NECK PAIN RELIEF

http://www.arc4life.com/site/615058/page/623226 Cervical Traction for Pain Relief of the Neck How a neck stretcher and other cervical supports can help your neck pain and stiff neck Are you not able to get comfortable at night because of neck pain or stiffness? Have you been diagnosed with a Loss of Cervical Lordosis (military neck)? Do you have Chronic Neck Pain and Neck Stiffness? At Arc4life we specialize in neck pain relief products including cervical traction systems, traction products and neck cushions.   What is Traction? Traction involves the application of a continuous force that elongates or stretches spine. This pulling force is used for treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. It may be applied to the arms, legs, neck, back or pelvis for treatment of fractures, dislocations, muscle spasms and other muscular disorders. Traction uses weights, counterweights and pulleys to provide a force that gradually stretches the spine to a normal position. Before doing traction, it is important to consult a doctor because certain factors such as age, weight and medical history make a difference.  Why Should I do Neck Traction? What is the Purpose of it? Mainly for pain relief, neck traction has many purposes. It helps to mobilize the soft tissues and joints in the cervical spine, provides decompressive forces on a pinched nerve root and helps to reduce herniations in the disc. Traction is also an extremely effective means of realigning a cervical spinal dislocation and providing stabilization for these types of cervical spine injury. Low weight cervical spinal traction may be beneficial in the early treatment of cervical radiculopathy caused by a disc herniation or a disc bulge. Finally, if you suffer from a lot of neck pain, have bad neck posture (such as forward head posture), or have been diagnosed with having a reversal of the cervical lordosis (aka military neck), doing a home traction protocol can be beneficial and effective to get the curve back in your neck.   Is Using A Traction Device Painful? Traction devices or neck stretches have been around for centuries. There are many different set ups for neck traction, and some are more comfortable than others. It used to be that you could only find Over the Door Neck traction units.In this system, one hangs the weight over a door and the patient is seated in a chair. For someone who has a sensitive jaw, or jaw pain this may not be the best option. For somebody looking at this traction device in use for the first time, they might be scared off from doing neck traction at home. Over the years, many companies have out with comfortable traction products such as the Neck Traction Collar(aka Trac-Collar). Even more comfortable and effective are pneumatic traction units such as the Pronex Pneumatic Cervical Traction unit(gold standard in Doctors offices) and the Posture Pump 1000. With this type of neck traction, the patient can lie down comfortably and control the amount of traction with a pump system, thus providing an even painless neck stretch with more weight as well. Arc4life offers many different types of neck traction devices (Click on the link or see below for pictures and more detailed information): Posture Pump 1000  Neck Traction Collar  Pronex Pnuematic Cervical Traction Unit  Cervical Tracton System with A Foam Roll  Cervical Traction System with Soothe-A-Ciser  Overhead, Over the Door Neck Traction System  Soothe-A-Ciser Neck Traction Cushion  Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow    What Studies have been done using traction?- Many scientific studies have shown the benefit of using traction for natural pain relief. In 2006 Dr. Graham and other researchers carried out randomized controlled trials to assess whether mechanical traction, either alone or in combination with other treatments, improves pain, function/disability, patient satisfaction and global perceived effect in adults with mechanical neck disorders.10 trials were included in this review. Of the ten, it was noted that one study was of high quality. The review revealed low-quality trials for mechanical neck disorders, and demonstrated that it is beneficial to have intermittent traction specifically for pain reductions. Regarding continuous traction, the review indicated no significant difference for defined outcomes. (Graham, et al., 2006) In 1999, Dr. Swezey and other researcheres studied 58 outpatients for the purpose of determining if home cervical traction was beneficial. It was noted that a brief, over-the-door home cervical traction modality provided symptomatic relief in 85% of the patients with mild to moderately severe neck pain. In 2002 Dr.Constantoyannis and other researchers conducted a case series of four patients with neck pain who were treated with intermittent over-the-door cervical traction. It was noted that there was complete symptom resolution for each patient within three weeks  Home Cervical Traction Units Being able to treat you neck pain at home can make the healing process faster. Home Cervical Traction is a non invasive way that can give you long term pain relief. Home traction stretch the soft tissues of the neck and to separate the spinal joint structures in order to relieve neck pain. Constant traction results in tiring of the muscles, allowing the strain to rest on the joints. Traction results in a widening of the joint spaces, promoting pain relief because pressure is taken of the cervical nerves. There are few different types of traction that are available including a free weight and pulley system or a mechanical motorized device, often involving a head or chin sling to allow pull in a cephalad upward direction. Mechanical motorized devices are easily applied but require patient attendance and, therefore, are most often used in an outpatient clinic setting. These include thecervical posture pump 1000 and the Pronex pneumatic traction unit. You can acheive 20-50 pounds of pressure (PSI). Cervical traction may be used in a home setting as an alternative to or in addition to outpatient rehabilitation.   Doing Traction at Home Doing traction directly in your own home can help a patient to heal comfortably and continually. Proper instructions must always be followed when doing traction at home because this is a medical device. It should be applied in the position of maximal pain relief and should not result in discomfort or more pain. There are different home traction devices availabe today including traditional over-the-door devices (applied in a sitting position) and more advanced technologies (applied in a lying down position), such as the Cervical Posture Pump 1000 and Pronex® Pneumatic Traction Unit. With the traditional over-the-door traction device, one can get up to 20 pounds of pressure or less of traction. One must be careful with overhead traction is that it can put a lot of pressure on the TMJ(temporomandibular joint) and cause irritation and pain. It is important to do the traction for a specified amount of time and fit the head gear properly. The head halter fits under the chin. As force is transmitted through the chin strap to the teeth, the TMJ becomes a weight-bearing structure, which may potentially cause the joint to deteriorate. Devices that are used in the home can allow greater traction force such as the Pronex Pneumatic cervical traction device. The Pronex is a patient-controlled, pneumatic traction device that is used in a supine (lying on your back) position. The neck traction device cradles a reclining patient’s head and neck between two soft foam cushions. The Pronex Cervical Traction Unit maintains the normal cervical lordosis, resulting in uniform traction posteriorly and anteriorly across the vertebral disc, in comparison to other devices, which occlude the anterior disc space for temporary relief posteriorly. This neck stretcher can be used to deliver a traction force that avoids TMJ force and allows patients control of their own comfort level. Furthermore, with this traction unit, you can easily induce a small amount of flexion (bringing your chin to the chest) for a greater pain relief. Finally, the Pronex comes in three different sizes allowing the patient to have the best fit possible. To learn more about the Pronex traction unit on Arc 4 Life.  Treatment Protocol For Traction Treatment plans will vary for home traction depending on your particular neck pain condition. For an acute pain episode treatment is usually short-term (less than eight weeks in duration) with treatments 2–3 times per week. Once this eight week time line has passed patients do one of two things: Some use the cervical traction unit at home on an as needed basis. When they have neck pain, they do home traction. Some patients use cervical traction reguarly 1-2 times per week just like they would do their regular exercise. This is beneficial when one does not have the proper cervical curvature or a loss of cervical lordosis. This is often determined by a lateral cervical x-ray which shows the neck from the side. No curve or a "military neck" benefits from traction in thelong term. With traction patients will see pain relief, increase in cervical range of motion and return to activities of daily living. Typically, traction is used as part of an ongoing comprehensive rehabilitation treatment program to improve activities of daily living, range of motion and mobility, and overall function. It is important to have other therapy including ice, electrical muscle stimulation, and chiropractic for optimal pain relief. Arc 4 Life has written a comprehensive article on how to end neck pain by doing a cervical traction program at home.  Arc4life's Cervical Neck Traction Products Click on Each Products Link to Get More Detailed information     Description Price 1.   Cervical Traction Posture Pump 1000 Neck Stretcher: POSTURE PUMP 1000 IS ON SALE Dramatically reinforces the cervical neck lordotic curve Gets to the cause of neck stiffness, pain and discomfort fast Easy to operate and travel with Beautifully crafted and built to last The workhorse for lordotic recovery [Detailed Info about the Posture Pump 1000] $167.99$199.99 2.   Pronex Pneumatic Cervical Traction The only neck traction device that creates an even distraction in the anterior and posterior cervical discs while supporting the cervical curve-a lightweight, pneumatic device that has revoultionized at-home cervical traction unit. Sizes available for this neck stretcher: Regular (14" to 16" neck) Large (17" to 18" neck) Wide (19" to 21" neck) [Detailed info about the Pronex Cervical Tractio $498.00$520.00 3.   Neck Traction Collar An Inflatable cervical Collar for Neck Pain Relief Click for More Details about the Neck Traction Collar including Sizes $63.99$69.99 4.   Overhead Neck Traction System The Original Neck Traction Device for Neck Pain Relief: Over the Door Neck Traction [Detailed Info on the Overhead Neck Traction System] $42.95 5.   Cervical Traction System with Soothe-A-Ciser Restore the proper curve in your neck with this home traction system: Includes a Soothe-A-Ciser, adjustable harness and Water Weighted Bag $88.95$94.00 6.   Cervical Traction System with Foam Roll Restore the proper curve in your neck with this home traction system: Includes a foam roll, harness and Water Weighted Bag $55.95$60.95 7.   Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow The Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow offers superior comfort, promotes good posture, provides proper neck support while you sleep, and is non-allergenic. Provide neck traction if you have a military neck, little or no curve in your neck. [Detailed info about the Cervical Traction Neck Pillow] $51.95$55.49 8.   Soothe-A-Ciser Neck Traction Cushion For Positioning and And Pain Relief; Helps relieve tension headaches and neck pain; Perfect for Tractioning of the NECK; Used by Chiropractors, Dentists, Massage Therapists and many health professionals. $49.85 All prices in US Dollars ** To order, you must enter a quantity number, then click on "Add to Cart" We accept Paypal, Visa, American Express and Mastercard   Other Pain Relief Products & Cervical Supports There are many cervical support cushions that one can use during the day for stretching of the neck and gentle traction. AtArc4life.com we offer the Soothe-A-Ciser neck support cushion. Patients can also use supportive products at night such as the cervical traction neck pillow - which provides gentle traction to the cervical spine while sleeping. Our neck pillowssupport your head and neck in their most natural, neutral position. A proper sleeping posture can give you relief from and help prevent nerve pressure and airway blockage (usually a major cause of snoring), and assist in recovery from whiplash (usually from a motor vehicle accident), and other neck injuries. These neck pillows are so comfortable, you may never sleep on a regular neck pillow again. If you have any questions about what product is right for you, please email us at info@ arc4life.com or call us Toll Free at 1-866-210-2174. Also read this article: Which Neck Pillow is Right for Me?.  Additional Reading Resources End Neck Pain By Improving Posture - How Proper Posture Improves Your Spine Relieving Nerve Pressure- an Ezine Article written by Dr. Matthew Bellinger, Chiropractor in Glastonbury CT  The Neck Pain Support Blog- A Blog dedicated to neck pain relief, how to get the best sleep possible, how to improve your neck posture, and understanding the cervical spine  How to End Neck Pain by Doing a Cervical Traction Program at Home- Arc4life shows you how to do step by step home neck traction  Neck Excercises- Stretches and Strengtheing the Cervical Spine and Neck Muscles  The Alternative Pain Relief Blog- Arc4life's Very Own Pain Relief Blog  Visit Arc4life's YouTube Page- Neck Stretches, how to use our pain relief products, how to choose a great neck pillow- loads of information that you can use.

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November 14, 2008

Neck Pain resulting from a C5, C6, C7, or C8 Radiculopathy

In our last post we discussed severe neck pain caused by a cervical radiculopathy. When a nerve root in the neck is irriated or compressed, a patient will show certain signs and symptoms. Lets find out what some of these classic symptoms are:


C5
If the C5 nerve root is irritated or compressed, a patient will exhibit certain pain patterns and neurological changes. The pain will be concentrated in the neck, upper arm, shoulders, and medial border of the scapula. The patient may also show numbness and tingling in the upper arm specifically in the arm and deltoid muscles. The Doctor may notice a decreased biceps reflex and the patient is not able to bring their arms sideways up towards their ears (abduction) to the level of the shoulder or above.

C6
Patients who have a radiculopathy that involves the C6 nerve root will present with neck pain, shoulder pain, medial scapula pain, thumb and index finger pain. They may have numbness and tingling into the outer aspect of the lower arm, into the thumb and index finger. The Doctor may notice that the brachioradilis and biceps reflex is decreased or absent. With motor testing, the doctor may also notice that the patient has weakness with wrist extension and the ability to bend the elbow.

C7
Patients who present with a C7 radiculopathy will show have neck pain, lower arm and along the medial border of the scapula. They may experience numbness and tingling into the middle finger. The Doctor may notice an absent triceps reflex. Weakness may also be noticed in the ability to straighten the elbow, and weakness in the triceps muscle, wrist flexors and finger extensors.

C8
Patients who have a c8 radiculopathy may present with neck pain, scapula pain, pain along the inner side of the arm, ring and little fingers. They may also have numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers. Weakness may be noted in the finger flexors.

It should be noted that even if you have been diagnosed with a certain level of radiculopathy your symptoms may be different from the classic symptoms that we have listed above. Radiculopathic pain is not limited to one specific distribution pattern and may not always be sharp, and shooting and superficial in nature. Instead often times, the pain is all over the place, not just localized to one area and can be deep in nature. One reason for this because of the referred scleretogenous pain that comes from irritaton of the dural sleeve which is densely innervated. 

As you can see, each nerve controls a lot of different sensations, muscles and reflexes. What causes irritation or compression to the cervical nerve roots in the first place? That's a whole another discussion we will save for next blog post.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Part II: Are Your Severe Neck Pain Symptoms the Result of a Cervical Radiculopathy?
• Part III: The Causes of Severe Neck Pain Resulting from a Cervical Radiculopathy
• Part IV: Severe Neck Pain From a Herniated Disc: What are Your Treatment Options?
• Understanding your Disc Problem Like a Jelly Donut
• How to End Neck Pain Naturally by Doing A Cervical Traction Program at Home

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical supports and cervical traction products for relief of stiff neck, and neck pain
 
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Posted by NJ on November 14, 2008 at 06:59 PM in Causes of Neck Pain | PermalinkShareThis

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How to....Articles on Arc4life.com 
How to End Neck Pain by Doing a Cervical Traction Program at Home

This Arc4life How to article shows you step by step instructions on how to do a neck traction program at home for neck pain relief. There are so many treatments for neck pain: medication, chiropractic, physical therapy, and traction. When people think of traction, they think of an awkward over the door contraption that looks very painful. Well, not so at all- because today we are going to go over how to do comfortable neck traction at home. There are many traction units available online today- At our office we utilize the Pronex Pneumatic Cervical traction unit and have had the best results for neck pain relief. Here are the simple steps

1. Take out the pronex from its bag. Remove the headstrap from the traction device. Make sure you have removed your earrings and necklaces before starting. If you have long hair pull it back. 
2. Lie on a flat surface, a carpeted area is nice. If you want more cushion, put a yoga matt under you. Bring your knees up with feet flat on the floor. This is the ideal position for neck traction because it keeps pressure off of your lower back. 
3. Put one hand behind your neck and roll back onto the pronex. Pull the sides of the pronex out gently so that your neck and head are in a comfortable position. 
4. Apply the forehead strap to your forehead- tightening comfortable on the other side with the velcro strap 
5. The pronex traction device uses a simple pneumatic bulb to inflate the bellows. Turn the valve clockwise to increase traction (this closes the airway) and turn counter clockwise to decrease traction (this releases the airway). Make sure you close the chrome valve on the bulb before starting traction- so turn the valve clockwise. 
6. Before beginning traction by closing the airway by turning the valve clockwise-
7. Begin inflating the unit until you feel a gentle stretch in your cervical spine. This cervical stretch will relax the cervical paraspinals muscles and suboccipitals 
8. Close your eyes while doing traction so that you can be completely relaxed 
9. 
   After relaxing, Continue inflating the pronex so that you can increase the traction. Stay in this position until you feel relaxed. *Relaxation during traction is very important for a successful treatment. 
10. Continue with traction for about 10 minutes 
11. After finished turn the chrome valve counter clockwise to release the airway. Remove the velcro headstrap slowly. 
12. Using one hand to support the head and neck, roll out of the unit on one side, gently sit up slowly 
13. ***Use the gray wedge if neccessary to put some flexion into your neck while doing traction. This is for angle therapy- place the gray wedge under the head peice only.
    
    
    Indications for neck traction:
    
    • Head, Neck and shoulder Pain 
    • Herniated disc and bulging disc in the neck 
    • degeneration of the cervical discs in the neck 
    • Post cervical fusion surgery 
    • Migraine headaches 

So as you can see, neck traction at home can be simple, pain free not time consuming, and most importantly giving you pain relief! Simply spending 10-15 minutes a day, can ease the pain in your neck. As with all medical products consult with your Dr about your specific traction protocol.

Click here For more information about the Home Pronex Cervical Unit
Purchase the Pronex Online **** Use discount coupon arc100 for 10% off of your purchase !

 

Use Cervical Traction for Neck Pain Relief   Quan.   Description Price 1.   Cervical Traction Posture Pump 1000 Neck Stretcher: POSTURE PUMP 1000 IS ON SALE Dramatically reinforces the cervical neck lordotic curve Gets to the cause of neck stiffness, pain and discomfort fast Easy to operate and travel with Beautifully crafted and built to last The workhorse for lordotic recovery [Detailed Info about the Posture Pump 1000] Item No. PstrPmp1000 $167.99$199.99 2.   Pronex Pneumatic Cervical Traction The only neck traction device that creates an even distraction in the anterior and posterior cervical discs while supporting the cervical curve-a lightweight, pneumatic device that has revoultionized at-home cervical traction unit. Sizes available for this neck stretcher: Regular (14" to 16" neck) Large (17" to 18" neck) Wide (19" to 21" neck) [Detailed info about the Pronex Cervical Tractio Item No. PronexPT $498.00$520.00 All prices in US Dollars Having Proper Posture can Aid in Neck Pain Relief In the last few years computers have become a part of everyday life. This new age of high tech has come with its share of maladies: People whose jobs require them to sit for prolonged periods of time in one position- often at the computer. This type of a position can put a lot of stress on the cervical spine including tight muscles, stiff neck and other neck pain. Simply by adhering to a few rules about how to set up your workstation can make a big difference in having neck pain relief. Sitting at a desk, interacting with a computer and telephone can put a lot of stress on your neck. We can combat certain postures, there would be a lot of happier people with less neck pain at the end of the day. When working at a computer desk keep in mind these two points about the position of your neck: You have a natural C curve in your neck- it is called a Lordotic curve. This curve should always be maintained. Not having the proper cervical curve can lead to chronic neck pain, stiff neck, upper shoulder stiffness and other symptoms. Your neck has an impressive flexibility to it- you are able to flex, extend, rotate and laterally flex- and you should give your neck the chance to be flexible. Movement is life and it is the same with then neck; if you don't rotate or turn your neck, it will stop turning- because you are not using the neck muscles natural ability to turn. If you are working at a computer, make sure you take multiple breaks so that you can move your head around and change position. This is very important to maintain neck flexibility. That is a reason why neck exercises are important and taking breaks (even for 10 seconds!). So you have to work right? So make your workstation as comfortable as you can. At the end of the day you will have minimal neck pain, and stiffness. Here are some key points for maintaining a no neck pain zone: Your chair: Make sure you have a ergonomic chair that has a good back support and neck support. Look for a thick padded seat, padded and adjustable arms, built in lumbar support, dual wheel casters so you can move around easily, pneumatic seat-height adjustment, ability to tilt the chair seat Your viewing distance: Make sure your viewing distance is 12-28 inches from the computer screen. Then you are not straining your neck muscles to see what you are typing Computer Screen Position: Make sure the top of the computer screen is slightly below eye level when you are sitting comfortably. Having a computer screen that is too low can put a lot of stress on your neck muscles contributing to strain and stiffness. Also tilt the computer screen slightly backwards. For most people their most comfortable neck position is when their normal line of sight is about 15 to 20 degrees below horizontal. Computer Screen Angle: The angle of the computer screen should be 10- 20 degrees Keyboard height: The height of the keyboard should be 23-28 inches from the floor surface. Leg Position: Your thighs should be horizontal. Sitting with Good Posture at the Computer: Neck Pain Relief Sitting at the computer for a long time equals neck pain and stiff neck if not done properly Our neck has the ability to flex forward, backward, turn and bend to the side. Pretty amazing !. Compared to the lower back, the neck has more range of motion: Lets compare range of motion in the cervical and lumbar spine: Cervical Spine Lumbar spine Flexion Bending forward 80-90 degrees 40-60 degrees Extension Bending Backward 70-90 degrees 20-35 degrees Lateral Bending 45 degrees 15-20 degrees Rotation 70-90 degrees 3-18 degrees As you can see our cervical spine range of motion is far greater than the lumbar range of motion. The importance of moving your neck, and doing neck stretches can be emphasized enough. NeckPainReliefKit.com presents important neck exercises, so you can keep your cervical spine in the best shape possible. Loss of Curvature in the Neck- "military neck" "oh my neck really hurts... I cannot turn my head" "My Neck is stiff..." - is that a constant health complaint for you? Neck pain affects many aspects of our life. Working on the computer, reading, looking back to check your blind spot while driving- can really aggravate neck pain and stiffness. For those who look further into it and have a proper examination with xrays of their neck will find that they do not have a proper C-curve in their spine. Particulary this can be seen when we look at a lateral cervical spine radiograph:. Enough can not be said about the importance of the cervical curve. When bones of the spine lose their normal position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels to the head can be affected. When spinal nerves and related tissues are stretched or irritated they can symptoms such as headaches and neck pain. Aspirin and medication may cover up these warning signs, but do not correct the underlying structural cause. Many patients with neck pain have lost the normal forward curve in the neck. Ultimately, this can affect the brain stem and spinal cord. A customer who was dealing with neck pain, neck stiffness recently wrote in our website. This customer ordered a Cervical Traction Neck Pillow: "I have been dealing with back and neck pain for 10+ years. My x-rays show a complete loss in the curvature of my neck, a permanent head tilt, and a curvature in my spine to compensate for my head tilt. I've been to the chiropractor again and again, tried roll pillows under my neck at night (so uncomfortable) and popped tons of advil. Minimal relief. Then I ordered this pillow. The first night I used it I woke up the next morning with much less pain than usual. The next night I slept soundly and had even less pain in the morning. I have been using this pillow every night for three weeks now, and I wake up feeling great. The best part is, my neck is still okay by the end of the day! The pain stays at bay. Sure the pillow takes a little getting used to, you can't move around much, but I am willing to sacrifice rolling around in bed at night for a pain free tomorrow!" Cervical Traction Neck Pillow Cost of Neck Pillow: $49.95 Shipping: Fedex: $10.90 (ships within 2 days) Color: White Dimensions: 23”x15”x3” Weight: 1.5 lbs Shipping Weight: 3.6 lbs Fits: Standard Pillow Case Indications: Neck Pain, neck stiffness, pinched nerve in neck, sore neck, disc herniation in neck, military neck, loss of cervical curve, Cervical Brachial Syndrome, Cervical Radiculopathy, Cervical Disc, Cervical Degeneration, Neck Fusion, Cervical Sprain, Cervical Strain, Whiplash, Neck Injury To order the Cervical Traction Neck Pillow: Click Here Visit us on the web at Arc4life.com You might also like: What's the best neck pillow for aches and knots? The Multi-Functional Bed Wedge Positioning Cushion "Should I Only Use My Neck Pillow When I’m In Pain?" LinkWithin