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Why does my neck hurt in the morning: The request could not be satisfied

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Morning Neck Pain? These Five Reasons Might Be Why.

Nothing puts a damper on the day than waking up with pain. However, a stiff, sore neck doesn’t have to ruin your day. Unfortunately, neck pain is becoming increasingly more common amongst Canadians. According to this study, the majority of Canadians will experience neck pain at some point in their lives.

So what is causing your neck pain? Here are some possible culprits

You Aren’t Sleeping On Your Back

Sleeping on your back is typically the best position for allowing your spine to rest comfortably. Sleeping on your back and wedging a pillow under each arm can reduce the amount of strain on your neck. You may also want to try sleeping on a slight incline. This can be achieved using a foam wedge or switching to an adjustable bed.

You’re Using the Wrong Pillow For You

Not all pillows are created equal. While there is no definitive best style of pillow there are a few things to consider before laying your head down for the night. First, you want to find a pillow that keeps your neck as neutrally aligned as possible. This means that your pillow should support the natural curve of your neck. What that natural curve is depends on the person. Some people find their neck pain decreases when they lie on their back and sleep with a relatively flat pillow or an orthopedic pillow with a deep depression. Side sleepers should find a pillow that isn’t too high, and try and opt for a pillow that is between 4 and 6 inches thick. Try to prevent your head and neck from turning or bending unnaturally to either side.

You Need To Stretch More

Make sure you stretch your neck muscles periodically throughout the day, especially if you spend a lot of time hunched over a desk. One simple exercise is the chin tuck, which is demonstrated in the video below.

Start with a neutral posture then gently move your head back until your ears are over your shoulders. Hold this position for one to two seconds, then release.

It is also important to do neck stabilization and strengthening exercises, such as the one demonstrated in the video below:

Lie on your back with a small, rolled up towel under your neck. Do your best to keep your spine straight, then slowly lift your chin up and hold it for a few seconds. Then, slowly pull your chin down towards your chest and hold it there for a few more seconds.

For other recommended neck exercises talk to your physiotherapist.

You Are Dehydrated

Drinking enough water is important for many reasons, one of which is to keep your discs nourished and hydrated. Discs are small, spongy structures that sit between the vertebrae in your beck. Because they are mostly made up of water staying hydrated keeps them both pliable and strong. Ideally, you should be drinking at least eight large glasses of water per day.

You Have “Text Neck”

According to this CBC article (and this study) excessive texting is causing us to spend more and more time looking down, putting increased strain on our necks. This can result in serious problems, including alignment problems and disk hernias. Looking down for hours at a time is actually changing how our necks curve. While our necks typically curve backward, the authors of the study noted that our necks are now more likely to curve forwards, creating a whole host of posture problems. To avoid “text neck” make sure you regularly take a break from your phone. Read more about text neck.

If nothing seems to be able to soothe your neck pain it could be an indication that something is seriously wrong. If your pain persists you should make an appointment with your physiotherapist as soon as possible. To make an appointment at Beacon Hill Physiotherapy contact us today. We are open six days a week for your convenience, so don’t delay!

Why Does My Neck Hurt Every Morning?

Why Does My Neck Hurt Every Morning?

Waking up with neck pain can be the fastest way to start your day off on the wrong foot. You’re barely out of bed and the pain already threatens to ruin the day. How can you avoid the morning pain in your neck?

 

Evaluate your pillow:

Pillows are designed to support your neck while you’re sleeping. By following the natural curve of your spine, a pillow should gently hold your head while reducing the pressure on your neck. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all pillow, however. You should choose a pillow based on your own body type and sleep style.

If you sleep …

  • On your stomach:
    Consider choosing the slimmest pillow possible, or skip the pillow completely. When you sleep on your stomach, you put more pressure on your cervical spine. This can also cause you to twist your neck to one side, which can create tension in your neck muscles. If you are already experiencing neck pain, try sleeping in a different position to give your neck some relief.
  • On your side:
    The ideal scenario to avoid neck pain is to keep your neck and head aligned in the center of your shoulders. If you sleep on your side, you’ll need a thick pillow to keep your head elevated properly. Depending on your shoulder width and height, you may need an extra-large pillow if you’re broad-shouldered or a thinner one if you’re petite.
  • On your back:
    While you’re sleeping on your back, the curve of your neck should be similar to when you’re standing. You can tell if you’re using the correct pillow by having someone take a picture of your neck while you’re lying on your pillow. If there is too much curve, you need a flatter pillow.

 

Want to change your sleep position? Create a barrier around yourself with pillows while you’re sleeping so you don’t move. Try adapting your current sleep position by changing your pillow. It may be a simple adjustment that can end your neck pain.

 

Revamp your bedtime routine

Before climbing into bed at night, do a few stretching exercises to help your muscles relax. These exercises are specifically designed to help ease neck pain and loosen neck muscles.

  • Corner Stretch
    Stand in the corner of your bedroom, facing the wall. Put your forearms on either wall, with your elbows below your shoulders. Begin to lean forward until you can feel the muscles in your chest begin to stretch. Stay in this stretch for up to one minute then return to your starting position.
  • Scapula Stretch
    In your bedroom doorway, raise your arm until your elbow is level with your shoulder. Lightly rest your raised elbow on the doorway. Lower your chin towards your collarbone of the opposite side until you feel the muscles in your neck begin to stretch. Remain in the stretch for up to 30 seconds then repeat on the other side.
  • Lateral Flexion
    In a standing position, look straight ahead. Tilt your head to the side (moving your ear in the direction of your shoulder) until you can feel the muscles in the side of your neck begin to stretch. Slowly return your head to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
  • Flexion Stretch
    You can either sit cross-legged or stand for this exercise. Looking straight ahead, begin to move your chin towards your chest until you feel the muscles in the back of your neck begin to stretch. Hold for approximately 10 seconds and then return to a normal position. Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Make sleep a priority

Wake up and go to bed on a schedule. Setting a sleep pattern will help your body learn to relax and can improve the quality of your sleep.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the evening. Skip the after-dinner coffee to ensure you are ready to drift off to dreamland when it’s bedtime.

Exercise regularly

An exercise routine can not only help you become more physically fit, it will help you sleep better. Exercising 3 times a week can give your sleep habits a boost.

Turn off the screen

When you head to bed, put your phone to bed as well. Leave the screen off until you wake up the next morning. Most people crane their necks at awkward angles when looking at their phone or tablet in bed, creating stress in your neck.   Not to mention, studies have shown that looking at screens before going to sleep can decrease your sleep quality.

Are you struggling with neck pain after sleeping? It may be time to seek medical help. Our comprehensive treatment programs can help you recover from neck pain and wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Call today!

8 Adjustments to Help Give You Restful Sleep – Cleveland Clinic

Ahhhh, sleep. It’s the best — unless you know you’re going to wake up in pain. Then sleep becomes something you dread. The more pain you have, the harder it is to sleep. And wouldn’t you know it: Low-quality sleep leads to greater pain.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Could the cause of your back, neck or all-over morning pain have
a simple explanation?

“When you move, the tissue surrounding your joints secretes a fluid that lubricates your joints, allowing bones to move past one another easily,” says pain medicine specialist George Girgis, DO.

“During the day, you’re moving around, which keeps the fluid flowing. But the lack of movement at night can lead to inflammation, stiffness and pain come morning.”

First, rule out conditions that cause morning stiffness and pain

If you see a doctor for your pain, he or she will likely
want to do some simple screening tests to determine if immobility-induced
inflammation is what’s causing it. Your doctor will want to rule out other
conditions that cause inflammation of joints and tissues, such as:

  • A recent viral infection, like Lyme disease.
  • Thyroid disease.
  • Low levels of vitamin D.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.

If there isn’t an underlying condition causing your pain, it’s
time to take action.

8 strategies to help you get back to restful sleep

Update your sleep software. Sometimes you can achieve a great night’s sleep with a simple pillow adjustment. The right pillow correctly aligns the part of your spine that’s in your neck so that muscle tightness doesn’t occur when you sleep. Or you may need a new mattress. Consider a mattress an investment in your health. “We recommend a firm (but not TOO firm) mattress for the best-quality sleep,” Dr. Girgis says.

Switch up your diet. Avoid foods that promote inflammation. The Mediterranean diet, which features a lot of veggies, fruits, whole grains and seafood, may increase the antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.

Exercise (but don’t overdo it). Movement lubricates
joints, which keeps pain and stiffness at bay. Be careful though: Exercising
near bedtime or overtraining can lead to insomnia. “Shoot for 30 minutes a day,
five days a week,” Dr. Girgis says.

Take a vitamin D supplement. Your bones and muscles need vitamin D for optimal health. Most people don’t get enough vitamin D through their diet, so talk to your doctor about choosing a supplement or foods with added vitamin D.  

Try a new sleeping position. Sleeping on your stomach could be contributing to your morning pain. Instead, sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees to keep your spine in a neutral position. Alternatively, you can sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.

Keep your muscles supple. Inflammation can occur when muscle mass breaks down. Find ways to maintain your muscles — gym membership not required.

“Yoga is a great way to maintain muscle mass because you’re using your body weight to keep muscles healthy,” says Dr. Girgis. “Other options may include lifting a heavy cookbook as a weight or performing squats at your desk.”

Relieve stress. Exercise, yoga and massage relieve inflammation by increasing blood flow to your muscles. You can also incorporate mindfulness meditation, which has been clinically shown to change the way your brain processes pain. Over time, pain intensity decreases with meditation. To meditate, concentrate just on breathing. If your attention wanders, return your focus to your breathing or the sounds around you. Start with a minute and build up to more time.

Stub out cigarettes for good. There are so many reasons to quit smoking, but you can add pain relief to the list. “Smoking prevents oxygenated blood from reaching bones and tissues,” says Dr. Girgis. “It also limits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood, making the blood quality lower. The result is weakened muscles.”

Waking Up with Back Pain: Causes and Tips for Relief

Lower back pain is the most common type of musculoskeletal pain experienced by adults, with 84% of people experiencing it at least some point in their lives, and 23% experiencing it on a chronic basis.

Some mild back pain in the morning is not unusual. In many cases, you can chalk it up to the normal stiffness you feel after staying in one position for several hours.

But, if you are still feeling pain after you have gotten out of bed and started to move around, there may be something specific causing your back pain. It could be an underlying medical condition, an inadequate mattress, or even your sleep position.

Why Does My Back Hurt When I Wake Up?

There are a number of potential causes for lower back pain in the morning. Here are some of the most common.

Unsupportive Sleep Position

If you feel lower back pain every morning after sleeping, your sleep position could be at fault. Sleeping in an unsupportive position can increase pressure on your spine and lead to back pain.

When you sleep on your stomach, you are more likely to twist your neck out of alignment with the rest of your spine. Depending on the firmness of your mattress, your lower abdomen may also sink more deeply than the rest of your spine, uncomfortably stretching your back out of alignment. Either way, this sleep position could put you at a higher risk of lower back pain upon waking up. To prevent this misalignment, it may help to try sleeping on your stomach without a head pillow, and by placing a thin pillow beneath your lower abdomen.

Back sleeping makes it easier to keep your spine straight, but can still lead to back pain if you do not support your spine’s natural curvature. One study found this sleep position actually doubles your risk of lower back pain. To lower your risk and prevent discomfort, consider placing a pillow beneath your knees.

Side sleeping is considered the best position for avoiding back pain. People who sleep on their side report fewer back pain symptoms, but it is still possible to press your spine out of alignment. You can prevent this by choosing a head pillow with a loft that matches the distance between your neck and your shoulder, and sleeping with a pillow between your knees to even out your hips.

Bad Mattress

Your sleep position can only do so much to relieve lower back pain in the morning if you are sleeping on an old, unsupportive mattress. If you have had your mattress for more than five years, it may be time to consider replacing it.

In one study, participants replaced their old mattresses, which averaged 9. 5 years old, with new ones. Over the following month, their sleep quality measurably improved each week, as did their back pain. Overall, medium firm mattresses reduced back pain symptoms by nearly half.

Even if your mattress is relatively new, it may just not be not a good fit for you or your sleep position. It could be too firm or too soft to provide adequate support. In general, medium firm mattresses tend to reduce lower back pain more effectively than firm mattresses do.

Pregnancy

Back pain is common during pregnancy. While it typically begins between the second and third trimesters, it can start as early as during the first four weeks. For some that are pregnant, their back pain worsens during sleep and can cause them to wake up. However, this type of back pain tends to resolve after birth.

During the pregnancy, placing a warm compress on the back can provide relief for lower back pain, as can regular stretching. When getting into and out of bed, using your leg strength instead of your back muscles to help you stand up can help prevent straining your lower back.

Sleeping on the left side with the knees bent is also recommended during pregnancy, to relieve discomfort and support fetal health. You can support your spine during sleep by placing pillows under your abdomen, between your legs, and against the small of your back.

Degenerative Disc Disease

More than 90% of adults over 60 have a degenerated disc. Degenerative disc disease can develop naturally with age, as the spinal discs between the vertebrae dry out and break down.

For some people, this process happens with minimal pain. For others, the pain can be intense and feel worse in the morning. Being overweight or obese can exacerbate disc degeneration and any associated lower back pain.

Treatment for degenerative disc disease may include pain medications, steroid injections, ice or heat therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, and wearing a back brace.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia affects up to 5% of people, with women being more at risk than men. The condition causes muscle pain, tension, and spasms throughout the body, including the back. Symptoms also include sleep problems, depression, and anxiety.

Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants and pain relievers to relieve symptoms. Therapies like massage, acupuncture, and physical therapy may also be recommended.

Other Causes of Lower Back Pain in the Morning

A number of other factors may contribute to lower back pain upon waking up. Lower back pain can be caused by other medical conditions and lifestyle factors such as:

  • Arthritis
  • Endometriosis
  • Kidney stones
  • Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression
  • Occupations that require heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling
  • Old age
  • Osteoporosis
  • Physical injury
  • Poor fitness
  • Smoking
  • Spinal cord problems like sciatica, spinal stenosis, or herniated disc
  • Stress
  • Tumors
  • Weight gain

Tips and Treatment for Morning Back Pain Relief

It is possible to sleep better with low back pain. You may want to consider making a few changes to your routine in order to relieve your lower back pain in the morning and start your day off more comfortably.

Change Up Your Sleep Position or Mattress

Switching to a more supportive sleep position can reduce lower back pain. Also consider how you can use pillows — or invest in a new mattress — to support better spinal alignment and relieve lower back pain.

Research suggests medium firm mattresses are the best mattresses for back pain. In one study of people with low back pain, those who slept on medium firm mattresses reported lower pain scores both during sleep and upon getting up in the morning.

Do Morning Stretches in Bed

Simple stretching exercises can relieve back pain, and there are stretches you can do before you get out of bed.

For example, you can lie on your back and do a full-body stretch when you first wake up. For this exercise, stretch your arms and hands above your head as far as you can, with your legs and feet stretching in the opposite direction. Hold for a few seconds before releasing.

It may also help to stretch out your lower back. To do this, you can bring your knees into your chest and hold, wrapping your arms around them. Then gently rock from side to side.

Take It Slow When Getting Up

Taking it slow when you get out of bed can be beneficial. You may want to use your arms to sit up slowly before moving your legs off the side of the bed. Once you plant your feet on the ground, shoulder-width apart, you can stand up slowly, using your leg strength instead of your back to help you up.

After carefully standing, you can further relieve tension by reaching your arms up above your head and stretching slowly from side to side.

Stretch Some More

A few more stretches can further relieve tension in the lower back and help you prepare for the day.

Plank

A plank increases your core strength, creating a protective effect for your spine. With a stronger core, your body can use more of your abdominal muscles instead of your back, leading to less strain and injury throughout the day.

To do a plank, you will need to lie on the floor facedown. You can then push yourself up onto your toes and your forearms. Make sure that your elbows are directly beneath your shoulders and your forearms and elbows are in line with your wrists. Keep your head facing down, with your neck in alignment with the rest of your spine. It is important to keep your spine straight, without letting your abdomen sink too far down or up. You can prevent straining your back by squeezing your abs, your glutes, and your thighs. For best results, hold this pose for 30 to 60 seconds.

Baby Cobra

Research shows that yoga can help manage recurring lower back pain. When you are experiencing lower back pain, a baby cobra pose can help stretch your back and relieve tension.

To try this pose, lie on your stomach on the floor, with your palms facing down underneath your shoulders, and your elbows and forearms close to the body. Slowly push yourself up using your arm strength, with your head facing forward and your neck straight. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds, then lower down.

Chair Pose

Chair pose is another yoga pose that might help. Stand up with your legs shoulder-width apart and your toes facing forward. Then, squat down like you are sitting into a chair. Keep your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, with the goal of keeping them over your heels instead of your toes. Hold for a few seconds, then stand back up.

Exercise Daily

Daily exercise can help keep your body limber. It also improves your sleep quality. A simple form of exercise, like walking, can be beneficial for reducing pain and improving sleep quality.

Stay Active Throughout the Day

If you sit for long periods of time at your work, make sure to stand up, stretch, and walk around every 30 minutes or so. If your desk chair is not supportive, place a pillow or rolled towel behind your back for lumbar support, and let your feet rest on a footstool.

Talk to Your Doctor

If your lower back pain is so severe that it interferes with your daily life, or if you start to notice other symptoms, talk to your doctor. They may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, muscle relaxants, or topical creams and gels to relieve your back pain. Always consult your doctor before taking any medications, since they know your medical history and can inform you of any potential side effects.

Lower back pain in the morning is a common experience. Many people find relief with a few lifestyle changes. If your pain persists, your doctor can recommend additional treatment options.

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Neck Problems and Injuries | HealthLink BC

Do you have a neck injury or other neck problem?

Yes

Neck problem or injury

How old are you?

Less than 5 years

Less than 5 years

5 years or older

5 years or older

Are you male or female?

Why do we ask this question?

The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.

  • If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
  • If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
  • If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as “male” and once as “female”). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.

Have you had surgery on your neck in the past month?

Yes

Neck surgery in the past month

No

Neck surgery in the past month

Have you had a major trauma in the past 2 to 3 hours?

Yes

Major trauma in past 2 to 3 hours

No

Major trauma in past 2 to 3 hours

Do you have any numbness, tingling, or weakness or any moderate to severe pain that started after the trauma?

Yes

Symptoms after major trauma

No

Symptoms after major trauma

Have you had a neck injury in the past month?

Yes

Neck injury in the past month

No

Neck injury in the past month

Are you having trouble moving your neck or either arm normally?

Yes

Difficulty moving neck or arm

No

Difficulty moving neck or arm

Are you able to move your arm or hand?

Yes

Able to move arm or hand

No

Unable to move arm or hand

Have you had trouble moving your neck or arm for more than 2 days?

Yes

Difficulty moving neck or arm for more than 2 days

No

Difficulty moving neck or arm for more than 2 days

Do you have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or hands?

Weakness is being unable to use the arm or hand normally no matter how hard you try. Pain or swelling may make it hard to move, but this is not the same as weakness.

Yes

Numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms or hands

No

Numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms or hands

Did the numbness and weakness start right after the injury?

Yes

Numbness and weakness began immediately after injury

No

Numbness and weakness began immediately after injury

Have the symptoms lasted for more than an hour?

Yes

Numbness, tingling, or weakness for more than 1 hour

No

Numbness, tingling, or weakness for more than 1 hour

Do you have a deep wound in your head or neck?

This is more than a minor cut. This type of injury usually is caused by an object going through all the layers of skin to the tissue beneath.

Yes

Deep wound to head or neck

No

Deep wound to head or neck

Has sudden, severe weakness or severe numbness affected the whole arm or the whole hand?

Weakness is being unable to use the arm or hand normally, no matter how hard you try. Pain or swelling may make it hard to move, but that is not the same as weakness.

Yes

Severe or sudden numbness or weakness in the whole arm or hand

No

Severe or sudden numbness or weakness in the whole arm or hand

Do you have trouble moving your neck?

Yes

Difficulty moving neck

Is it very hard to move or somewhat hard to move?

“Very hard” means you can’t move it at all in any direction without causing severe pain. “Somewhat hard” means you can move it at least a little, though you may have some pain when you do it.

Very hard

Very hard to move

Somewhat hard

Somewhat hard to move

How long have you had trouble moving your neck?

Less than 2 days

Difficulty moving neck for less than 2 days

2 days to 2 weeks

Difficulty moving neck for 2 days to 2 weeks

More than 2 weeks

Difficulty moving neck for more than 2 week

Has the loss of movement been:

Getting worse?

Difficulty moving is getting worse

Staying about the same (not better or worse)?

Difficulty moving is unchanged

Getting better?

Difficulty moving is improving

Are you having trouble breathing (more than a stuffy nose)?

Yes

Difficulty breathing more than a stuffy nose

No

Difficulty breathing more than a stuffy nose

Is your ability to breathe quickly getting worse?

Yes

Breathing problems are quickly worsening

No

Breathing problems are quickly worsening

Do you have any swelling or a lump in your neck?

Yes

Swelling or lump in neck

No

Swelling or lump in neck

Is it quickly getting worse?

Yes

Lump or swelling in neck is rapidly increasing

No

Lump or swelling in neck is rapidly increasing

Are you hoarse or having trouble swallowing?

Yes

Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness

No

Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness

Has the pain:

Gotten worse?

Pain is increasing

Stayed about the same (not better or worse)?

Pain is unchanged

Gotten better?

Pain is improving

Do you have any neck pain?

How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine?

8 to 10: Severe pain

Severe pain

5 to 7: Moderate pain

Moderate pain

1 to 4: Mild pain

Mild pain

How long has the pain lasted?

Less than 2 full days (48 hours)

Pain less than 2 days

2 days to 2 weeks

Pain 2 days to 2 weeks

More than 2 weeks

Pain more than 2 weeks

Has the pain:

Gotten worse?

Pain is getting worse

Stayed about the same (not better or worse)?

Pain is unchanged

Gotten better?

Pain is getting better

Do you think that the neck problem may have been caused by abuse?

Yes

Neck problem may have been caused by abuse

No

Neck problem may have been caused by abuse

Do you think you may have a fever?

How long have you had neck symptoms?

Less than 1 week

Symptoms for less than 1 week

1 to 2 weeks

Symptoms for 1 to 2 weeks

More than 2 weeks

Symptoms for more than 2 weeks

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

  • Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
  • Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
  • Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
  • Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
  • Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Try Home Treatment

You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.

  • Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
  • Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.

Pain in children under 3 years

It can be hard to tell how much pain a baby or toddler is in.

  • Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that the baby cannot sleep, cannot get comfortable, and cries constantly no matter what you do. The baby may kick, make fists, or grimace.
  • Moderate pain (5 to 7): The baby is very fussy, clings to you a lot, and may have trouble sleeping but responds when you try to comfort him or her.
  • Mild pain (1 to 4): The baby is a little fussy and clings to you a little but responds when you try to comfort him or her.

Pain in children 3 years and older

  • Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that the child can’t stand it for more than a few hours, can’t sleep, and can’t do anything else except focus on the pain. No one can tolerate severe pain for more than a few hours.
  • Moderate pain (5 to 7): The pain is bad enough to disrupt the child’s normal activities and sleep, but the child can tolerate it for hours or days.
  • Mild pain (1 to 4): The child notices and may complain of the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt his or her sleep or activities.

Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:

  • You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk (mild difficulty breathing), or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all (severe difficulty breathing).
  • It may be getting hard to breathe with activity (mild difficulty breathing), or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you’re at rest (severe difficulty breathing).

Severe trouble breathing means:

  • You cannot talk at all.
  • You have to work very hard to breathe.
  • You feel like you can’t get enough air.
  • You do not feel alert or cannot think clearly.

Moderate trouble breathing means:

  • It’s hard to talk in full sentences.
  • It’s hard to breathe with activity.

Mild trouble breathing means:

  • You feel a little out of breath but can still talk.
  • It’s becoming hard to breathe with activity.

Severe trouble breathing means:

  • The child cannot eat or talk because he or she is breathing so hard.
  • The child’s nostrils are flaring and the belly is moving in and out with every breath.
  • The child seems to be tiring out.
  • The child seems very sleepy or confused.

Moderate trouble breathing means:

  • The child is breathing a lot faster than usual.
  • The child has to take breaks from eating or talking to breathe.
  • The nostrils flare or the belly moves in and out at times when the child breathes.

Mild trouble breathing means:

  • The child is breathing a little faster than usual.
  • The child seems a little out of breath but can still eat or talk.

Pain in adults and older children

  • Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that you can’t stand it for more than a few hours, can’t sleep, and can’t do anything else except focus on the pain.
  • Moderate pain (5 to 7): The pain is bad enough to disrupt your normal activities and your sleep, but you can tolerate it for hours or days. Moderate can also mean pain that comes and goes even if it’s severe when it’s there.
  • Mild pain (1 to 4): You notice the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt your sleep or activities.

Major trauma is any event that can cause very serious injury, such as:

  • A fall from more than 3.1 m (10 ft)[more than 1.5 m (5 ft) for children under 2 years and adults over 65].
  • A car crash in which any vehicle involved was going more than 32 km (20 miles) per hour.
  • Any event that causes severe bleeding that you cannot control.
  • Any event forceful enough to badly break a large bone (like an arm bone or leg bone).

Symptoms of serious illness may include:

  • A severe headache.
  • A stiff neck.
  • Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert.
  • Extreme fatigue (to the point where it’s hard for you to function).
  • Shaking chills.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include:

  • Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
  • Sweating.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.
  • Light-headedness or sudden weakness.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.

For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.

Call 911 Now

Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Call 911 or other emergency services now.

Sometimes people don’t want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren’t serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.

Seek Care Now

Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.

  • Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
  • If you cannot reach your doctor or you don’t have one, seek care in the next hour.
  • You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
    • You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
    • You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.

Call 911 Now

Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Call 911 or other emergency services now.

Do not move the person unless there is an immediate threat to the person’s life, such as a fire. If you have to move the person, keep the head and neck supported and in a straight line at all times. If the person may have a spinal injury from diving into the water and is still in the water, float the person face up in the water.

Sometimes people don’t want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren’t serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.

Seek Care Today

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

  • Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
  • If you cannot reach your doctor or you don’t have one, seek care today.
  • If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
  • If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.

Make an Appointment

Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

  • Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
  • If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
  • If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.

Call 911 Now

Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Call 911 or other emergency services now.

After you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength (325 mg) or 2 to 4 low-dose (81 mg) aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself.

Sometimes people don’t want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren’t serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.

Post-Operative Problems

Help! I Woke Up & Can’t Move My Neck! – Beyond

By Dr Victoria Chambers (Osteopath)

It’s happened again! You’ve woken up and can’t move your neck. Maybe it came on slowly. You noticed your neck getting tighter over the last couple of weeks. You asked your partner for a shoulder rub and it felt better for an hour or so.  Or maybe you were fine, but in the middle of the night you felt something sharp and then the pain gradually got worse. You took some medication and maybe it helped a little, maybe it got you back to sleep or maybe you lay awake, wondering what was going on.

Either way, now it’s morning, you’ve woken up and you cannot look left or right without turning your whole body and you have intense pain in your neck and shoulders.

Maybe you’ve had this before. Maybe it happens a couple of times a year, maybe more. Maybe this is the first time. Regardless, it can be scary and incredibly intense to experience.

In this blog, I’m going to cover some of the reasons this can occur, what could potentially be going on, some strategies to manage it in the moment and also some long term preventative measures. So take a seat, grab a heat pack and let’s talk about acute neck pain.

What’s causing the pain?

It’s important to say up top, that every person is different and while many people present with the symptoms and diagnoses discussed in this blog, it’s always important to seek help from a medical professional for any acute pain. This is particularly important if you have any accompanying symptoms, such as pins & needles, numbness or an intense and specifically located headache.

That being said, in many cases, there are two or three culprits which usually cause this kind of intense pain; facet joints, ribs & muscular spasm. The first two are the more likely suspects, but occasionally an intense muscular spasm can cause a similar sensation. I will discuss the first two in more detail. 

Facet joints

Facet joints are the joints which are responsible for all of the movement in your spine. Each vertebrae in your spine has a top and a bottom bony process called a facet which articulates with the facet of the vertebrae above and below. They slide and glide over one another to create spinal motion. 

These joints can be irritated, over-stretched, or even sprained, just like you can sprain an ankle, a finger or your wrist. The trouble is that your brain tends to react a little more to a sprain in your neck or elsewhere in your spinal column. A sprain in your neck is a sign of danger for your brain and so it often sends the muscles around the affected joint into spasm and sends down intense pain signals into the area. The muscle spasm in conjunction with the pain from the facet joint usually means a dull ache through the whole area at rest, and a sharp pain with most neck and sometimes shoulder movements.

The worst movements for sore facet joints tend to be rotating or side-bending to one side more than the other and extension or looking up towards the ceiling. That being said, when your brain is in protection mode, most movements cause quite a lot of pain.

Ribs

“Ribs! That high!” This is what I most commonly hear from my patients when we’re talking about neck pain, but yes, it’s true – your first rib sits right at the base of your neck and rib dysfunction can affect movements in your neck.

Each rib is attached to its corresponding vertebrae via two joints; the costotransverse and costovertebral joints. In the same way that facet joints can irritated, overstretched or sprained, so too can these spinal-rib articulations.

When a rib is the culprit in your neck pain, you’ll usually feel quite a lot of pain at the deepest point of your inspiratory breath and pain may radiate down the inside of your shoulder blade. You may also have trouble lifting your arms up above your head because of referred pain in your neck and shoulder.

Why is this happening!

There are many varied reasons why these sprains & strains occur. It can be a gradual build up over time; long periods at a desk coupled with a stressful period or sleeping on an unsuitable pillow for an extended period of time could be some of the many reasons for this type of pain.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, facet & rib joint pain also can tend to follow a quick jerking movements such as a quick head turn or a restless night with tossing & turning. This type of pain can also be associated with a history of whiplash or cervical spine trauma. For ribs specifically, in my clinical practice I have found that a period of lifting outside of someone’s normal habits (i.e. moving house), can be a precursor for rib pain. 

If you are someone who experiences this pain repeatedly, talk to your healthcare professional about some of your habits, your work ergonomics, sleeping habits etc, because there may be some easy changes that you can make to help to prevent this pain from occurring again in the future.

What do I do now?

If you have never had this pain before and are unsure, you should of course, seek help from a medical professional. However, as a general rule, this type of pain responds well to gentle, controlled, small, (relatively) pain free movement and heat – meaning heat packs or a warm shower.  

You may find that there are some movements that you cannot do i.e. looking over your left shoulder, but if you can turn your head a little to the right, then gently and slowly move in and out of that range and see if you can gain a little more movement as you continue to do the movement for 4-5 rotations.   You can also test gently dropping your ear to you shoulder and dropping your chin to your chest to see how much movement you have. You may experience some discomfort, but as long as it is easily manageable, it is okay. You should stop if you experience any intense pain. Any quick movements will generally elicit pain, so try to avoid these as much as you can.

Try to avoid lifting anything heavy that may place strain on your neck. You should also resist the urge to hold yourself and your neck rigid. Despite it feeling like the best strategy, if you can try to work on relaxing your shoulders and neck, you will find that it will be better in the long run.

Another great strategy is using a spikey ball through your shoulders and back as per the two below videos. Work through each spot for 1-2 minutes with enough pressure to feel a release, but not so much as to cause major discomfort.

Upper trap release

Rhomboid release

You can also speak to your pharmacist about appropriate pain management.  

Finally, seek treatment from your healthcare professional who may be able to help settle down some of the muscle spasm and provide pain relief. If in doubt, you can always call and ask to chat to someone about what you’re feeling. We’re always here to help!

Long-term preventative measures

As I mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to help to prevent this kind of episode is to look at some potential causative factors, such as your desk set up, your pillow/mattress, sleeping and postural habits.

Something else to consider is movement. Bodies love movement and we often do not do enough of it. Often we find that those who experience neck pain have other musculoskeletal imbalances in their body which could be contributing to their pain and discomfort. You may be stiff through your mid-back, or maybe you are someone who habitually elevates your shoulders when you’re stressed.  We find that some of the best preventative measures for neck pain is exercise targeting specific strength and mobility work. For many of my patients, pilates or exercise physiology has proved to be extremely helpful in aiding in preventing their acute neck pain.

 References:

  1.     Facet Joints of the Spine: Structure–Function Relationships, Problems and Treatments, and the Potential for Regeneration; Siobhan A. O’Leary, Nikolaos K. Paschos, Jarrett M. Link, Eric O. Klineberg, Jerry C. Hu, Kyriacos A. Athanasiou., Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering 2018 20:1, 145-170
  2.     Gellhorn, A. C., Katz, J. N., & Suri, P. (2013, November 13). Osteoarthritis of the spine: The facet joints. Nature Reviews. Rheumatology, 9(4), 216–224. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4012322/
  3.     Kahn, S., Xu, R., Musculoskeletal Sports & Spine Disorders: A Comprehensive Guide., Springer, Feb 2018
  4.     Christensen et al., 2017a, S.W. Christensen, R.P. Hirata, T. Graven?Nielsen, Altered pain sensitivity and axioscapular muscle activity in neck pain patients compared with healthy controls, Eur. J. Pain, 21 (2017), pp. 1763-1771
  5.     Origin of neck pain and direction of movement influence dynamic cervical joint motion and pressure pain sensitivity., Qu, Ning et al.., Clinical Biomechanics, Volume 61, 120 – 128

Remedies for a Stiff Neck, Ways to Manage Muscle Stiffness, and When to See Your Doctor

The phrase “pain in the neck” is funny and sometimes accurate. A stiff neck is a common problem, affecting about 10% of the population at any given time. There are many reasons for neck pain, making it difficult to determine the exact cause. 

If you wake up with a stiff neck, you’re likely experiencing a muscle spasm, or contraction. That’s known as a muscle strain. A neck sprain affects the ligaments, or tough tissues that connect and stabilize your bones. Tendinitis — inflammation in the tissue that attaches muscle to bone and controls movement — is another contributing factor for neck pain. 

Symptoms of a stiff neck include:

  • Tight muscles or muscle spasms
  • Inability to move your head, or a decreased range of motion
  • Pain that continues to get worse when you hold your head in one position for a long time

A headache that won’t go away 

Remedies and Treatments for Neck Stiffness

At-home remedies will usually help with the majority of early-stage neck stiffness:

  • Apply an ice pack to numb the area and soothe inflamed muscles.
  • Take an over-the-counter painkiller, like Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve.
  • After a day or two, apply a heating pad or warm compress.

During the next few days, take these precautions:

  • Be aware of your movements. Try not to jerk your head quickly or twist your neck. This can cause inflammation. 
  • Try gentle stretches, moving the head back and forth, then up and down.
  • Ask a friend or partner to massage the sore area.
  • Wear a neck collar for a few hours to rest stiff neck muscles.
  • Sleep without a pillow, or use one that’s specifically designed to support the neck. 

It’s possible to prevent a stiff neck. The majority of neck pain is a combination of bad posture, injury, or general wear and tear as you age. If you experience neck stiffness often, try making some simple adjustments:

Watch Your Posture

Shoulders should be in a straight line over your hips. Ears should be in line with your shoulders.  

Adjust Desk Furniture 

Your computer should be level with your eyes. Consider raising or lowering your desk monitor or laptop. When you sit, adjust your chair to ensure the knees fall slightly below the hips. 

Use Headphones or Speakerphones

If you hold your phone between your ears and shoulder, or look down to text, you’re putting the neck in an awkward position that could cause muscle strain. Wear headphones or use your speakerphone instead. 

Take Frequent Breaks 

Sitting in the car or at your desk can take a toll on your body. Get up every hour, move around, and do some light stretching. 

Switch Shoulders

If you carry heavy bags, make sure the weight is evenly distributed between both sides of the body. Excess weight can lead to neck strain. 

Find a Supportive Way to Sleep

The head should be aligned with the body. Try placing a small pillow underneath your neck. It may help to sleep on your back and place extra pillows underneath the thighs to align the muscles in your spine.

When to See a Doctor

A stiff neck usually improves over a few days with at-home remedies. Sometimes neck pain is a symptom of a bigger health problem, although this is rare. See a doctor if: 

  • The pain is severe.
  • Neck soreness or stiffness doesn’t go away after several days.
  • Pain or stiffness travels down the arms or legs.
  • You have a bad headache and notice numbness, weakness, or a tingling sensation.
  • You’ve recently suffered an injury — from a car accident or a fall, for example. 

Neck Pain in Children 

A stiff neck isn’t just something that happens to adults. Children also experience neck soreness and pain. At-home remedies like ice packs, massage, neck stretches, and over-the-counter painkillers are also helpful for your kids. Make an appointment with your doctor or pediatrician if your child: 

  • Has an injury or has recently experienced head or neck trauma
  • Is overly tired 
  • Was bitten by a tick 
  • Has a skin rash, headache, or flu-like symptoms
  • Is nauseous or vomiting
  • Is fussy or cranky
  • Is an infant and is having problems nursing or sucking a bottle

Neck pain after sleep

Due to the fact that the neck hurts after sleep, the quality of rest decreases, and a feeling of weakness appears. This condition occurs for several reasons, among which there are serious pathologies. Therefore, in some cases, you need to see a doctor with symptoms.

Causes of the condition

When the neck hurts after the night, many associate it with an uncomfortable sleeping position, poor-quality, inappropriate pillows. The condition can also be affected by the mattress.It is better to choose orthopedic products that follow the shape of the body.

But not always the reason why the neck hurts after sleep is in bedding. This may be a symptom of osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia. Lying down, there is pressure on the roots of the spinal cord, which provokes discomfort upon awakening. This disease is quite serious. The earlier treatment is started, the higher the chances of a successful completion. Therefore, if replacing the pillow and mattress did not give the expected effect, you should consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

Diagnostics

Determine why the neck hurts after a night’s rest, the doctor can during an internal examination. He will collect anamnesis, establish the relationship between sleep and discomfort, or eliminate it. Then palpation is performed, that is, manual examination. Based on the results, the specialist makes a preliminary conclusion.

Diagnosis is confirmed by radiography. The picture shows damage to the vertebrae, discs. So you can find osteochondrosis, a hernia of the cervical spine.The choice of therapy tactics depends on the type of disease, its stage, and the person’s condition.

How to relieve neck pain after sleep

How to deal with unpleasant sensations depends on the cause of their occurrence. In some cases, changing the bedding is enough to make you sleep well and get up easily in the morning.

If the pain in the neck area has been bothering you for a long time, and the patient has an intervertebral hernia or osteochondrosis, the treatment will take more time and effort. At the same time, you cannot simply drown out the sensations with pills. This can only be a temporary measure to support the patient and alleviate the condition.

It is possible to cure a person with the help of physiotherapy. For this, the technique of underwater traction of the spine is used. The method was known in antiquity, but modern scientists have improved it. Underwater treatment helps reduce stress on joints and vertebrae. In this case, the patient himself controls the strength, duration of exposure, as he holds a special button in his hands. This largely provides psychological comfort during the procedure.

After the course of therapy, the pain will disappear, a feeling of ease of movement will appear. Wake up with joy after treatment at the Doctor Vervonkov clinic.

Neck pain after sleeping on anatomical pillow

We hope that this did not happen to you or to your loved ones. You just read reviews on the web. And they are not always positive. How to be? Everyone wants to feel refreshed after sleep. Keep up with everything, generate, enjoy life! You have noticed that if you get enough sleep, the day seems to stretch out, and things are arguing.Toss and turn, wake up? The result is a day down the drain.

Bad Morning Or When Your Head Is Broken

“There are no trifles in the issue of health,” says a forum member on a portal about healthy lifestyles. – Regime, nutrition, proper sleep … In a word, after reading magazines and watching the program with Elena Malysheva, I decided that I just needed an anatomical pillow.

The thoughts are logical, the mood is understandable. But then the woman tells how she lost her purchase.I decided to save money and ordered a novelty in an unfamiliar online store. She complained that she had headaches and neck pains after sleeping.

And, indeed, it happens. Unpleasant sensations may appear if, for example, the product for sleeping is not picked up correctly. There are subtleties, and we will talk about them a little later.

It can hurt for other reasons. Well, let’s say you have spinal problems or other ailments. Neck and head pain are common symptoms.By the way, a popular question: will the anatomical models of pillows help if you suffer from osteochondrosis? Experts differ in their opinions. So be sure to check with your doctor!

It’s all about …

Remember your most interesting dream? Maybe you flew or traveled in it. Maybe they returned to childhood: the old courtyard, friends, swing … In what position did you open your eyes? Each of us has our own favorite sleeping position. Someone needs to lie down in the “sun”, another to curl up.

How does all this relate to physiology and health? The correct sleeping position is crucial! It depends on her how healthy your sleep is. The natural position of the spine is what we need to feel our best. And on the pillow, a lush, high cervical region is strongly curved.

You will not feel any discomfort in a dream. Well, you are used to sleeping like that. But the lack of oxygen due to disturbed blood flow and muscle tension, which should not be present during a night’s rest, will eventually result in headaches, dizziness, insomnia … In general, you do not need this.That is why the correct choice of anatomical pillow is so important.

“Assorted” for sweet sleep

The choice of anatomical pillows is huge. They are distinguished by height, size, filler, shape. And, of course, the destination:

  • adult
  • lactating and pregnant women 90,058

  • children
  • rest and travel (under the neck, back, legs, etc.)

Listening to your body, you should also choose the material from which the product is made.There are natural and artificial fillers. All of them are safe: hypoallergenic, non-toxic, hygienic. If we are talking, of course, about a quality product. Be vigilant and beware of counterfeits!

A real and properly chosen pillow will ensure you a sound and restful sleep. She will give comfort. After all, it is punched just enough so that the spine takes an anatomically correct shape.

Choose so choose

Now about what you need to consider when choosing.In order not to complain later that the neck hurts after the anatomical pillow or that the head constantly hurts.

So, head position. The shoulders only touch the edge of the pillow, only the neck and head are located on it. If the model has a roller and its height matches your shoulder, everything is in order.

A few more “secrets” that everyone should know. The ideal bedding width to which we have dedicated this article is equal to the width of your shoulders. Then it will be as comfortable as possible to sleep.

Determining the rigidity, experts advise focusing on your favorite position. Softer should be chosen for sleeping on the stomach, medium hard – on the back and hard – for those who like to watch dreams on their side.

Tips and signs

And finally, a few theses that may be useful to you:

  • rely only on trusted manufacturers
  • lie on a pillow before buying it
  • if you want to put your palm under your cheek or put your hand under the pillow – the height is not yours
  • good head support during sleep will save you from premature wrinkles
  • if you sleep a lot and don’t get enough sleep – it’s time to change your night companion!

Choosing an anatomical pillow is not easy at all. But if you approach this issue with all responsibility, you will be charged daily to the maximum. And you can forget about the pain in the cervical spine. Your spine will be happy! And the body will respond with great health!

Blown neck, hurts: What to do, how to treat?

Yesterday you walked and enjoyed life, but today you lie at home and cannot turn your head, your neck hurts so much that you do not need anything in this life except getting rid of the suffering that has fallen down.This often happens. In the summer the air conditioners are to blame, and in the fall it can be blown out on the street. Professor of the Department of Internal Diseases of KazNMU named after Asfendiyarov, therapist of the highest category, Candidate of Medical Sciences Sholpan Zhangelova told the zakon.kz correspondent about the nuances that will help to quickly heal the neck and not endanger it in the future.

– What is the reason that people have neck blows and then it hurts?

– The neck begins to ache not from what blew it out, but from excessive muscle contraction as a reaction to cold or overstrain. A draft indoors or a cold wind outside does not cause illness. These are just factors that provoke manifestations of an already existing problem in a person.

Of course, it happens that a healthy person also sits motionless for a long time at a computer, laptop with a strained neck, or after physical overstrain, even a small draft can increase muscle spasm. This will cause myositis, that is, muscle inflammation, or neuralgia.

People usually talk about osteochondrosis, but this is a disease dependent on various factors.Moreover, in Europe, neuropathologists say that osteochondrosis is not a disease, but a way of life, that is, a person’s retribution for an inactive lifestyle.

– What are the main symptoms of myositis?

– Sharp pain in the neck, often after waking up, in the morning, worse with movement or pressure, it is very difficult to turn the head, tilt it, discomfort appears in the neck when chewing.

Often the pain in the neck radiates to the shoulders, shoulder blades, ears, temples, head, it hurts to touch the hair and comb it.

The appearance of general weakness, slight chills and a slight increase in body temperature is possible.

– How to treat this ailment? Do I have to see a doctor if I have blown my neck?

– You do not need to see a doctor in the first 2-3 days. Any anti-inflammatory anesthetic ointment will help to get rid of unpleasant sensations, it is important to give the neck rest, do not strain, wrap your neck with a warm scarf or put on a special soft “Shants collar”, it is sold in pharmacies and people who often suffer from neck pain already have it at home.

You can take a pill of paracetamol, ketonal, ibuprofen, diclofenac. You can start taking vitamins of group B, which have an analgesic effect.

But if after a couple of days the condition does not improve, or becomes worse, do not postpone the visit to the general practitioner. It is he who will tell you which specialist you need – more often a neuropathologist, less often a rheumatologist and even less often a neurosurgeon. After the examination, it is necessary to undergo the prescribed treatment for myositis, as a rule, a course of physiotherapy.

If the nerve endings entering the intervertebral foramen are inflamed, and the pain intensifies, “shooting” appears in the arm, head, the diagnosis will be different – neuritis, that is, nerve inflammation, it is also called radiculitis, which occurs with osteochondrosis. With intercostal neuralgia, nerve endings cause pain along the entire length of the spine, but most often in the thoracic region. The treatment is helped by injections of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac), as well as pain and swelling drugs.

– Are there people who are more vulnerable to drafts, air conditioners, who can often “blow their necks”?

– As a rule, these are people with chronic diseases (tonsillitis, otitis media), rheumatic diseases, who often have a cold with reduced immunity, or have atherosclerosis, anemia, that is, any disease that impairs blood flow and oxygen saturation. Prevention is the timely treatment of the underlying disease, adherence to the work and rest regimen, and the use of an orthopedic pillow during sleep.

– What other preventive measures could you advise them?

– Morning exercises and exercises for the neck can be done only during the period when there is no inflammation, to strengthen the ligaments and muscles of the back and neck.

Make sure that the air conditioner at work is not located in front of your workplace, it is better if it is higher, so that the air flows over the top and spreads evenly throughout the room. I recommend turning on the temperature on the air conditioner at the level of + 22 + 24 degrees, below it is undesirable, because the likelihood of imperceptible hypothermia increases significantly.

And, of course, wear a scarf, shawl, depending on the weather and general weather. Clothes should be warmer.

– Now, in the fall, how to find balance in your clothes, so as not to sweat and not freeze? Focus on street weather or indoor air temperature, transport?

– Of course, it is better to be guided by the weather outside. We go out, go to work, it is necessary that at this moment the person was comfortable – not hot and not chilly. It is advisable to dress in layers, that is, several things on top of each other at the same time – T-shirt / polo, blouse / shirt, jacket / jacket / sweatshirt on top, then outerwear for the weather (jacket / raincoat / coat).It is best to always wear a scarf or neckerchief. Instead of a scarf around your neck, you can use a jacket or sweater. This principle of clothing will allow us to always be ready for a change of weather, if it’s hot, you can take off some of the things. At work I always have a “duty” jacket, umbrella, scarf, shawl, which helps me out in case of a sharp change in weather.

– Is it possible to do a massage if the neck hurts due to blowing?

– You cannot do this in an acute period! Pain from myositis or osteochondrosis on the first day, as a rule, cannot be relieved with massage, compress, or rubbing with warming ointments.This is a mistake of many patients, because in this case, blood flow in this area increases, swelling increases, which compresses the nerve endings and leads to increased pain. But when the pain subsides, it is already possible from specialists in rehabilitation and prevention to receive a course of massage or to receive recommendations on performing therapeutic exercises for the prevention of these conditions.

– Does it happen that pain in the neck “radiates” to the hips, legs due to the interconnection of nerve endings?

– This should not be.It can rarely be in people with diseases of the spine, atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, but then there will be other symptoms. Usually, pain in the legs and hips is given when the lumbar or sacral spine is affected.

Albert Akhmetov

90,000 Forgetting neck pain by choosing the right orthopedic pillow

Nowadays, you can often hear complaints of back pain. Even if you are not the owner of this trouble, you should still take care of your back.It is very important to do this during sleep, because the spine is supposed to rest at night. At other times of the day he cannot do it.

For proper rest, as well as for the normal supply of oxygen to the brain tissues, the spine must be in the correct position during the night’s rest.

Orthopedic pillows can help with this, which are specially designed to take the correct position during sleep, providing support for the head and neck.Are you wondering: how to choose an orthopedic pillow for sleeping? In this article we will tell you how to do it correctly.

Why buy an orthopedic pillow

If you are one of those people who prefers to do without pillows while sleeping, then we should note that experts do not recommend this. This method of resting at night does not allow the muscles to relax and constricts blood vessels, as a result of which blood circulation deteriorates. The most optimal position for the spine is considered to be on the side.

When choosing an orthopedic product, it is important to understand that it will not cure you of back diseases. Its main task is to ensure proper rest for the spine, as well as to prevent the development of osteochondrosis. The special anatomical design of the pillow contributes to the achievement of this goal. Often these products are equipped with one or two rollers placed along their edges. The filling of the pillow should not be too soft, as it must fulfill its function – to support the head and neck.

Orthopedic pillows are used during the treatment of osteochondrosis. They have won positive reviews in this matter, as they are able to relieve the load on the spine, which helps to alleviate the pain syndrome. This allows the person suffering from this disease to have a good night’s rest.

Choosing an orthopedic pillow

When choosing such a product, first of all, you should pay attention to the height of the roller. It can vary from 8 to 14 centimeters in different models.To achieve the desired effect from the product, you need to choose the height that will be convenient for you, based on your personal preferences.

In order to correctly determine this parameter, you need to calculate it. And this can be done by measuring the width of the shoulder, drawing a visual line from the base of the neck to its edge. Let’s say you got 9 centimeters. It should be borne in mind that the shoulder pushes the mattress during sleep, so add 1-2 centimeters. The result is a height of 10-11 centimeters.One centimeter of difference can be tolerated.

For broad-shouldered people, the choice is a little more difficult. There may simply not be a model with a high roller on sale. In this case, you can buy an orthopedic pillow of medium height and put a terry towel under it.

You should also pay attention to the following points:

  • for those who like to sleep on their backs, a pillow should be chosen of medium hardness with a roller height of 8-10 centimeters;
  • if you prefer to sleep on your stomach, then a soft model with a small height is suitable for you;
  • if you sleep on a soft mattress, then the height of the roller should be increased by a couple of centimeters;
  • Does your neck hurt in the morning, and your shoulders seem to be wooden? means your mattress is too hard, and the pillow is too low;
  • Frequent waking and tossing and turning at night may indicate that the pillow is too high.

Form

Most often, orthopedic pillows are made of rectangular shape. This shape is classic, so you can put on ordinary pillowcases or special covers that come with the product. On the market today, you can find models of various shapes, such as rollers and half-bolsters, which can be placed under the head, lower back or legs, providing additional rest to these parts of the body.

Children’s orthopedic pillow deserves special attention.Before choosing it, you should definitely consult a doctor. After all, for example, if your child is just born, then such products can be recommended to him only in extreme cases. If the child is less than two years old, then it is preferable to choose inclined models. It is also worth paying attention to the material of the product. It must be hypoallergenic and well ventilated.

A small pillow height is recommended for children from three years old, and size is important for six or seven years old. The standard size is 40×60 centimeters.Many manufacturers of orthopedic pillows have special lines for children.

Material

Now on to the materials. The best options are usually made from natural materials, but there are also high-quality synthetic ones.

It is important to take into account that natural materials, such as down and feathers, can cause an allergic reaction, and synthetic materials only in case of individual intolerance. If you suffer from allergies, it is better to give preference to an orthopedic pillow with synthetic filling.

The best option is considered to be orthopedic pillows with contours and small seals under the neck. Such models contribute to the complete relaxation of the muscles of the neck and head, as well as ensure healthy sleep. These pillows are designed so that they can be shaped to suit the anatomical features of a particular person.

This maintains the correct position of the cervical vertebrae. This contributes to a good blood supply to the head, due to the fact that the vessels are not pinched.A morning without swelling and with a good complexion is guaranteed.

Today, there are various modifications of these products. In the middle price category, you can find pillows made of material with a memory effect. He is able to take the shape of the body, producing a reaction to heat and pressure. When the pressure disappears, the pillow slowly returns to its original form. Feels like it adjusts to the shape of the body. A pillow made of this material can be either soft or hard. It is made from polyurethane or a mixture of memory foam and latex.In its manufacture, synthetic materials often prevail.

The use of latex as a material for the manufacture of orthopedic pillows helps to relax the cervical vertebrae and relieve muscle tension. Its antibacterial properties help reduce the risk of allergic reactions and respiratory diseases. Natural latex retains all its properties and remains the same even when exposed to moisture for 20 years. Also, this material is non-toxic and does not contain radioactive elements.In addition, there are no medical contraindications in it.

Please be aware that memory foam pillows should not be washed. This will lead to the destruction of their structure. It will be enough to ventilate them well several times a year.

It should be noted that choosing a pillow is an individual process. Even the most expensive and high-quality product may not be to your liking. The pillow should suit you in all respects, and you should choose it solely based on your feelings and requirements for comfort.

You can buy an orthopedic pillow in stores that sell health products, or in those stores that have special departments. You can also buy this product in online stores, but there you will not be able to feel the pillow and examine it.

Mild discomfort may be present in the early days of using this item. This is due to the fact that the muscles need to get used to. After some time, they will take the correct position and the person will be able to enjoy a comfortable sleep.

You can argue for a long time about whether you need to purchase an orthopedic pillow or not, but getting one you can immediately feel all its advantages. A good pillow needs quality upholstered furniture. You can find one at dommino.ua.

Headache from osteochondrosis? Understanding

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is sometimes considered the cause of headache. Let’s see if this is so or not.

In general, such a disease as osteochondrosis does not exist.In Russia, this term refers to changes in the spine, which can be found on X-rays or tomography in every person after 20-25 years (often they are then still trying to treat dishonest citizens).

In other countries, the term “osteochondrosis” means something completely different: it is a disease in children and adolescents associated with cartilage ossification.

Can changes that are visible on an X-ray or MRI of the cervical spine (“osteochondrosis”) cause a headache? No.

Apart from whiplash injuries to the neck (it can happen, for example, in an accident when the car brakes sharply), there is only one type of headache, which is caused by the joints, ligaments and other structures of the upper spine.This pain is called cervicogenic (meaning it comes from the neck).

Cervicogenic headache is very rare. This diagnosis is made when headaches begin after physical impact on the cervical spine. For example, the head begins to ache after a person has thrown it back or sat for a long time in a motionless position. Or if the doctor, during the examination, pressed on the neck in the place of one of the joints or ligaments.

Fundamental point: the source of cervicogenic pain is only the joints or ligaments above the third cervical vertebra.Anything below this level cannot cause a headache! This is due to the anatomy of the nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, which just ends at the level of 2-3 cervical segments of the spinal cord.

The definitive diagnosis of “cervicogenic headache” is made if it stops after anesthetic blockade of these structures of the cervical spine.

But a frequent combination of neck pain and headache is a manifestation of migraine. This combination is common: up to 75% of patients with migraine experience neck pain at the onset of the attack.This leads to the misconception that neck pain is the cause of headaches. In fact, the opposite is true.

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90,000 Treatment for cracking and clicks in the neck in Kurkino and Khimki

Crunching and clicking in the neck (Instability in the cervical spine)

Do you feel a crunch or click in the neck area? Do you feel discomfort, up to the impossibility of turning your neck? Are these symptoms accompanied by pain? In no case should you close your eyes to them!

Experts at the Freedom of Movement Medical Center will help you determine the exact causes of cracking and clicking in your neck.If we are talking about instability in the cervical spine or any other pathology in this projection, treatment and prevention will be prescribed.

Instability in the cervical spine is a common pathology in which the patient has excessive mobility between the vertebrae. Often the problem is accompanied by a displacement of the vertebrae by several centimeters both forward and backward. It is the cervical spine that is considered one of the most mobile, and therefore the problem of instability is extremely acute here.

Causes of vertebral mobility

  • osteochondrosis;
  • 90,057 injuries;

  • overload against the background of physical work and sports;
  • sharp movements;
  • years old.

Symptoms of the condition

90,056

  • clicks and crunch in the neck;
  • headaches;
  • Muscle tension in the projection of the neck;
  • increased neck pain with physical activity;
  • pronounced muscle tone, that is, the neck is in constant tension;
  • increased fatigue;
  • dizziness;
  • high blood pressure;
  • weakness in the limbs;
  • Sleep disturbance and increased nervousness;
  • violation of coordination of movements.
  • This is important! Instability in the cervical spine enhances the dynamics of the development of osteochondrosis. If the pain is tolerated, it can lead to arthrosis of the intervertebral joints.

    Make an appointment

    Effective treatment of cervical instability, or how to deal with cracking and clicking in the neck?

    • massage;
    • manual therapy;
    • physiotherapy exercises to consolidate the result.

    An individual course of treatment is developed for each patient, depending on the stage, degree of displacement and dynamics of the development of instability.On average, after a couple of sessions, you will feel the first results!

    Appointment with a neurologist for crunching and clicks in the neck

    Neurologists at the Freedom of Movement Medical Center specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of vertebral instability. If you or your loved ones are worried about this problem, seek advice by phone: +7 (495) 212-08-81

    Specialists will help restore the stability of the spine, improve health and prevent recurrence of the disease in the future!

    90,000 Pain in the neck, back of the head and in the arm, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

    Pain in the neck, back of the head and in the arm, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

    Most people face problems in the form of neck pain in their lives.Most often, neck pain occurs in the muscles. The neck muscles (trapezius muscle, levator scapula muscle, scalene muscle), in addition to moving and holding the head, also participate in the work when the hand moves.

    Localization of typical muscle pain points in trauma (bruise) or chronic overload of muscles and ligaments of the neck.

    Acute neck pains are exclusively muscular in nature and may radiate (“give” or “shoot”) to the head from behind, to the forehead, to the eye, to the ear or shoulder with a pulling sensation or burning sensation in or under the scapula.At this stage, diagnostic errors are often made by the patients themselves or their doctors. A patient with acute muscle pain in the neck begins by himself or with the help of a doctor to undergo hardware diagnostics: X-ray of the cervical spine, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As a result, in addition to financial costs, the patient, through the fault of the doctor, receives unnecessary radiation exposure to the body.

    When such a patient with neck pain is found to have natural age-related or lifestyle-related structures of the spine in the images and tomograms (osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, straightening of cervical lordosis, spondylosis, uncovertebral arthrosis, protrusion or hernia of the intervertebral disc), there is a deviation from the understanding of the essence what is happening to the patient.Unfortunately, after that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, doctors skip and do not carry out further elementary diagnostics of the biomechanics of the cervical spine in a patient. Apparently they believe that the changes in the cervical spine detected by the apparatus are of paramount importance in the accurate diagnosis of the patient, and all other little things are already secondary.

    With this type of acute muscle pain in the neck, the patient just needs to be examined by our specialist, after which he will already be provided with the first adequate medical assistance aimed at relieving an acute pain attack.In this case, a patient with neck pain:

    • Receives an Accurate Diagnosis
    • avoids unreasonable diagnostic methods and the attendant financial and time costs
    • avoids unnecessary radiation exposure to your body
    • Receives Adequate Treatment for Acute Attack of Muscular Neck Pain
    • Receives further medical recommendations for rehabilitation after the relief of acute neck pain

    Also, pain in the neck, in the back of the head and in the hand can provoke an injured or inflamed intervertebral (facet) joint with its arthrosis.The neck hurts (muscles and ligaments) also after a long stay in one position (sedentary work), or after the “whiplash” mechanism of a neck injury. The appearance of a symptom of pain in the neck is facilitated by an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, tense and overloaded neck muscles, etc.

    With the whiplash mechanism, injury to the ligaments and muscles of the neck with a sharp nod of the head during a car accident or collision while skating, rollerblading, skiing or snowboarding, the neck, the back of the head and dizzy are sore.

    With the radicular type of symptom of neck pain in cervical osteochondrosis and spondylosis, a nerve compressed by the surrounding inflamed membranes of the joint or displaced structures of the spine, or by protrusion or herniated disc, may experience compression with severe pain along the arm, in the occipital region, in the temple, etc. etc.

    The symptom of pain in the neck during sprains of the cervical spine is comparable to a boring toothache. When the neck hurts due to injury to the ligaments and muscles, the patient cannot find a comfortable sleeping position and can hardly turn his head.Without specialized patient care, pain in the neck, back of the head or head can last for several weeks unabated.

    Muscle and radicular types of neck pain symptoms are usually well eliminated by physiotherapy, cervical spine traction (Glisson’s loop or hands during manual therapy), drug therapy (anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, etc.).


    Diagnosis of symptoms of pain in the neck, in the back of the head and in the arm, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

    What to do when the neck hurts (from behind or from the side) and self-treatment of this pain in the neck in the form of rubbing with ointments, warming it up and taking painkillers does not help? You should consult a doctor as soon as possible for a neurological and orthopedic examination at the clinic.This is the only way to make the correct diagnosis and reveal the true cause of the neck pain.

    Based on the results of a doctor’s consultation, if necessary, a patient with a symptom of neck pain with cervical osteochondrosis can be assigned the following additional diagnostic procedures:

    The vertebral artery passes in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and, with pain in the neck against the background of cervical osteochondrosis, it can reflexively spasm due to pain reception, causing dizziness and weakness.

    • REG, USDG of the vessels of the neck and brain
    • X-ray of the cervical spine with functional tests
    • computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine

    Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can lead to reflex spasm of the vessels of the cervical spine – these are the vertebral arteries (runs in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae).As a result of this spasm of the vertebral arteries, persistent violations of the blood supply to the posterior parts of the brain occur with attacks of dizziness, noise or ringing in the ears and head, unsteadiness when walking, numbness of the face and tongue, etc.

    Patients with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine often have a back neck pain, as well as headaches in the occiput at the same time. Sometimes these pains in the neck can simultaneously radiate (radiate) to the arm and reach from the shoulder to the hand with numbness of the fingers.

    In a patient with cervical osteochondrosis with a symptom of neck pain (lying down in sleep or sitting), the little finger and ring fingers on the hand usually go numb. This numbness in the hand and fingers (ring and little fingers) is associated with chronic overstrain of the scalene muscles. A similar condition of hypertonicity of the anterior group of neck muscles leads to partial compression of the nerve plexus of the cervical and is manifested by paresthesias in the hand and fingers.

    There are other causes of neck pain symptom:

    • Injuries to the ligaments and muscles of the neck – cervico-cranial syndrome
    • fracture of the bodies and arches of the vertebrae of the cervical spine
    • degenerative diseases of the cervical spine – osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, osteoporosis of the vertebral bodies, spondyloarthrosis of the intervertebral joints, spondylosis
    • tumors of the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord and its membranes
    • infections at the level of the neck – myelitis, epiduritis, inflammation and enlargement of the cervical group of lymph nodes,
    • Injury to the intervertebral disc of the cervical spine – disc herniation, disc protrusion, discitis

    The structure of the cervical spine.

    Degenerative diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, osteoporosis of the cervical vertebrae and osteoarthritis of the intervertebral joints) at the neck level usually occur due to the natural aging of the spine. Re-injury to the neck can accelerate these degeneration processes in the presence of osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis and spondylosis of the cervical spine.

    Patients often complain of neck pain, numbness and tingling down in the hands to the fingers of the hands (sometimes aggravated by lying on the back during sleep), crackling, crunching or clicks in the cervical region when moving (turning, tilting the head) in it.

    Symptoms of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

    • symptom of muscle pain in the neck, back of the head, shoulder or arm
    • a crunch in the neck when turning or tilting the head to the sides
    • burning or pain between the shoulder blades
    • Limitation of neck mobility during exacerbation of muscle pain symptom
    • dizziness, nausea, double vision, numbness of the face, tongue, weakness
    • numbness in the hand, in the fingers
    • lumbago in the neck, back of the head, temple, frontal part of the head, shoulder, arm, fingers
    Treatment of a symptom of pain in the neck, in the back of the head and in the arm, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

    Depending on the severity of the manifestations and the causes of pain (osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, injury and sprain of the ligaments and muscles of the neck during a fall, etc.)in the patient’s neck, the following therapeutic actions are possible:

    In the treatment of neck pain and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, physiotherapy eliminates swelling, inflammation, soreness, restores the range of motion in the joints and muscles.

    • drug therapy (NSAIDs, analgesics, hormones)
    • blockade – injection of drugs into painful muscles
    • manual therapy (non-surgical “reduction” of a vertebral disc herniation using muscle, articular and radicular techniques)
    • physiotherapy (UHF, CMT, etc.)etc.)
    • Remedial gymnastics
    • acupuncture
    • surgical treatment

    Intervertebral (facet) joints can also be treated with therapeutic blocks. Blockades are used when the usual treatment of neck pain in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine does not give a lasting positive effect.

    To carry out a blockade for pain in the neck, sufficiently low doses of an anesthetic (Novocaine, Lidocaine) and Cortisone, Diprospan or Kenalog, injected into the lumen or near the affected joint.

    When combined with a properly selected physiotherapy regimen, these injections can have a good and long-term effect on headaches and neck pain.

    Wearing a cervical brace (Shants splint) in the treatment of neck pain and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

    Wearing a cervical brace (Shants’ splint) for neck pain and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine limits the range of motion.At the same time, a cervical brace (Shants’ splint) creates an additional unloading of tense and defensively spasmodic muscles as a result of neck pain.

    Against the background of wearing a cervical collar (bandage, corset, Shants’ splint), the patient’s pain symptom in the neck area is eliminated much faster. The onset of the weakening of pain in the neck leads to a rapid restoration of the previous volume of movements of the head and neck in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

    The duration of wearing a cervical brace (cervical collar, Shants splint) depends only on the presence of a pain symptom in a patient with neck pain and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.