Bracing Archives

STIFF NECK

Follow Ups:

• Re: STIFF NECK AL 12:50:19 7/23/02 (0)
• Great Spine program Helping You 20:42:34 7/19/02 (0)
• Re: STIFF NECK Terri-Lynn 12:45:55 7/19/02 (0)
• Re: STIFF NECK (Ankylosing Spondylitis?) Archive in bracing. Walt Stoll 09:39:43 7/19/02 (0)
• Re: STIFF NECK Cheezi 01:38:03 7/19/02 (0)
• Re: STIFF NECK Happygal 00:25:10 7/19/02 (0)
• Re: STIFF NECK Terri-Lynn 22:28:45 7/18/02 (0)
• Re: STIFF NECK Vince F 17:56:15 7/18/02 (0)

In Reply to: STIFF NECK posted by AL on July 18, 2002 at 10:57:47:

I had a stiff neck and moving my head, a pain would shoot
over my scalp to my forehead. I tried to put a heating pad
on it but it wouldn't take the shape so I made a plaster
out of cayenne pepper and applied it and in 15 min the
problem was gone.

VF

In Reply to: STIFF NECK posted by AL on July 18, 2002 at 10:57:47:

Doing some stretching exercises would be a great benifit after you finish working or working out in a gym to help let go of the tension held there. Try head and neck exercises and work shoulders in circular motions will also help remove stress; You can perhaps go to a massage school and get one of those massage for $20.00, someone said they did on the board, it would also help.

In Reply to: STIFF NECK posted by AL on July 18, 2002 at 10:57:47:

Hi AL,

Have you had your computer setup checked for correct ergonomics? Here's a few things for you to check out:

• Check for room temperature and drafts. Windows can bring in strong sunshine with too much heat; air conditioning vents or windows can cause drafts. Cool air blowing directly on the neck can cause muscular tension.

• Clutter may cause stress; take some time to organize your work station so you can find things easily. Is your equipment arranged so that you can work in a natural and relaxed position? Are items that you use frequently within easy reach?

• Do your eyes look slightly downward when viewing the middle of the screen? Is your monitor no closer than 12 inches and no further away than 28 inches from your eyes? Is it directly in front of you, allowing for a straight rather than a turned neck?

• Do you use a document holder placed close to the screen?

• Do you take frequent mini-breaks that involve walking, standing, and stretching? During these breaks, stretch muscles and joints that were in one position for an extended period of time. Relax muscles and joints that were active.

• Do you spend time during your lunch break to do some active movement?

• Proper exercise when away from the job can help alleviate fatigue.

It does indeed sound like massage would help you a lot. If you cannot afford massage, do some self-massage. To massage your own neck and shoulders, lay down on your back so that your neck is relaxed. Use a little lotion if you like. For those very tender spots, massage them very gently. Try doing this for 10 - 15 minutes a day. You will probably do yourself quite a bit of good if you do this regularly, but every once in a while, you might get a professional massage because experienced hands know exactly where to work, and what is and isn't a muscular problem. Also your therapist may be able to give you more suggestions for self-care. I would recommend finding a way to do this once a month. Some massage therapists have big hearts and will give you a break on the price or trade for something you can do.

I had a client who couldn't turn her neck or lift her right arm completely. With regular massage (every week for 2 months, then gradually slowing down to every 6 weeks) it was completely resolved. I wish you could find a way to do it.

Try rubbing some Tiger Balm on your neck and shoulders. It will help the pain and often relaxes the muscles, too. It is available at most drug stores, all health food stores, and Wal-Mart.

With your neck so tight, if you choose to do stretching, be EXTREMELY cautious. Just tip your head to the side and hold it there for a few seconds, then return to straight. Repeat a few times and then change the angle slightly until you slowly do the whole neck. There should NEVER be pain when stretching, and the keywords are GO SLOW. Circular movements are not recommended. If you are very slow with this, you can do it for a few minutes a day and it will help. You might also get a stretching book and find some stretches for your shoulders. You might be wise to call your doc and ask to be certain that even gentle stretching would be safe considering your disc condition. Better safe than sorry.

Another very wise, and inexpensive, thing you can do is follow the advice on this website for Practicing Serious Wellness, also known as the Three Legged Stool. It will help you improve your overall wellness, which in turn will improve the condition of your neck and shoulders. If I were you, I would start with Skilled Relaxation. The information is in the archives.

Best wishes,
Happygal (Certified Massage Therapist)

In Reply to: STIFF NECK posted by AL on July 18, 2002 at 10:57:47:

My friend, Shirley, has Degenerative Disc Disease. She required surgery to fuse a couple of discs in her neck together. After the surgery though, she still had pain with it. She uses nutritional supplements to get rid of the pain. One of them has I think three natural inflammatories in it, along with lots of other nutrients. You can have a much better quality of life if you just practice wellness and find a good nutritional supplement. She doesn't use any medications anymore at all.

In Reply to: STIFF NECK posted by AL on July 18, 2002 at 10:57:47:

Hi, Al.

My bet is that you have ankylosing spondylitis (look it up). Unless you can stop the process you are going to have a one piece spine.

Bracing is the most common cause of this and you MUST listen to Cheezi, Happygal, Terri-Lynn and Vince F. to start with.

Go to the glossary for any unfamiliar terms and then to the home page and archives for what you learn until you begin to see how this all fits together.

Start with bracing (since that is the one thing you absolutely must stop). Then go to arthritis, SR, LGS, exercise (for the flexibility and underwater exercises) and then go to wellness and get started.

Let us know how you do. This is probably still reversible but at the very least you will be able to keep it from getting worse.

Walt

In Reply to: STIFF NECK posted by AL on July 18, 2002 at 10:57:47:

You guys are great, such wonderful suggestions!
I just thought of something i've seen a big help with also;
Suppliment; MSM-can help the imflamation;
Tissue Salt- homeapathic mineral #4-also taking it every 5 min. for 5x and then cut back on it to 4x a day; You take 4 at a time; There is a little book called Biochemic Tissue book that is a great little $2.50 to get. Now homepathic does not work as well with drugs though, just not as effective, if your on any;

In Reply to: STIFF NECK posted by AL on July 18, 2002 at 10:57:47:

The following therapies, especially if combined, can reverse maybe 80% of what is going on with you. I don't have time to go into each one, but do a search for each on of these at www.google.com and read thoroughly.

1. Neurocranial Restructuring = Changes your entire posture!! Most powerful physical therapy I know of!!

2. Prolotherapy = re-grows ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules. Can also repair rotater cuff tears. Can strenghten connective tissue better than your body can on its own!!

3. Chelation Therapy = this is to remove the calcium deposits that results from the weakness in your spine. Once the NCR and Prolotherapy have corrected or reduced your problems, chelation can take out the excess calcium but this must be done AFTER the first two therapies.

4. Ultrasound can also be used to take out calcium deposits

5. Pilates = body work that teaches you to use correct muscles to hold posture correctly. After the above

6. Weight Lifting = Once you have completed the above, weight lifting will strengthen the muscles and protect your entire spine. Pilates can be incorporated into the weight lifting. Pilates is all about keeping your spine in neutral

7. Glucosamine, MSM, Cetyl Myristoleate formula = this will help to rebuild damaged joints. This can be started at any time.

THis is the most powerful program I know of. I don't know of many people that have done all of the above (I have) but the ones that do it get AMAZING results!!

-HY

In Reply to: STIFF NECK posted by AL on July 18, 2002 at 10:57:47:

Absolutely great advice from everyone. I'm impressed with this site. Plan to use it again. Thanks to one and all, and I'm checking on everything suggested to me.