The Alternative Pain Relief Blog

What is a "Pinched Nerve"?

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:59:00 +0000

What is a "Pinched Nerve"? This is a condition where there is nerve pressure, typically from spinal degeneration or a disc herniation, or both.

When a disc herniates, or protudes (disk protrusion) it travels into the area occupied by the nerves or nerve roots. This then creates the "pinching" effect. This pinching can also be created by a buged disc, as well as bone spurring or arthritis. In fact, someone asked me which pillow might work best for a person with arthritis and osteophytes in the neck. My response- The Cervical Traction Neck Pillow.

The traction pillow can help to open up the nerve holes slightly more giving relief from osteophyte, bone spurs, or deteriorating spinal bones. With this particular pillow you also have the option to use the slightly softer Linear Gravity side if that gives more comfort (just rotate the pillow 180 degrees).

As you may have guessed osteophytes is the medical term for boe spurring. As breakdown or arthritis occurs the bone starts wearing down and the discs often flatten and therefore bulge out. Any one of these thing can then cause a pinched nerve. This can not only happen in the neck, but anywhere in the back. When it is in the neck you may have shoulder or arm pain; in the low back, you may have leg pain or sciatica.

Keeping the spine healthy and in a healthy position is paramount to preventing pinched nerves.

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Tinnitus or Ringing in the Ear – Can this Be Coming From My Neck?

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:27:00 +0000

This blog post is written by Dr. Matthew Bellinger, a chiropractor in Glastonbury Connecticut.

For years my own father suffered from ringing in the ears. I remember him describing it more like the sound of a train coming through when it was bad. I know it was very disturbing and difficult for him to deal with. Looking back it kind of makes me think of a serious migraine sufferer; when it was bad he used to have to go up to his bedroom and lay down for awhile until it subsided. Sadly, there were many times where my father missed out on a family function or something else he might have enjoyed, because of his tinnitus.

His history involves years of physical work as well as contact sports. He was a wrestler which involves a lot of head and neck twisting is one particular thing that sticks out. He also took a big fall as a kid which may have injured his neck. Another factor was that he spent four years in the navy on submarines which can irritate the inner ears in certain circumstances.

He was examined by a chiropractor and it was shown on his xrays that he had a significant misalignment of the atlas (the top bone of his spine). The atlas is extremely important because in the upper cervical spine there is a very rich bed of nerves and nerve impulses. Pressure on nerves in this region can cause a number of serious health issues. Not to mention, nerves in the upper neck do also communicate to the ear, sinuses, eyes, etc; all areas that are closely connected.

Through treatments at his chiropractor’s office and recommendations of things to do at home and work, he was able to eliminate his ringing in the ears and function normally again.

- Dr. Matthew Bellinger, Glastonbury Chiropractor

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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"Should I Only Use My Neck Pillow When I’m In Pain?"

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:45:00 +0000

I personally would use it all the time, or at least the majority of the time. Your neck pillow can be a big help when you are having pain but it is also very important for improving and maintaining posture and spinal alignment. This in turn prevents pain and muscle tightness because it allows the cervical spine to stay in its natural alignment allowing the nerves to be in their natural positions. The natural normal alignment of the neck is straight up and down when looking at a spine from the front or back. From the side, or lateral view, there should be a smooth “C” like curvature.

The spine in this position helps the spinal cord to stay relaxed and allows your body to withstand the forces of gravity when upright. Keeping your spine in its normal healthy alignment at night sleeping helps train the spinal bones to stay in position during the day.

So pain relief is very important but maintaining and preventing neck pain is just as important as well. Remember the old saying: “An Ounce of PREVENTION is worth a Pound of CURE”!

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and home traction units. Choose Arc4life for Products for pain relief.

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The Scary Truth About The Nerves In Our Neck: THEY DON’T ALL DETECT PAIN!

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:46:00 +0000

This can be very scary because there can be problems going on and you don’t know it. Then on day you may awake with pain and wonder; “What happened, how and why do I have this, I’ve been pain free for years”.

What’s been happening is that you’ve had pressure on nerves that don’t necessarily relay pain. Often I’ve come across people who seem pain free and “healthy” but they get an x-ray that reveals horrible degeneration for example. Degeneration is arthritis and it takes years to accumulate. And once you get to a certain level I can guarantee you will get pain.

If we leave pressure on a nerve it will break down itself and once we affect enough different nerve fibers you will irritate one that relays pain. The good news is we can spot some of these thing ahead of time. The main way is by looking at posture. Posture is a doorway into your spinal alignment. You always hear me talk about forward neck posture (that’s the most common shift of our neck spine). Someone with forward neck or head has that going on in their spine, or even a military neck or maybe a cervical khyphosis. Is this bad – Yep. Can this lead to pain or some other unwanted symptom like muscle irritation, loss of ranges of motion, or headaches, or worse – You bet!

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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I’ve Got: Spondylosis, Spondylolithesis, Subluxation, Kyphosis, etc… What Can I Do To Get Rid Of It?

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:58:00 +0000

Above are a few common terms used to describe certain neck conditions. Let’s go over what each one is and how to correct it.

1. Spondylosis – This is a term used synonymously with degeneration. So if you have cervical spondylosis you simply have degeneration. Arthritis is degeneration. To date there really is no known cure but keeping mobile, eating right and maintaining your spine health prevent and slow the degeneration process.
2. Spondylolisthesis - is when one spinal vertebrae shifts forward or back on the vertebrae below it. Often times is it is mild or degenerative in nature (vs from a trauma) it is stable and doesn’t necessarily cause a major problem. Neck traction and keeping your neck posture good help maintain your spine health and prevent this from occurring.
3. Subluxation – This is a misalignment of the spine. A spondylolithesis as well as a kyphosis are subluxations. A Vertebral Subluxation if left uncorrected will often continue to cause nerve pressure leading to symptoms of pain or something more serious depending on how severe it is and how long it’s been there. Seeing your chiropractor and maintaining your posture will make the biggest difference.
4. Kyphosis – A cervical kyphosis is a reversal of the normal neck curve. Instead of the normal “C” curve of the neck it would be back wards. This can put severe pressure on nerves and even tension the spinal cord. The spinal cord is in it’s normal relaxed state in proper alignment but when you straiten or reverse the normal “C” alignment it stesses the vertebral column and spinal cord. Neck traction is a must, as it helps you to get the proper alignment (in the neck or lower back).

The cervical linear traction neck pillow is what I would recommend at home also to supplement any other treatments or methods you might be currently using to correct or prevent the above neck conditions.

Additional Reading Resources:

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Best Treatments for Your Lower Back by Dr. Oz

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:11:00 +0000

This week, I want to post an article that was presented by Dr. Oz: Treatments for Your Lower Back Pain

Defining low back pain: About 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their life. The connection to a physical source isn't always clear, since some people show no spinal abnormalities on an X-ray yet suffer excruciating pain. Here are the treatment options:

Chiropractic treatment: Even when the pain is in the lower back, the problem tends to be with the entire spine, says Victor Meir Nazarian, a Los Angeles–based chiropractor. Chiropractors employ manipulation—adjustment of the vertebrae— to help align a patient's spine, and often prescribe regular visits. "People come in only when they're in pain," Nazarian says. "But we need to think of our spine the way we do our teeth, using preventive care to stay healthy."

Physical therapy: The lower back must flex, extend, and rotate, says physical therapist Peggy Brill, author of two books on managing pain through exercise. Yet most of us sit immobile for hours at a time. That's why physical therapists prescribe walking and other gentle exercise, such as stretching and core strengthening, following a flare-up of back pain. Usually, after 72 hours patients will begin to feel better, says Brill.

Stress relief: Stress is the source of most low back pain, according to John Sarno, MD, professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine at New York University. Though Sarno doesn't dispute that the pain is real, he believes it stems from buried emotional issues that trigger tension in the body and ultimately deprive nerves and muscles of oxygen; relief comes through understanding this link and by learning to deal with negative emotions constructively.

Surgery: "Think of this as the last resort," says Paul McCormick, MD, a professor of neurological surgery at Columbia University. Surgery may be necessary in some cases of curvature of the spine, narrowing of the cavity that surrounds spinal nerves, and nerve inflammation or disk degeneration—but these conditions are rare, McCormick says: "Ninety-nine out of one hundred patients will recover without surgery."

My Recommendation: The research is positive on chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and stress relief—they all help ease back pain. (As Paul McCormick says, with rare exceptions, surgery is unnecessary.) The key is to get moving again as soon as possible after the pain hits, and then make sure you take steps to prevent a return. I see low back pain as a warning about overall fitness: If you're active, your hips and back are flexible, your core strength is good, and you're coping well with the emotional challenges in your life, your back probably won't bother you. Overlook one of those areas, however, and your back will let you know. And while the emotional link to back pain is controversial, there's no question that stress can play a part in muscle tension, especially in the lower back and hips, leading to trouble.

Source: Treatments for Low Back Pain by Dr. Mehmet Oz

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The Right Neck Pillow For Support

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:21:00 +0000

First let’s describe what a neck pillow is. A Neck Pillow is a special pillow designed to give you adequate neck support when you sleep. It may come in various shapes and sizes and made out of many different types of material.

Our most successful pillow for people is our Cervical Traction Neck Pillow. This pillow is made out of a synthetic fiber. It’s not too hard like sometimes foam pillows are, not too soft like a down or feather pillow, but just right. It has a built in neck roll with slightly more fiber to hold support in the neck.

This neck roll is the key ingredient to a good neck pillow. It’s this neck roll that will maintain the proper neck curvature as well as improve it. This is important because keeping your best neck alignment ensures that the nerves in the neck are free from pressure and therefore keeps you pain free.

The traction pillow also has a built in “V” which allows for gentle neck traction and prevents you from moving around too much at night. The traction helps open up those nerve holes slightly giving additional nerve pressure release.

This pillow is also essentially 2 pillows in 1 because if you rotate it 180 degrees you have the Linear Gravity Pillow side. This side consists of only the neck roll and not the “V”.

The Linear Gravity Pillow is our 2nd most popular and comes in a small, medium, and large size whereas the Traction Pillow only comes in the medium or standard size. If you are over 6’2” we recommend the large; if under 5’1” we recommend the Linear Gravity small neck pillow.

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Can Poor Posture Lead to a Loss of Height?

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:03:00 +0000

“My doctor examined me this year and it looks like I’m an inch or two shorter, how is that possible?” “I’ve had poor posture, forward head especially for some time, but over the years I’ve never noticed I lost height.”

The statement above is more common than we think. Over time, poor posture means more pressure on the discs in our spine. Those discs are between every bone of the spine and actually make up 1/3 the height of your spine. Because of this, losing a little height from each disc can make a change of your height significant.

Also misalignments are a root cause. Misalignment are either created by poor posture or actually force you into poor posture. The normal spine alignment keeps you upright and tall; someone with a scoliosis automatically loses some height just because of a curve in their spine. Not to mention, when their are misalignments or shifts the disks are not held in place as well which leads to nerve pressure and degeneration (flattening and bulging of the disc).

Prevent disc degeneration and flattening of your discs by using a good neck pillow, the posture corrector for the upper and mid back, and a back rest for the lumbar spine.

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Non Surgical Treatment Solutions for Neck Pain

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:23:00 +0000

Today’s blog post about neck pain treatment solutions comes from Dr. Bellinger’s monthly newsletter, In Good Hands.

There are many treatment options for those suffering from neck pain. There is conventional medical care where the family doctor will usually prescribe a muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, and/or pain killer to help patients through episodes of acute neck pain. However, many patients with neck pain have been through the process of treatments associated with medications and simply cannot tolerate the adverse side effects of stomach pain common with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Mediprin, etc.), Aleve (Naproxen), or aspirin. Others don’t like the groggy, drunk-like feelings associated with pain killers or the sleepiness associated with muscle relaxants. Therefore, these patients often turn to complementary / alternative care.

As noted in the May, 2009 issue of Consumer’s Report for low back pain, chiropractic was the most sought after form of treatment, but there has been no extensive review of neck pain regarding evidence-based treatment approaches – at least not until February, 2008. An international “team” representing 9 countries screened over 31,000 titles of articles published between 1980 and 2006, reviewed more than 1200 articles and eventually reported on 552 studies in their final report. Their findings included the following:

In the US, 54% utilized complementary (alternative) treatment approaches compared to 37% that obtained conventional medical care.
Neck pain was the 2nd most common reason Americans obtained chiropractic care.
Chiropractic was found to be the most frequently reported form of treatment for upper back or neck pain (ahead of massage therapy, relaxation therapy, acupuncture).
Those who obtained complementary AND conventional medical care were much more likely to perceive the complementary/alternative therapy as being helpful (61% vs. 6.4% for neck conditions and 39.1% vs. 19% for headaches).
Women more commonly obtained care than men for neck/shoulder pain (29% vs. 18% men) over a 4-6 year time frame.
Manual therapy (mobilization, manipulation, stretching) was associated with greater pain reduction in the short-term among patients with acute whiplash when compared with usual medical care, soft collars, passive modalities, or general advice.
For non-whiplash neck pain (without arm radiating pain), manipulation or mobilization, exercise, low level laser therapy (LLLT), and “…perhaps acupuncture…” were reported as more effective than no treatment, sham, or other alternative interventions.
For both whiplash and non-traumatic neck pain, supervised exercise with or without manual therapy was favored over usual medical care or no care.

As you can see there are alternative treatments for neck pain. If you suffer from neck pain or upper back pain, seek chiropractic treatment. This includes a wide array of neck pain solutions: manipulation, mobilization, exercise training, and activity modifying advice, as these approaches have been found to be more effective than usual medical care! Why waste time with a “wait and watch” with or without drug intervention approach when the evidence favors chiropractic related interventions.

Additional Reading Resources

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Arc4life’s Spine-Worx Posture system helps maintain spinal alignment!

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Your pillows have helped my neck but I still get some mid and lower back pain, what can I do?

A lot of the time fixing the neck will help the mid and lower back. Our spine all works together; our bodies are one big kinetic chain because. You know – our leg bone connects to our hip bone, our hip bone connects to our… I forget the actual rhyme but basically we are connected from our head to our toes.

It helps to correct the whole spine for faster recovery from pain. Correcting neck posture will often times help fix mid and lower back posture too. But it works in the reverse as well; correct the mid or low back alignment and it will help fix neck alignment issues.

For example, someone with sway back posture or a hyperlordosis (extra curve, individual looks like he or she lead with their belly) in the lumbar spine may develop forward head posture to compensate. Then the anterior head carriage cause the upper and mid back to hunch up.

The spine-worx posture align device is a great tool to help correct the low back and mid back issues that can lead to additional spine misalignments such as forward head. These misalignments are what cause neck and back pain by putting stress on our nerves.

Having optimal posture cannot be overstated- It allows your body to have the proper mobility, function and not to mention that it is healthy for your nervous system. In addition to getting regular chiropractic adjustments, doing exercise and using common sense during physical activity is important to maintain good posture. Arc 4 Life Is proud to introduce another posture tool that you can to realign your spine into its most natural position. Designed by a chiropractor, the Spine Worx Posture Align uses your body's own weight to apply controlled pressure to the spinal bones:

The Spine Worx Posture Align is only for the mid back and lower back area. The postural device works by gently aligning the bones in your midback or lower back into their natural positions. This helps to relieve back pain and improve your range of motion. With this back support system, you simply lie on Spine-Worx™ (see diagram below) your spine is pressed firmly against the length of its two unique padded and contoured rails, injection-molded to fit the natural shape of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Use just for one level or multiple levels.

The vertebrae in the spine are gradually and gently encouraged to realign into their natural positions, which helps to relieve mid back pain and lower back , while improving overall mobility.

Having Optimal Posture is the key to having good health. The Spine Worx Posture Align can help you do that.

Additional Reading Resources

Visit Arc 4 Life for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products, lower back supports and cushions.

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Stop Progression of Disc Protrusions, Bulges, and Disc Degeneration...

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:11:00 +0000

The Cervical Traction Pillow Relieves Pressure in the neck, reduces pain, improves posture, and slows the process of degeneration of the discs in the neck.

By putting the neck back into alignment and taking pressure off the nerves, the neck can work like it should. This means the muscles, neck spinal bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and discs.

Visit Arc 4 Life.com for your online selection of all types of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Poor Neck Posture Puts Pressure On Your Discs

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:09:00 +0000

Forward Head Posture is on of the most common misalignments out there, but there are other common neck abnormalities like head tilt and a neck that is shifted laterally. THEY ALL PUT EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE DISCS!

This spine is built in a way that it can withstand various forces on it such as gravity pushing down, turning, jumping, twisting, etc…

Any shift in the spine, whether it’s forward head or another misaligned posture, puts increased pressure on the spine and discs makingyour chance of getting neck pain or problems greater.

Use one of our neck pillows to align your neck preventing pain, poor neck posture, and disc degeneration. Our most popular pillow is the Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow. Read what others have said about the Traction Pillow.

Visit Arc4life.com for neck pain solutions: get better sleep and better posture with our products.

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Back Pain and Neck Pain Due to Fibromyalgia: Can Diet Make A Difference?

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex condition that includes widespread symptoms of muscle and joint pain, where everything seems to ache and is associated with severe exhaustion and fatigue. It can cause pain in the shoulders, neck, low back, hips, or other areas. Other symptoms such as sleep disturbances, sensitivity to touch, genitourinary symptoms are common as well. It affects up to 4% of the population, woman greater than men, with no known cause or known cure. With these facts, it’s not surprising that many sufferers have turned to diet as a means of trying to improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, there are many conflicting dietary recommendations for FM, some completely contradicting the other, leaving the patient and doctor confused as to who or what to believe.

FM can be primary (of unknown cause) or secondary (caused by a different specific condition). Because many conditions can give rise to FM, it’s not surprising that there is no one diet that works universally for all FM patients. However, many FM sufferers respond from eliminating one or more of several types of foods according to experts interviewed by WebMD, and utilizing these recommendations can prove highly effective. They specifically identified 7 foods to avoid in the management of FM, which include the following:

Aspartame (NutraSweet): All of the experts interviewed by WebMD agreed a large majority of FM patients could worsen by eating or drinking foods sweetened by aspartame.
MSG (monosodium glutamine) and nitrates: MSG is a common additive to enhance flavor in many processed and frozen foods as well as in some Asian (eg., Chinese) foods. Hence, lunchmeats like ham, bologna and bacon should be avoided.
Sugar, fructose, and simple carbohydrates: Though no study has clearly identified that these foods directly worsen the symptoms in FM patients, eliminating foods like cake, white bread and sugar in general, will decrease the risk of developing secondary conditions such as yeast infections that can give rise to FM. Eliminating foods with high levels of fructose corn syrup has been reported to help some FM patients.
Caffeine (coffee, tea, colas/soda, chocolate): After a brief stimulating effect (energy boost), there is a longer lasting sedative affect, which is amplified in FM patients. The good news is that most of the caffeine is out of the body within a week of discontinuing use.
Yeast and glutens: These two are not related but are frequently used together in foods like cake, donuts and bread and both contribute to FM symptoms. Yeast gives rise to yeast fungus where an overgrowth may cause or exacerbate FM symptoms resulting in joint and muscle pain. Glutens can cause stomach and other GI problems, which in turn can give rise to fatigue.
Dairy: Regardless if its low or high fat, some reports indicate that dairy products, particularly milk can increase the symptoms of FM and avoiding these can help.
Nightshade plants: Tomatoes, chili and bell peppers, potatoes and eggplant can trigger flare-ups of FM and various forms of arthritis.

Some GOOD diet approaches include a heart-healthy diet – that is, one that is low in saturated fat and includes lean meats; poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables. This diet improves one’s overall health, thus reducing the risk of secondary FM and allowing the body to better fight off other disease processes. This diet is also anti-inflammatory, the common link found in many health conditions. A vegetarian diet comprised of mostly whole foods was also reported as helpful. High potency vitamin supplement and specifically Omega 3 fatty acids (main ingredients – EPA & DHA) included in fish oil, flax seed, walnuts, some fortified cereals, and eggs also help reduce inflammation.

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10 Problems with your Chair that Can Contribute to Lower Back Pain

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:07:00 +0000

If you work with a computer constantly, drive long distances, or are sitting on the telephone talking to your clients all day, this next blog post will be beneficial for you.

There is a technique of sitting, and your chair has a lot to do with it.

When you sit in a chair, your muscles should be relaxed, and you should have good posture while you sit. An ergonomically correct chair will work with you to ensure that you are sitting correctly and are pain free by the end of the day. Sitting in an ill-fitting chair puts added stress to your body. It can cause fatigue and strain to your muscles. A great chair will allow your body to relax and give you support when your posture is not at its best.

Not using a Lumbar Support- this causes added stress to the lower bck. A Lumbar Support is often “C”shaped to conform to the curves of your lumbar spine. A Lumbar Support allows you have the correct lumbar lordosis in your back. There are so many lumbar supports out there with a common goal of making sure you have good posture when you sit. For an office chair lumbar support, try the SitBack Rest. It has slight wings that will hold your midback area in place along with giving you a lordosis in the lumbar spine. If you want something that is less bulky, you can try the SlimRest Back Cushion which is ideal for automobiles. You can also get lumbar support cushions for which you control how much pressure and support you want for your lower back: The Inflatable lumbar support cushion. Recently, we introduced our readers to a back rest that provides ice or heat therapies while you sitting. If you suffer from chronic lower back pain, this back rest has a spot for hot or cold therapy pack- This sitback rest PLUS is very convenient and handy.
Watch Arc4life's YouTube Video about how to use a lumbar cushion here:
The arm rests are not at the right level. If your armrest is too high or too low they can cause discomfort while you are sitting. Your elbows should reach the arm rests, therefore decreasing the stress on your shoulder muscles. Ideally, your arms should be flexed 75-90 degrees for optimal posture.
Back rest is scooped in the upper portion of the chair. The backrest should be flat in the upper portion. This can cause you to lean forward or slouch, which is not good for back posture. A chair with a flat back will ensure that as the day progresses and you get more tired, your posture stays in good form.
Back rest is too vertical
Backrest is too short
Jack knifing effect at the hips and knees.This position can exaggerate the curve in the lumbar spine which increase pressure on the lower back muscles and ligaments, creating pain and discomfort. Your knees should be even with your knees or slightly elevated for good posture.
High front edge of the seat. This can decrease circulation to the legs and feet
Seat Bottom is too soft in the center. This creates a “bucket effect”- this effect places more stress and load on your outer thighs, instead of the bony joints of your buttocks.
Feet are not in the right position when sitting. Make sure that when you are sitting, your feet are touching the floor flat. If you are uncomfortable with this, use a foot rest or even a phone book to elevate your feet.
Overall chair size is not right for you. If you are petite person an over size chair is not going to help you or be comfortable.

Making changes to how we sit can be difficult and discomforting at first. It can even cause soreness because your body is not used to changing the way our muscles are being used. However the effort put into making sure you have good posture while sitting is well worth it. You back will thank you in the long term.

Source: Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, by Travell and Simons

Photo Source: Joanie Malone

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Visit Arc 4 Life for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products, lower back supports and cushions.

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The Neck Pain and TMJ Connection

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Today’s blog post comes from Dr. Matt Bellinger’s Chiropractic newsletter that he mails to his patients monthly. A chiropractor in Glastonbury, Dr. Bellinger is dedicated to treating chronic conditions such as neck pain and lower back pain.

If you have ever suffered with jaw pain, then you also suffered with neck pain as well. The two are structurally related as we shall see.

The jaw (frequently referred to as the TMJ) is associated with neck function, especially the upper cervical vertebrae. The muscles that move the jaw/TMJ are largely innervated by the 5th cranial nerve, also called the trigeminal nerve. Several studies have found that when stimulating structures innervated by the trigeminal nerve, neck and/or jaw pain was created and vise versa.

Similarly, patients with jaw problems (called temporomandibular dysfunction or, TMD) often report neck pain. When we open our mouth wide, head-neck extension always occurs followed by head-flexion when we close the jaw. Hence, the neck is always moving when we chew, yawn, talk, and clench our teeth. In fact, all of these every day activities result in jaw, head, neck motion extending from the base of the skull and first cervical vertebra (occiput-C1) and continues down through the entire cervical spine.

This was investigated in a study where the relationship between neck symptoms, jaw function – specifically active mouth opening, and pressure pain sensitivity in a trigeminal nerve innervated region after a spinal manipulation was applied to the upper neck vertebrae. Here, 37 female patients with neck pain were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (control and experimental) and, before and after treatment, exams of mouth opening and pressure pain levels were measured. The group receiving the upper neck manipulation showed a significant increase in active mouth opening motion as well as improved pressure pain tolerance compared to the control/non-manipulation group in a sample of woman with neck pain.

This study is very important as many people suffer from neck pain, headaches and TMD. In order to properly treat these patients, one must focus on multiple regions, not just the neck area. It has been demonstrated when we bite down, there is a corresponding tightening of two important muscles in the neck and upper back region.

Similarly, studies show relaxation of muscles in the neck, upper back and TMJ after spinal manipulation to the neck is applied. Injuries to the TMJ are common but often not pursued by patients as often they’ll say, “my jaw clicks and snaps but I don’t think about it much.”

Additional Reading Resources

Photo Source: New England Dental

Visit Arc 4 Life for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products, lower back supports and cushions.

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

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:28:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope this helps.

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How Driving A Truck can be Cause for Neck Pain and Lower Back Pain

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:31:00 +0000

Driving a Truck is a tough job- one that is physically demanding on the body. The fact that you sitting continuously is stressful on your neck and lower back area. This prolonged sitting, long hours without proper sleep, constant vibration and sometimes poor diet while on the road can make the case for poor health. Coincide that with a pre-existing condition in your neck and back area, may be aggravating one’s symptoms even further. So what are some things that a truck driver can do to maintain good health while on the road?

You may have to change the way you are working- for example, maybe lower or raise the truck seat, and use a lumbar cushion on your back to get the proper lordosis. Sometimes, your vehicle seat also has a built in lumbar support that you can inflate.

If you are doing heavy lifting make sure you are wearing a lumbar support belt to protect your lower back area.

Make sure you have a good head rest when you are driving as well. Even using a towel roll or Jackson Roll can aid in making sure you have good posture in your neck while driving.

Before starting a days work, stretch your neck and lower back area. Getting our joints and muscles warmed up before any activity can prevent major injuries later on. Truck driving is not just sitting for prolonged periods of time- the job description involves much more. There is a lot of heavy lifting, loading and unloading the trailer, yanking on certain parts of the truck like chains, and getting into and out of the truck which can be physically demanding on the body. Most people who are truck drivers are in good shape, but overall there is a lot of wear and tear on the body. There is a lot of bending, twisting and lifting involved.

An exercise program may be beneficial especially with the long hours with no activity that stresses the joints and body. Simply getting outside and walking after a few hours of driving can make a big difference. There are other treatments to try as well such as: chiropractic, massage therapy, Acupuncture, Physical therapy, traction for the neck/lower back - maybe even aquatic therapy.

Additional Reading Resources

Visit Arc 4 Life for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products, lower back supports and cushions.

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Sleeping Comfortably when You Have Neck and Lower Back Pain

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:13:00 +0000

If you are experiencing neck and lower back pain you know that it can be very difficult to get into a comfortable position for sleeping. In fact, you may find yourself tossing and turning for most of the night. You may even have tried sleeping on different mattresses, chairs, using different pillows and positions. So what can you do finally get some deep sound sleep?

Using a cervical support neck pillow (one with an indentation in the middle) can make a big difference. For example, Arc4life’s cervical traction neck pillow is a good cervical support pillow especially for neck pain relief. This neck pillow has two sides to it- a support side and a traction side. The traction side with give your head a gentle lift while sleeping and keep your head and neck in the proper position for sleeping. This cervical traction neck pillow is not going to be hard like the tempurpedic pillow- and it is not going to be soft like a feather pillow. It is called a cervical support neck pillow because it supports your head and neck in the most natural position.

Also, sleeping with pillows placed under your knees will help the lower back pain ease. You can buy fancy positioning products such as a knee elevator.
This position of sleeping will decrease the pressure placed on the lower back muscles and bones. IF you sleep on your side, take a pillow and put it in between your knees. For sleeping on your side you can try the spinal relief pillow: perfect for placing in between your legs when sleeping on your side.

Also, using a heating pad on your neck and lower back will help to decrease pain and calm the muscles down.

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How to get rid of foot and leg pain after standing all day?

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:57:00 +0000

One of my friends works at Nordstroms- all day she stands at the cash register or is putting stuff nicely on the displays- thats her job- stand, walk, stand, stand some more. So you can imagine that at the end of day she is going to be having pain in her feet and legs. Multiply that 1 day by 5- and she may be experiencing some major pains. What can she do for this foot and leg pain...well i have some ideas for pain relief:

Get fitted for orthotics- they can make such a big difference in your stance and the way you walk. They will make sure you have the proper arches in your feet, thus helping your posture. Foot orthotics allow the muscles, tendons & bones of the feet and lower legs to function at the best that they possibly can. They will help to decrease pain that you have associated with standing for prolonged periods of time.

You can get fitted at your chiropractors office for custom orthotics- insurance will cover it as well sometimes. The chiropractor has to fit your for these orthotics and they do this with a special mold of your feet. Alternately, you can also purchase a generic version at a pharmacy--but they won't be as effective or last as long.

Also at the end of the day take a tennis ball and massage the bottom of your foot. You can do this sitting. Sit on comfortable surface. Put the tennis ball on the floor and put your foot on top- then roll the ball with your foot along the tendons. This will help give you a good stretch of the foot tendons and muscles as well.

Alternately, you can also get a home foot massager. The Jeanie Foot Rub Massager is specifically designed for aching feet and legs. There are two speeds: a soothing low speed or an invigorating high speed massage for your feet. This foot massager is great for temporary discomforts or chronic conditions.

Well my friend continues to work but with some relief now- standing at a job is extremely tough on the body, but with a little extra effort we can make it more relaxing and less painful.

Additional Resources:

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Natural Pain Relief for the Knee

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 02:58:00 +0000

Chronic knee pain can be caused by an arthritic condition such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic Knee pain can also result post trauma, such as a past knee injury. Knee pain can be brought on by temperature changes outside, a rigorous workout such as kick boxing or even running. It can affect how well you are able to move around and simple things as standing to do the dishes can become quite a chore. What are some things that you can do for your knee pain naturally?

Slow moving martial arts called Tai Chi has been found to be a natural pain relief technique that is can decrease chronic knee pain. In fact, a new Tufts University study found that practicing tai chi for 12 weeks eased the pain of greater than 75% of people with chronic knee pain.
Use a topical analgesic gel such as Ibunex that contains Ibuprofen. Ibunex contains a combination of glucosamine and ibuprofen which works together to relieve chronic knee pain and delays the progression of osteoarthritis.
Use positioning products to make yourself more comfortable creating less stress on the knee joint. For example, use a leg spacer between your legs while sleeping (on your side) or a knee elevator (while sleeping on your back) under your legs. Positioning your knees in a position of maximum relief can allow for better circulation
If you are active and want to have extra knee support consider using a knee support- one that provides warms and mild compression. Try to use an elastic knee support as opposed to neoprene because elastic webbing acts like a muscle in that it stretches and contracts easily to conform to your body shape. It also provides constant pull or tension. Similar to a muscle so that you cannot overstretch your joints. If you suffer from chronic knee pain and use a knee support- use an elastic knee brace or an x-back elastic knee brace.

Links for 2009-02-18 [del.icio.us]

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

Understanding a Disc Lesion like a Jelly Donut....
What is the difference between a slipped disc vs a herniated disc. There is no difference
The Causes of A Cervical Radiculopathy
Depending on the cervical nerve root that is affected in a radiculopathy, a patient will notice neck pain that radiates into a certain area, weakness in certain muscles, or other neurological deficits. What causes irritation or compression to the cervical nerve roots in the first place?
Relief from tight muscles, stiff neck and other neck pains
Dr. Bellinger's Neck Pain Relief Kit- to help with neck pain once and for all
Cervical Traction Neck Pillow I Buy neck pillows online I Neck Pillow ...
Information about the cervical linear traction neck pillow
Neck Pillow for Neck Pain and Stiff Neck I Proper cervical support to stop neck pain and improve posture
features the cervical traction neck pillow- great for disc herniation in the neck, neck arthritis, neck pain and stiff neck
Neck Pillow and Cervical Traction for Neck Pain Relief I Dr recommended neck pillows & neck pain support
best neck pillow for sleeping
Neck Pillow and Cervical Traction for Neck Pain Relief I Dr recommended neck pillows & neck pain support
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best pillow for degeneration in the c spine
Neck Pain Support Blog: Stop Arthritis Neck Pain Dead In its Tracks
blog post about neck arthritis
Neck Pain Support Blog: The Powers of Vitamin D: Better Sleep and a Better Mind
information about vitamin d

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Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

Why Posture Is a Window to Your Health
Wouldn’t it be eye opening if we could peek inside our bodies to see what is going on? To have the ability to look around, assess our joints, our muscles, and see if everything is working right. Well, today technology is getting pretty close- MRI’s, CT Scans, ultrasounds- all give us a “picture” in black and white of what is going on with regards to structure.

What Is the Best Neck Pillow for Someone with a Cervical Disc?

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:18:00 +0000

By far, the #1 neck pillow we reccomend is the Cervical Traction Neck Pillow. The reason is that it will support the neck its proper alignment. By putting the normal curvature in the neck it allows the discs to stay in place as much as possible.

Secondly, it also takes tension off the spinal cord allowing inflammation to dissipate from the region and allow hydration and nutrients in. This in turn helps the discs to retract back into place.

Third, it gives a gentle stretch to the cervical spine allowing the nerve holes to open up, again reducing pressure and inflammation.

In addition to using the cervical traction neck pillow one will also benefit by doing regular neck traction during the day using the Pronex Pneumatic Cervical Traction Device, until symptoms resolve.

Additional Reading Resources

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

Neck Pain Support Blog
Natural Neck Pain Treatment, Neck Pain Articles and More- Your stop for Neck Pain Relief

What is the Burning Sensation between My Shoulder Blades?

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Today's Blog Post comes from a Yahoo Question from a 16 year old with pain in between the shoulder blades:

My brother says I have bad posture. I just have this horrible burning sensation between my shoulder blades and I get a stiff neck often, and it is just killing me. I am a 16-year-old teenager, why I got to suffer from this pain at such a young age?

This burning sensation between your shoulder blades is probably the rhomboid muscles being tight and in spasm. The Rhomboid muscles sit between your spine and scapula. The rhomboid muscles attach from C7 to T5 vertebrae to the medial border of the scapula. So the this muscle connects to your neck and midback area. The rhomboids are made up of rhomboid major and rhomboid minor. Also contributing to the pain in between the shoulder blades is going to be the thoracic paraspinals, and the trapezius muscle.

As a student, do you spend a lot of time studying or sitting with your head forward over your books? Inadverdently, you may even be slouching ! Especially if you have upper back sticks out. If you do, you are setting yourself up for bad posture. If you do this everyday it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your back muscles and even more on your neck. Bad posture can contribute to neck pain, upper back pain, stiff neck and sore shoulders and more.

The good news is that there are some simple things that you can do:

[1] Try not to slouch when you are sitting at school or while studying- make sure your back is straight. A good idea is have a back rest or cushion on your chair- this will ensure that you can sit back comfortably and not slouch. A back rest will also put a slight curve in your spine which promotes good posture. The Sit Back Rest is a good low back rest designed for the lumbar spine. Another good choice for when you sitting in the car or prefer a lumbar support that is slimmer is the SlimBack Rest.

[2] Instead of having to flex your head forward while studying, raise your material to eye level- If you can stand your books up that would really help with the neck and upper back pain.

[3] Exercises are important for your neck and upper back. Here are some good neck exercises. Even exercises like Yoga will help.

[4] Take breaks while you study

[5] Look at your backpack. Is it too heavy? Your backpack should weigh no more than 15 % of your body weight; So for example if you weigh 100 lbs, your backpack should weigh less than 15 lbs. There is a really good backpack called the Air Pack that your parents may want to check out. Look for a backpack that evenly distributes the weight of the contents.

[6] Here is a stretch for your rhomboid muscle and upper back: Cross one arm in front of your body. Now use the opposite arm to squeeze into your body and above or below elbow joint. Hold this stretch for about 10-15 seconds.

Visit Arc 4 Life for your online selection of low back pain relief products, back pack and lumbar supports.

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Ravens' Ed Reed Continues Playing His Best Despite a Nerve Impingment in his Neck

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:51:00 +0000

American football player Ed Reed who plays for the Baltimore Ravens has been having quite the season. He is playing so well despite a nerve impingement in his neck and shoulder. This is one of the reasons Reed wore a hands-off red quarterback's jersey much of training camp and was sidelined the entire preseason.

Reed has battled through the condition to become a relentless pain in the neck to opposing quarterbacks. Reed has said that his health is very important to him, and if it means that he has to sit it out for a while, he will.

"I never doubted my ability," Reed says. "It was just a matter of playing with my injury. The pain is still there. I've just been doing a lot of treatment this year and staying focused and keeping my eyes out for any feeling that I had in training camp that would put me out.

"I haven't had that. So I just move forward with it, take it day by day."

If it comes to surgery for this nerve impingement in his neck, Reed knows that it will affect his career and he is not willing to take that risk.

A nerve impingement in the neck is a very serious medical condition. It creates extra pressure on the neck nerves- nerves that supply all the head and neck muscles. When pressure is put on a cervical nerve 3 aspects are effected: motor, sensory and reflex. Reed may feel muscle weakness on the side of nerve impingment, may have a change or loss of sensation (like numbess and tingling) and also diminished reflexes. Regardless of the pain that he is dealing with in his neck, Reed continues to make a great performance.

Reed led the league in interceptions with nine this season and has 43 in the regular season for his career. He also has five career playoff interceptions and would seem a natural spokesman for the Maryland Lottery folks because of his uncanny knack for cashing in a pick six.

Reed continues to work to get treatment for his condition, and judging from his recent plays it is working but he has to be very careful. Having good support for his neck will be helpful such as neck traction or using a supportive neck pillow at night. There are newer treatments such as non surgical spinal decompression that may help him as well. Modalities such as heat and ice. Electrotherapy and massage will be beneficial to aid in muscle spasms and pain.

The 2004 NFL defensive player of the year is the only player in league history to boast a touchdown off a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble recovery. "He's maybe the best player in the game," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.

Reed has be careful in his next plays- yes he wants to be the best he can be for his team, but his health is more important and will affect the rest of his life.

Source: Jim Corbett: Reed overcomes own anguish to be a pain to opposing QBs USA Today

Picture Source: Lil_Mon_21 on Flickr

Additional Reading Resources:

What is the Best Pillow for A Pinched Nerve in the Neck
Part III: The Causes of Severe Neck Pain Resulting from a Cervical Radiculopathy
Part II: Neck Pain resulting from a C5, C6, C7, or C8 Radiculopathy
Part I: Are Your Severe Neck Pain Symptoms the Result of a Cervical Radiculopathy?
How to End Neck Pain By Doing Cervical Traction At Home - Learn Step by Step instructions how to use the Pronex Cervical Traction Neck Unit at Home
How Does a T.E.N.S Unit Work for Pain Relief
Hot and Cold Therapy for your Neck Pain Symptoms

Easy Pain Relief at Home: Using Hot and Cold- A Blog Post about how to treat pain at home with ice or heat; when to use each.

Visit Arc 4 life for your online selection of Neck Pain Relief Products for Home- cervical support neck pillows, neck traction, electrotherapy and other products

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Help Me! My husband Snores and I Cannot Sleep!!!

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:20:00 +0000

More people than you think snore. If you are a spouse or loved one of a "snorer" you know all to well how annoying it can be. More importantly is that for the person snoring is it not healthy. It is a sign they are not breathing properly. It may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

In the vast majority of snorers it’s an obstruction of airway. Breathing is extremely important because getting fresh air through your system is very valuable in your body functions and processes. Almost every reaction in your body uses oxygen. Fresh oxygen also helps detoxify your body. We know without air we cannot survive !

Whether you notice it or not snoring will also prevent you and who ever can hear you for a good nights sleep. The body performs many healing functions when you sleep and without a good amount of rest your body and mind will not work at its best. Just think of how you feel the next day if you didn’t sleep much the night before.

The Cervical Traction Neck Pillow puts your neck in its optimal position. This not only reduces pressure or nerves in your neck but allows for all your nasal passages to stay in an open clear position.

Clearly keeping all your nasal passage ways allows for air to move in and out freely reducing and preventing snoring. Something that many people overlook however is that keeping pressure of nerves communication to your sinuses and air passageways also plays a vital role.

Every aspect of our body and its functions are controlled by our nervous system. If we keep pressure and unwanted stress off of the nerves communication to our sinuses and nasal passageways we ensure that all is functioning 100%. Remember, any pressure on our nerves means that the part of the body those nerves innervate is not functioning at its best.

The right neck pillow puts your neck spine in its proper position. It helps keep the neck spine free and clear of any nerve pressure. This is often why the breathing strips placed over the nose sometimes do not work. The really only help open one air passage but don’t do anything for the nerves. The cervical traction neck pillow helps with both.

Some other things that may be contributing to the snoring is poor air quality. In the winter time when the air is oten more dry an the furnace is always running you may notice the snoring problem more. Allergens in the air can also contribute to the problem.

The Cervical Traction neck pillow is made with special hypoallergenic fibers and also is available with a dust protector cover to protect it from the outside dust and allergens in the air. This can be very helpful to individuals with dust allergies that can be contributing to the problem.

Also I recommend changing your air filters frequently and often cleaning your air ducts periodically to reduce dust and allergies in your homes air supply. Sometimes a humidifier in the bedroom may help put a little moisture in the air. So start in the path to getting rid of your snoring habit by choosing the rght neck pillow. Not only will it make your loved ones happier but it will improve your health.

Additional Resources:

Neck Pain Support Blog

Visit Arc 4 Life for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Natural Products for pain relief everyday.

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To all our Loyal Readers, Wishing Everyone A Wonderful 2009, filled with Good Health, Happiness and Laughter !!- NJ

A Travel Neck Pillow for the AirPlane and Airport

noreply@blogger.com (NJ) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:57:00 +0000

No one wants to have neck pain just from travelling during the holidays. It has been reported that 20% of travelers injure their back or neck in the whole travelling process. A large percentage of those report having a sore neck after being in uncomfortable positions while seated. If you are travelling during the holiday season by air plane, then you will definitely be spending some time in the airport waiting area and then sitting on an airplane. Most likely in the seated position. Trying to get some sleep in a sitting position can be difficult. There are special travel pillows that are u shaped that made especially for going around your neck in any position. They will ensure that your head and neck are aligned properly. It is very easy to have your neck flopping from side to side in a awkward position. These travel pillows can be made out of fiber or foam depending on your preference.
There is also a special neck pillow designed for people who suffer from headaches, call the Headache Ice Pillow- it uses the combination of ice (with a gel pack) and proper support for the neck to decrease inflammation and tension in the muscles of the neck.

Travel pillows will ensure that you arrive well rested and refreshed, no matter where your destination.

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST

15% Coupon on Arc4life until December 19th 2007
Good for the cervical traction neck pillow, pronex pneumatic traction neck unit, lumbar back supports, posture pump 1000, lumbar belts and other orthopedic products for chronic pain relief

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Amazon.com: Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow: Health & Personal Care
great product for neck pain relief. Great results and wonderful customer service from arc4life.com. This neck pillow is the bomb!!!!