, today! Visit the Frugal Fitness and Healthcare sections of our blog now to learn more.

How To Relax Tense Muscles

Do you feel body aches and chronic muscle pain? Are you in need of ways to relax your muscles? Look no further. Some studies have linked muscle pain in the upper extremities and low back to stress. 

It’s time to relax a bit. Don’t fret if you don’t know where to start. We’ll walk you through the process. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how to relax tense muscles and the many ways to do it. Read on to learn how to relax tight muscle: 

1. Why You Have Tense Muscles 

Before we talk about how to relax muscles, let’s discuss why our muscles stiffen or become tense. What causes it? Is muscle tension a symptom of a bigger health issue? 

Muscle tension is one of the body’s physical responses to stress like anxiety and depression. The human body thinks of it as a way to protect itself from injury. This doesn’t limit itself to only psychological, mental, or emotional stress, however. 

Physiological stress from overexercising or exercising with poor techniques also causes muscle tension. When you overuse your muscles, even when you’re not exercising, the body will protect it by keeping it tense. Poor posture also contributes to the tension in your muscles. 

Severe muscle tension may come from performing work activities using poor techniques. For example, you may be carrying heavy loads the wrong way, which causes stress to your muscles. Some mechanical factors like having one longer leg also affect muscle tension. 

2. Relaxing Tense Muscles With Heat 

One of the best ways to ease body aches and muscle pain is to use heat. Applying heat to stiff muscles helps dilate blood vessels and promote blood flow. If you have muscle tension from exercising, heat reduces the lactic acid buildup in them. 

You can take an electric heating blanket to help soothe the tension and pain in your muscles. If you don’t have an electric heating blanket, you can buy heat pads or heat plasters for muscles instead. You can find these in gym equipment stores. 

Another relaxing thing you can do is to go to a sauna or steam room. Sit in the heat for 10-15 minutes and then start stretching your muscles after. If you don’t have the time to go to a sauna, but you have a bathtub, buy Epsom salt. 

Prepare a tub of warm water, add 1 cup (240 ml) of Epsom salt, and wait for it to dissolve before you soak. Sit in the tub and let your skin absorb the salt and replenish your body. Afterward, rinse your body with clean water. 

Note that some people experience irritation around their genital area from Epsom salts. When you experience this, wash the area well with mild soap and warm water. Avoid using Epsom salts and instead opt for hot showers to relax stiff muscles. 

3. Learn Progressive Muscle Relaxation 

One of the best and most effective ways of relaxing your muscles is using progressive muscle relaxation. It focuses on specific muscle groups and is best for self-relaxation techniques. For first-timers, you can do this with audio guides. 

Exercise For Progressive Muscle Relaxation 

Do you often spend your day at work typing away in front of a computer? Help avoid carpal tunnel syndrome by releasing some of the muscle tension in your wrist. You can do exercise this every for a short time every few hours to help relax your wrist muscles. 

This first exercise is simple, fast, and suitable for any position or place. This is the clenched fist muscle relaxation exercise. First, make a tight fist with your right hand while you flex it upward right at your wrist. 

Keep a tight hold on the clench for 8-10 seconds and then relax. Release until your hand becomes limp. Repeat the exercise a few more times, and your right hand will be more relaxed afterward. 

You can stop with your hands and get right to work. If you want to continue, move up to the forearms, upper arms, shoulders, chest, and so on. Hold and flex the muscles in each body part the same way you did with your wrists. 

Once you finish and reach your feet, you can pause and take up to 15 minutes to relax some more. Let the feeling spread throughout your body and enjoy it. After that, you can go back to your daily activities feeling invigorated and comfortable. 

Tips For Practicing PMR 

Now that you know how to relax your muscles, you may wish to improve your technique. 

The first one is to keep practicing. Take two sessions daily, each going for 5-15 minutes, for practice. The more you practice, the better you’re going to get at it. 

You can practice before you go to bed, but don’t practice on your bed. Remember, your goal is to get your body to relax via PMR, not to fall asleep. You can then rest assured that falling asleep will be easier after you complete your PMR exercises. 

Rearrange the order if you feel that it’ll work best for you. If you find it easier to relax starting from the top of your head going down to your feet, start from there. 

4. Use Muscle Therapy Services 

Relaxing tense muscles in hard to reach places is not easy. The good news is that professional muscle therapy services are there to help. You have a ton of choices from chiropractors to acupuncture, to acupressure therapy. 

One of the best picks is myofascial release therapy. It is an effective hands-on treatment that uses gentle, sustained pressure. It focuses on relaxing the fascia (connective tissues) via customized pressure and stretching. 

5. Learn How To Relax Tense Muscles By Getting Enough Rest 

Some final yet effective ways to relax your muscles is to live healthier. You can learn how to relax tense muscles by unlearning unhealthy habits. That includes fixing your sleep schedule if you often lack sleep. 

Adults’ muscles need at least 7 hours of restful sleep to relax and heal. If you exercise or go to the gym, this lengthy rest becomes even more important. If you find it difficult to go to sleep, do some stretching and breathing exercises before you lie down. 

Relieve Your Muscle Tension And Aches With These Methods 

When you finally get relaxed muscles, it’ll be easy to forget about these methods. Remember to keep practicing the exercises and living a healthy lifestyle. Avoid poor posture and overexerting your body whenever you do heavy exercises. 

Now you know how to relax tense muscles. We hope you enjoyed reading and picked up better health habits along the way. If you want to learn more ways on how to reduce pain in these areas, check out our other guides today.

All About Neck Pain

The neck is quite an amazing part of the body with an extremely tough job to do. It holds the head, which is about 11 pounds, in position all day long year after year. Surprisingly, it is quite a delicate balance, and therefore, issues such as bad posture and wrong sleeping position do lead to issues of neck pain in West Orange, NJ. It is, therefore, not surprising that almost everyone has experienced neck pain at some point in life. Luckily most cases of neck pain go away within a few days without any treatment. Below are some important things you should know about neck pain. 

Causes Of Neck Pain 

There are many things that can lead to neck pain. Some of the most common ones include: 

- Poor Posture 
- Repetitive motion or overuse 
- Bad sleep habits 
- Gritting the teeth 
- Carrying a heavy purse or shoulder bag 
- Pinched nerve 
- Sports injury 
- Whiplash resulting from car accidents 
- Infections 
- Arthritis 
- Tumors 

Treatment For Neck Pain 

In most cases, neck pain usually goes away on its own after a few days. Unless the pain has resulted from severe trauma, you can try to manage it with or without pain medicine such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and aspirin. You can also try icepack to reduce or prevent swelling. After that, you can make use of moist heat, such as a heating pad to help with healing. 

However, if the pain does not go away within a few days, or it seems to be getting worse, you can seek the assistance of a pain management doctor or a chiropractor. You may also have to see a doctor is the neck pain is accompanied by weakness, numbness, pain, or tingling in the arms and legs. The doctor will carry out a physical exam and check your medical history to determine what could be causing you the pain. It may also be necessary to do an imaging test such as MRI, CT scan, or X-ray. Depending on the cause of your neck pain, the doctor may recommend pain medication, corticosteroids, physical therapy, or even surgery. 

Prevention 

Perhaps, the best way to deal with neck pain is to prevent it from happening. There are several things that you can do in this regard. For instance, you should learn to stand or sit with your back and neck in an upright position. You should also avoid tucking your phone between the shoulder and the ear. You can use a headset instead. If you are waking up with a stiff neck, you should try a different pillow. 

The Takeaway 

Overall it is apparent that neck pain is quite a common issue. In most cases, it can be treated at home, and it can even go away without medication after a few days. However, if the issue does not improve or it seems to get worse, you may have to seek the assistance of a doctor. If you are looking for a reliable pain management doctor to help you with treating and preventing neck pain, SamWell Institute for Pain Management is an excellent pain management facility to visit.

A Pain In The Neck: 5 Ways To Cope With Joint Aches

Morning joint pain is a common problem that affects millions of people in the United States. You may wake up with a pain in the neck, stiffness in the knee or discomfort in the hip joint. If not managed early after waking, the discomfort can continue throughout the day. These problems can be managed with a few simple measures that can help you start your day feeling more comfortable until your body gets accustomed to movement after a long night’s sleep. 

Stretching Upon Waking 

You can improve your mobility early in the morning by doing stretching exercises immediately, even before you get out of bed. Stretching can help to stimulate blood flow to muscles and ligaments, making it easy to move after the long period of immobility during the night. You can begin by simply lying in bed and stretching your legs out their full length, pointing the toes and holding the stretch for a count of 10. Then, release the stretch. Repeat 5 times. You can also do a stretch of your arms and shoulders, neck and upper back in a similar manner. 

Exercise 

You can also relieve morning stiffness and discomfort by engaging in gentle exercise immediately after rising from the bed. Gentle toe touches can help to remove stiffness in the spine and can loosen hip joints. Forward lunges help to increase circulation in the knee joints for smoother movement. Side leg swings help to improve flexibility in the hips, strengthen muscles around the knees and improve ankle support. Gently rolling the head and neck can eliminate neck stiffness and pain. 

Elastic Bandages 

Consumers can find a wide variety of elastic wraps, elastic-based braces, bandages, and bands that can help to support joints while sleeping to allow better flexibility in the morning. These bandages can improve circulation during the night and help support joints in normal sleep positions. Support bandages come in a variety of sizes, styles and materials to suit your individual needs. More substantial types of braces are also available. 

Pain Relief Options 

Over-the- counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can provide relief from pain that occurs after getting out of bed in the mornings. In addition, pain relief cream like MedPAINCREAM can help with morning stiffness and discomfort that occurs when you first get moving (like during an early morning bike workout) after a long night’s sleep. 

Supplement for Joint Pain 

Studies show that a number of natural dietary supplements can be helpful for reducing joint pain. Glucosamine chondroitin supplements are one of the most popular natural methods for reducing discomfort. Turmeric is a remedy for joint pain that has been used for hundreds for year and is now making a comeback. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) is another supplement that can provide relief for morning stiffness and pain. 

These simple measures can relieve joint discomfort and help you to feel more comfortable as you start your day. Try them, and you will see immediately improvement in your productivity, flexibility, and mobility.

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