Neck Pain
Pain Relief | Neck Pain | Neck Pain Do's & Don'ts | Neck Pain Q&A | Headaches & Neck Pain

Dear Dr. Suzy,   

Q. I've suffered from neck pain for most of my life.  Do you know of any safe and effective holistic neck pain solutions that might help?

A. There are a multitude of reasons why millions of people suffer from muscle spasms, tension, and pain in the neck and back of the neck, sometimes on a daily basis.

To find the cause of the problem, it is often necessary to seek help from a Doctor of Chiropractic, Neurologist, Physical Therapist, or other qualified Health Care Provider.  Seeking out alternative and holistic solutions for neck pain is often the answer for many individuals.  Some effective neck pain relief solutions include:  Massage therapy including many different types of bodywork therapy such as craniosacral work, assisted stretching, trigger point therapy tools such as the Backnobber, Biofeedback, nutritional supplements for neck pain and headaches, stress reduction techniques, proper body mechanics, quality cervical or neck pillows, proper lifting and computer usage ergonomics, and a wide variety of other natural and safe solutions.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do on your own at home or at work to help relieve and possibly eliminate muscle spasms and tension that lead to neck pain and discomfort. Quite often the cause of neck pain is closely related to muscle spasms and painful trigger points in the neck, upper back, and shoulder region. Inflammation and irritation of the spinal joints and delicate soft tissue of the neck caused by rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are one of the leading causes of neck pain. 

Instead, slowly and gently stretch the neck side-to-side by bringing the ear toward the shoulder. This is much safer and more effective than the rapid rolling of the head in a circle. I literally cringe every time I see a boxer, football player, or other athlete quickly jerk their head from side to side or rapidly roll their head in a circle around their shoulders.

There is no way to sleep on your stomach without putting some torque or twisting in your spine, especially in the neck region. This can be harmful to the spinal column because it puts pressure on the delicate spinal nerves over an extended period of time, and may result in stiffness, neck pain, and headaches. 

The ideal position for sleeping is on your back, with a pillow under your neck to support the cervical curve. If you sleep on your side, try to switch sides frequently and position your pillow so that your head and neck are level with the bed and not tilted at an angle. Since there is less stress on the lower back when your legs are bent, try sleeping with a pillow under your knees if you are sleeping on your back, or between your knees if you sleep on your side.  

There are three natural curves in the spine that naturally increase its strength and flexibility: the cervical curve in the neck, the thoracic curve in the mid back, and the lower back or lumbar curve. Just as the curve in a bridge or other structure increases its weight bearing capacity, so too, do the curves in your spine.

Loss of the cervical curve can be a result of overstretching of the ligaments, as is often seen after a serious car accident. This loss of curve can result in decreased weight bearing strength of the neck supporting the head and can cause pain and stiffness, possibly affecting vital nerve flow. Just as there is a continuous flow between the fluids on a cellular level, there is also a certain flow, similar to electricity, within the nervous system. Whenever there is an obstruction of the nerve flow, the part of the body that is supplied by that nerve does not function at its fullest potential.

One of the things that you can do to stimulate proper nerve flow is to obtain a sufficient amount of exercise. The lymphatic system and the digestive system function more efficiently with proper physical activity, and the nervous system is no exception.

Walking is a surprisingly good exercise for neck muscles, especially when you swing your arms. Swimming is wonderful because there is no weight bearing pressure on the joints and discs. Strengthening the muscles around the neck, including the traps and smaller spinal muscles also helps stabilize and support the neck and prevent pain and spasm.

Perhaps one of the most important things that you can do to prevent and relieve neck and back pain is to avoid overuse.  Listen to your body. It is constantly giving you valuable feedback that can serve as a warning sign.  Don't simply cover up the symptoms.  Do something about the cause of the problem and treat your amazing body with the respect it deserves.