Tallahassee Chiropractors Offers Neck Pain Relief Options

By Fernando Ketter

The cervical spine is the most delicate portion of the backbone. There are seven cervical vertebrae. The top one is called the Atlas. It is the largest in size and supports the weight of the head. A car accident, even at low speed, can cause an injury known as whiplash. A leading Tallahassee Chiropractor will confirm the seriousness of this condition.

In the car, a seat belt and air bag protects the body during a crash. At the same time, the head will be jerked rapidly forward and back, leaving severe pain as the aftermath. The injured party may be unable to turn the head to one side. Chiropractic adjustments work to restore function. The goal is to alleviate the pain and increase the ability to turn the head.

This can be discussed during the first appointment with the chiropractor. Until a full evaluation takes place, the method of care cannot be planned. An exam includes taking a medical history, a physical exam and whatever other tests seem appropriate. Frequently, spinal adjustments are included in the care.

In addition to whiplash, the cervical spine can be hurt due to muscle strain and tension. It may be a combination of these factors. It may also be a condition called cervical osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative condition that may occur with age.

Head trauma caused by a collision on the football field can cause vertigo, which is dizziness. It also causes nausea and vomiting in some cases. The type called cervicogenic vertigo may be relieved using spinal adjustments.

Still another cause of vertigo is debris contained in the inner ear, which is responsible for balance. The vestibulocochlear canal may fill with this debris. A chiropractic application, called the Epley Maneuver moves the debris and relieves the feeling of dizziness.

Each care plan is custom tailored for each client. A different plan can be required for two individuals with the same injury. Their pain alleviation may be facilitated by the adjustments, massage or a mild exercise regimen that includes stretching.

About the Author:

Chiropractic care alleviates neck, shoulder, elbow and hand pain naturally and quickly. Click here for more info about an experienced Tallahassee chiropractor at http://www.fiorinichiropractic.com today.

Lavender Neck Wraps The Best Choice For Stress Relief

By Stella Gay

There are so many reasons that could lead to neck pain. It may be caused by muscle soreness or strain because you slept in a wrong position or kept it in the same position for several hours. Other than that the other causes include, depression, stress or anxiety. Lavender neck wraps could be used to help you get your pain healed because this plant is said to contain healing properties and at the same time its totally safe to use.

They are easily available in various pharmacies as well as departmental stores. One of the reasons why they are popular among people is simply because lavender smells gorgeous and it tends to give a very calm and pleasant feeling. You must ensure before purchasing that the wrap doesn't contain anything but pure extracts of the lavender plant otherwise the healing properties would be compromised.

Its simple to utilize these wraps on the grounds that you should simply to warmth them in the microwave for a particular time period. The measure of time that you have to warmth it ought to be specified on the mark. Verify you don't overheat it else it will bring about a blazed skin. Once warmed as obliged, simply put it on to your neck and it will work wonders. You can warm the wrap again once its legitimately chilled off.

These wraps don't loose their healing properties therefore they can be used as many times as possible. When its heated, the extracts present inside are stimulated and when it cools down the healing ability gets weaken. Through time, the gorgeous smell of lavender might die down a bit but the healing properties remain as it is.

The neck wrap is filled with rice, barley or wheat grains which are then infused in pure lavender oil. It may contain the plant leaves as well to give it more healing strength. If you feel that the scent is no longer there, you may use a syringe and inject the pillow with essential oil once again.

Lavender is quite famous for its anti inflammatory properties which means that it assists the healing process in a fast way. Its very commonly used for massaging as well because massage helps to ease the pain and at the same time relieves the cause of your stress. In certain medical conditions its not permissible to massage therefore you should avoid massaging if you suffer from such condition.

Its one of the best examples of aromatherapy because when you place the pillow on to your neck it enables to stimulate your nervous system and your muscles feel relaxed and calmed down. Even if the pain was caused by some sort of mental stress, it is healed completely.

You should feel pain free after using such product but for some reason, if the pain still persists then the best option is to seek medical advice as soon as possible because your pain might be caused by various other unknown reasons and its important to get it checked. There is no point of waiting because the problem may get worse as the time passes by so you should deal with it as quickly as you can.

About the Author:

You can visit www.lavenderscents.com for more helpful information about Lavender Neck Wraps For Stress Relief.

Various Reasons For Neck Pain

By Donna Barnes

There are numerous things that can normally happen when you have decided to continue doing certain things. Discomforts are bound to appear particularly when you have been doing certain things for a specific period of time. These pains can sometimes become very difficult to deal with especially when you do not have the right means for treating these illnesses. And you would also have to think about utilizing the right treatments to properly function and become healthier.

This is something that may be very typical especially for those who are usually exposed to certain types of activities and work. Neck pains and other types of discomforts might be experienced by most people. If that happens, you need to find out the best treatments for these things. Neck pain Conroe might be difficult especially when it keeps occurring.

These types of pain can be caused by a variety of reasons. And there is a need to check on what happened first and what the cause might be so that it would be easier for you to decide how you could proceed with treatment. It can be caused by different things so there would also be various ways to have it treated.

This might be caused by simple muscle pains which have been present because of the different activities that you might subject yourself to. And this can also be caused by work and other things. In cases like this, it is only normal to go through these types of effects right after.

There are many reasons other than the most common one. And if you do not pay attention to it, then it might become a very dangerous thing for your current health. Others are experiencing and suffering from something that can even be more serious. So you need to think about these things especially when you do not want it to get worse.

You could try curing this beforehand. There are certain things that could be cured by simple options and home treatments. Some individuals have decided on these things especially if the current condition is not very serious. This way, there is no need for you to make use of drugs and other more serious treatments if you feel that it can be treated that way.

However, there are certain instances when it would not disappear. In cases such as this, you should always have this checked up. This way, you could easily be certain what type of condition you have. And once this is diagnosed and you are already certain of the illness, then you can plan for the proper treatment and how to move along with these things.

When you are certain about the more important things, then it would be easier for you to know what the risks are. Some people are constantly exposing themselves to these types of risk especially when they do not know the things that they are currently going through. So it is best that you consider everything beforehand.

A healthier lifestyle is always a good thing. And because of that, you must remember that it is also necessary to focus on your health and the different reasons for these things. You would also avoid getting sick and become more adept with the activities you are going to do. It would make you stronger as well.

About the Author:

When you are looking for the facts about neck pain Conroe locals can pay a visit to our web pages online today. More details are available at http://www.lordexspineinstituteofconroe.com now

Friday Q A Safe Neck Movements

Self portrait at the age of eighty three by Hokusai

Q: I was wondering if you could do a post about the safety of neck movements in older yoga practitioners (maybe 60 and up?). I teach a beginner yoga class for seniors in the Downtown Oakland Senior Center. I do like to incorporate some neck movements into our practice but just recently I got to read Swami Satynanda Saraswati’s book (Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha) and he mentions that elderly people should not do the neck movements he suggests in his Pawanmuktasana Part 1 series (chin to chest, head turning to side, ear to shoulder, head rolls (I don’t do that one with the seniors). He also suggests that cervical spondylosis patients should strictly avoid forward bending of the neck. What I mostly heard before is to be careful about back bending the neck. Would you advise patients with arthritis in the cervical spine not to do any neck movements? Or just perhaps do only 50% of their range of motion?

A: Thanks for this important question! Here at YFHA, we have written quite a bit about neck pain, neck arthritis, and normal movements of the spine, including the neck area, and other aspects of the neck (please see the end of this post for a list of recommended posts from our archives).

Before writing my answer to you, I did an online search for clear guidelines on range of motion exercises for the neck for older adults, without much luck. One study Effect of an upper-body flexibility intervention on neck range of motion in older women tried to determine if having older women practice a set of neck and upper body range of motion exercises twice a week could improve their neck range of motion. The study noted that as adults age, they often experience a decrease in mobility that can make driving a car or even safely crossing a street while checking for traffic to their right and left difficult, resulting in decreased ability to safely move about their community. They were hoping to determine a way to help turn this around. Sadly, the study did not show any significant change in neck mobility, but suggested that doing the exercises more than twice a week might change that outcome.

Before I go any further, let me clarify a few definitions for those readers new to the topic of neck problems in general:

Cervical Spondylosis: According to the Mayo Clinic cervical spondylosis is “a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, bone spurs and other signs of osteoarthritis develop. More than 90 percent of people older than age 65 have evidence of cervical spondylosis and osteoarthritis that can be seen on neck X-rays. Most of these people experience no symptoms from these problems.”

Facet Joint Arthritis: This is a form of arthritis that affects the facet joints of the neck located behind the area of the discs, and can occur alone or in conjunction to the disc changes described above.

As for the cautions that Swami Satynanda Saraswati gives in his book, I cannot directly comment on them, as I don’t have a copy of the book and I can’t check to see if he references any sources for these recommendations. However, I have some general guidelines I use when suggesting range of motion exercises to my older students.

Disc Changes

For those with significant disc changes, including degenerative disc disease with symptoms or disc herniation causing symptoms, I recommend limiting forward bending of the neck, especially if any force is being applied to the neck. Examples of poses that might overload the neck for these students include Bridge pose, Rabbit pose, and even Child’s pose if the chin is tucked and the head is resting on the floor. As to whether non-weight bearing flexion of the neck is okay, such as standing in Mountain Pose and nodding the chin to the chest, careful experimentation could be tried and if there are no worsening of any neck symptoms, some practitioners might benefit from maintaining range of motion in that direction.

Facet Joint Arthritis

For those with facet joint arthritis that is symptomatic, extension of the neck and head (tipping the head back) can be aggravating. Therefore, caution is recommended in taking the head and neck back into extension (backbend) or extension combined with rotation. Camel Pose is an example of a neck position that I recommend be avoided by practitioners with this kind of neck arthritis. However, gentle head lifts, such as in Locust pose and low Cobra pose, could possibly help maintain some extension range of motion in the neck while also helping to strengthen the muscles at the back of the neck. And gentle chin lifts combined with chin tucks could also be tried cautiously. Empower your students to notice the effects of the movements and make appropriate adjustments as they go along.

Basic Range of Motion Movements

It is reasonable to share some basic range of motion movements with older adults and let them monitor whether the stretching sensations that arise are acceptable or not, and allow them to limit the movements to a degree that allows the movements to be done pain free. I usually suggest simple seated or standing positions to begin. Then I have my students try simple rotation of the head and neck to the right and left, moving with the breath, which I call Owl Turns. Inhale as you turn your head to the right, exhale as you turn back to center, inhale as you turn your head to the left, and exhale as you turn back center, and repeat for perhaps 2 to 3 rounds. I usually follow that with simple side-bending movements, which I fondly refer to as Curious Dog Tips, where you inhale as you bring your right ear towards your right shoulder without letting your head rotate, and exhale as you return your head to center, and then repeat on the left side. Two to three rounds of Curious Dog Tips is a good test of how a practitioner might handle that motion.

Like our reader, I tend to avoid the head circles or head “rolls” that are sometimes taught in modern yoga classes, as these seem to have the potential to aggravate a lot of necks, young and old (see Thursday Q&A: Head Rolls).

I hope these suggestions will both give older readers of YFHA some ideas to work with and yoga teachers out them some options to share with their students.

Previous posts that can give our readers a good background understanding of the neck region of the spine include:

1. For a basic understanding of the spine as a whole and how it moves: All About Spine Anatomy and Movements 
2. For a look at pain in the neck generally: A Literal Pain in the Neck 
3. For a study on Degenerative Disc Disease, which can affect the cervical spine: Degenerative Disk Disease and Yoga 
4. A general discussion of arthritis in the spine: Arthritis of the Spine 
5. My recommendations for working with neck spasms and strains: Neck Muscle Strain and Spasm, Part 2 

—Baxter

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Lavender Neck Wrap Pain Relief

By Jeannie Chapman

Stressful situations may cause tension to build up in the muscles, especially those along the shoulders and upper back. If left untreated, it not only results in aching pains and discomfort, but may also disrupt one's natural sleep patterns. A lavender neck wrap is a product that is designed to handle these physical effects of emotional pressure.

Filled with a mixture of all natural substances, this product is a chemical free way to treat pains and other problems. They are usually shaped as a rectangular packet, a horseshoe or a tube and are filled with aromatic lavender and some sort of grain like wheat, flax seed or buckwheat hulls which are great at holding heat or maintaining cold. There are several ways to used these wraps.

When sealed in a ziplock bag and placed in the freezer overnight, this is the perfect alternative to an ice pack for quick relief of muscle strain and pains. Warmed in the microwave for less than a minute turns the packet into an excellent heating pad. They can be used on knees, elbows, shoulders, neck or any other part of the body.

Aside from the grain product which maintains the desired temperature, there is another factor that makes this such an effective pain and tension reliever. Aromatherapy is the act of using scents to evoke certain feelings or achieve particular health benefits. This is not theory, but rather it is scientific fact that some smells have the power to affect emotional conditions.

Lavender is one of the most popular scented herbs in the world. It has been used in a multitude of ways other than in tension pads such as in oils, baking, lotions, teas and tinctures just to name a few. It's fragrance has the ability to calm one's nerves, decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure and even relax a person enough to facilitate sleep, even in those suffering from insomnia.

There are multiple ways this herb may be prepared in order to treat several ailments. As a living plant or when dried and crumbled, it emits a beautiful aroma that is very effective at helping those dealing with health issues such as insomnia, restlessness, depression and anxiety. The essential oils created from it are great for treating toothaches, headaches, sprains, itching, sores, hair loss and as an insect repellent.

Some of the other purposes this herb is commonly being used for are as an antiseptic, an analgesic, expectorant and antidepressant. It has also finally been recognized as an effective part of the various treatments utilized for ailments such as acne, nausea, vomiting and pounding migraines. This fragrant plant has also been recorded as assisting in the battle against cancer and dementia.

Using a lavender neck wrap to reduce tension and achy muscles will not only soothe the pain but may also provide other emotionally based benefits. This ingenious mix of fragrant herb and temperature controlling grains products allows one to target the treatment to a specific joint or body part. While calming the pressure of strains with heat or coolness, the aroma wafts in to calm nerves and relax the mind.

About the Author:

On this website www.lavenderwraps.com you will find a wide range of lavender neck wrap products at discount prices. Take the time to browse through these web pages on http://www.lavenderwraps.com.

Treatment Modalities For Neck Pain Conroe Residents Need To Be Aware Of

By Harold Stevens

Neck pain is a fairly common condition among both men and women. The source of this discomfort may be any of the tissues found in the cervical region including the bony structures, the muscles, ligaments and glands among others. The symptom may be acute (usually a result of trauma or infections) or chronic (mainly due to degenerative conditions or prolonged infections). There are a number of things on neck pain Conroe residents need to know if struggling with this problem.

Neck muscle strains account for a majority of the cases that are seen in most clinics. The good news is that most minor strains involving ligaments and tendons are self-limiting and typically resolve in a day or two. A number of homemade remedies to help alleviate the symptoms exist. For instance, application of cold compressions at the affected area helps reduce associated inflammation and expedites the healing process.

Hot compressions are just as effective as the cold compressions. They work by enhancing blood flow to the painful site which in turn increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients necessary for wound healing. Using over the counter medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac helps to relieve the pain and to make one comfortable even as healing takes place. Massage therapy is another treatment that is always considered under this category.

If the home therapies fail to work, you need to make an effort to see a doctor. The doctor will embark on making a diagnosis by obtaining a clinical history and subjecting you to a physical examination. The history will focus on determining the exact site, the intensity and duration of symptoms. The examination incorporates the evaluation of the neck structures as well as the nervous system.

In some cases, the condition is associated with several other symptoms such as double vision, headache, shoulder ache, arm numbness, and so on. This association usually suggests the involvement of cranial nerves and the meninges and calls for urgent evaluation by a doctor. If there is accompanying low back pain, ankylosing spondylitis is a possibility.

Radiographic images are a key investigations in diagnosis conditions affecting the cervical region. A plain radiograph (X-Ray) and CT scan are most useful for the evaluation of bony structures. The MRI is the investigation of choice if the problem is believed to originate from the soft tissue structures. In a number of cases the results of these investigations may be normal.

The risk factors for this condition include contact sports such rugby, football and martial arts, motor sport, horse riding and poor body posture among others. Prevention is dependent on the specific situation. The general measures that may be undertaken include strengthening exercises and the use of cervical braces.

Neck pain has many causes that range from trauma to infections to degenerative conditions. Symptoms vary in patterns and severity. While most cases can be managed easily at home, others are more serious and require evaluation by a specialist. Many cases can be prevented by taking precautionary measures particularly for those that are involved in contact sports.

About the Author:

To seek long term relief from neck pain Conroe chiropractors are available for an examination today. Make an appointment through this website http://www.lordexspineinstituteofconroe.com without further delay!

What To Consider When Looking For A Neck Pain Specialist

By Deborah Carter

When facing neck troubles, looking for a doctor must fully be minded. To effectively take you in, seeking for the cause of the pain must fully be settled. As for its causes, most of it completely links over tumors, trauma, poor posture, muscle strain, degenerative diseases, and bone and joint abnormalities.

Before taking yourself to the doctor, working your own way must be done first. Easing of such discomfort can completely be secured at home. Just by simply applying ice or taking over the counter pain relievers, healing is certainly conceived. When you have done everything but the pain is still there then that surely sinks you as the right time to call an exact neck pain Conroe specialist. There are definitely heaps of these doctors you can easily find in the city of Conroe, TX.

Discomfort is treated differently. As for what you are feeling on your neck, the specialist needs to dig in with a lot of tests so to find out what causes it or how it can be treated. For these tests, you will surely experience one of the following such as x rays, electromyography, lumbar puncture, blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography.

You need to look out for these experts through the bountiful help of the Internet. Just by simply focusing on the world wide web, answers are easily minded. Just be extremely keen in watching over their sites as some of it are actually giving out fraudulent information. You must never become their victim.

It is definitely crucial to find outstanding answers from your friends and relatives. Some of them certainly have tried witnessing agreeable operations of these specialists. They might also have some friends who have experienced working with these professionals in the past which is a suitable help for you. List down everything you got on their shares.

It is absolutely vital to set some time for an interview. As for such crucial spot, you will certainly be mesmerized with its aim. Just by simply working your eyes on ideal tracks, easy replies are completely minded. You need to be outstandingly precise with your questions. Readying everything must fully settled within.

It is completely crucial to seek for an ultimate professional. When chatting to these prospects, you have to be exceedingly precise in marking outstanding answers through their degree. You need to know their years of experiences as this professional as well. Just by simply working your sight on such measure can greatly help you be tracked down with immense responses you certainly will be amazed of.

The sense of authenticity of these individuals must be focused and you have to be exactly clear with it. For this crucial spot, you must be entirely secured in working your sight over their possessed licenses and certification. It always matters for these experts to have these documents so to speak out trust from clients.

It is, without doubt, crucial to settle your eyes over the possessed expertise and skills of these professionals. When marking your sight on such measure, you will completely find enlivening replies over how well they can take care of you as his patient. Consider looking over to his characteristics as well. You need someone who can understand your problems.

About the Author:

If you are looking for the facts about neck pain Conroe locals can pay a visit to our web pages online here today. Additional details are available at http://www.lordexspineinstituteofconroe.com now.

Effective Neck Pain Avoidance Tips

By Donald Carter

Experiencing muscle pain and discomfort can be a very common thing for a lot of individuals. It comes with a certain activity or a certain type of work. And for that reason, it has to be prevented. This needs to be remedied immediately so that it would not become something recurring or chronic. And the performance of a person and their daily activities can be affected because of what they are feeling currently.

There are different causes for these pains. And with this knowledge, you can easily prevent yourself from actually suffering from these things. You would also be more careful about the choices you are making and deviate from habits that could cause the pains. Chronic neck pain could really be difficult to deal with so you have to be careful not to make it reach that far.

When you are aware of what is happening, you also know the right methods to take in order to prevent this from happening. But you need to remember that there are still instances when this can happen. The good thing there is the fact that you would not have to deal with it constantly.

One good way to spot the issues would be to go through checkups. The thorough inspection of professionals would provide you with the necessary means to know what other issues you should be concerned about. And you can also be certain that there is chance you could easily fix it and get back to your old routines.

Proper amount of water intake can do a lot of wonders to your entire body. The organs are in need of water for it to function. And the entire system depends on these things for your survival. This would also include the disk and joints near the cartilages. This way, your spine would not be at risk. Bending spines is often known to be the main reason for pains.

Alternative treatments and traditional medicine can be a very necessary thing. Acupuncture is a very recommended thing for this particular need. It might be good to consider going to sessions for it whenever you could.

Relaxing your muscles can be done through various methods. One would be through the use of regular massages. Soaking in a hot bath could also be a good way for you to achieve relaxation. You must try and go through these things properly in the future. These are just some of the methods that can be used for these needs.

Proper posture improvement is a good way to prevent any stiffness. When the spine gets distorted, there is no telling of the danger that you might be getting yourself into. Nerves are located through the spine. Through knowing how to stand and properly sit while doing things, you can easily avoid too much strain on your spine.

You must also know the importance of exercise. This way, you can properly strengthen the muscles that you have. It could also increase bone density which is necessary for your physical activities and needs. There would be no need to be too concerned about the condition it has.

About the Author:

You can find advice on how to get rid of chronic neck pain and more info about an experienced massage therapist at http://energywithintherapy.com right now.

How A Dallas GA Chiropractor Alleviates Whiplash And Neck Pain Naturally

By Andre Ferlo

Your neck does a lot of work - the average adult head weighs eight to ten pounds. It is also quite vulnerable to damage.

Whiplash is a problem that develops when the head is violent moved one way and then in the opposite direction given that this causes strains and sprains within the neck muscles and tendons and may even result in vertebral alignment issues. Pain in the neck can be additionally caused by poor posture and degenerative conditions. Headaches can also be the result of neck pain.

Most people simply take painkillers for neck pain and carry on, but this does nothing to resolve the underlying situation - and many neck problems will only get worse over time. A Dallas GA chiropractic clinic will do a full examination to discover the cause of your neck pain. It is particularly important to get examined after a low speed auto accident, because whiplash injuries can be asymptomatic for several days.

Chiropractic therapy for this issue often includes hands on manipulation, massage and muscle stimulation, exercise therapy and lifestyle changes to improve the health of the neck and your posture. More often than not, chiropractors will recommend multiple strategies used together. Massage can be especially helpful after a car accident event given that it alleviates stress and anxiety.

After being in an accident, be sure to consult with a chiropractor - a lot of these practitioners offer consultations free of charge to those who have been involved in accidents so that they can quickly share the results of these exams with their lawyers. Chiropractors are also diligent in recorded everything that is needed for supporting injury claims.

Chiropractors go beyond merely alleviating symptoms in order to see the entire problem - as such, all plans of care are different and account for the underlying causes, symptoms and life habits of the individual. If you are currently suffering from neck discomfort, get in touch with a chiropractor now to see how this can be alleviated with out surgical intervention or drugs.

About the Author:

Seek immediate back pain relief by visiting a verified Dallas GA chiropractic clinic. Make an appointment today through this website http://www.YourBackInLineNow.com.

A Literal Pain in the Neck

by Baxter

Brad’s post Probability, Aging and a Pain in the Neck got me thinking about the very common complaint of neck pain that my students often share with me. Neck pain can arise from a myriad of circumstances and causes, from something as commonplace as sleeping the wrong way on your neck to traumatic events such as car accidents. It can be a result of longstanding postural changes, such as sitting with your head forward in front of the computer screen (I just corrected my own posture!) to doing seemingly beneficial activities like riding a road bike, where your head is often lifted into extension to view the road ahead. There are familial tendencies towards certain neck problems; both my dad and one of my brothers suffered rupture of one of the intervertebral discs in the neck. And there is the simple process of aging and its wear and tear effect on the bony structures and soft tissues of the head and neck area. I have even had some one-sided problems that stem from holding a violin tucked under one side of my jaw since I started playing at age five.

According to medical experts at the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of neck pain include: muscle strains, especially from overuse of the neck muscles; wear and tear resulting in osteoarthritis of the bones in the neck; nerve compression as a result of stiffened discs, herniated discs or bone spurs; injuries such as whiplash from car accidents; pain secondary from other illnesses or diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer.

Perhaps part of the reason why the neck is so vulnerable to painful conditions lies in its structure and anatomy. The top portion of the spine is called the cervical spine, and it spans from the top of the thoracic spine, where the ribs attach to the spine, up to the base of the skull.  Relative to the bones below it, the cervical spine vertebrae are smaller and have small cushioning discs between them. Granted, the cervical spine only has to balance the weight of the head above it, so its bones don’t need the bulk of, say, the fifth lumbar vertebrae that has the entire head, torso and belly to hold up. But given the weight of the head, which is between 10-15lbs, and the amount of movement that the cervical spine allows (a lot in all directions), those smaller bones and discs along with all the muscles and ligaments have a constant and challenging task. And there are nerve bundles and important blood vessels traverse this small region that can also be affected if things are not in proper working order.

When I think about how yoga practices can help improve the function of this area, and how they can allow for healthier aging, I start with the most basic posture, Mountain pose or Tadasana. Applying my Prime Directive, the inner lift from the sitting bones to the crown of the head, immediately impacts the postural alignment of the head and neck region for the better! In fact, if you can master this very rudimentary alignment, you are well on your way to improving how the neck feels on a day-to-day basis.

It can be helpful to work with a friend to find out if you can reclaim this vertical line in your body. One way to assess your overall posture and the cervical region in particular is to have your partner stand to one side of you as you do Mountain pose. Have your partner hold a yoga strap or rope in line with the center of your ear, allowing the rest of the strap to fall down to the floor, in line with the side seam of your body. This is referred to as the “plumb line,” and can give you valuable information about not just your neck area, but your entire spine and legs as well. In this case, you are particularly interested in the span between your ear and the center of your upper arm bone. If the rope falls in front of your humerus bone’s center point, you may have developed the Head Forward position so common in our culture, which puts high demands on the muscles at the back of the neck and can lead to overuse neck strain. If the rope falls behind your shoulder point, there may be flattening of your natural cervical curve, which should normally mirror the curve in your lower back. This situation often occurs following trauma to the neck, especially with whiplash injuries accompanied by muscle spasms in the neck. For each of these different scenarios, a well-balanced asana practice can help bring your neck back into healthier alignment and may help to resolve the pain and limitations that are present at the start of your journey.

The next time I revisit the topic of neck pain, we will look at specific asana practices and how they can apply to regaining a healthy neck and maintaining it is you age.  Until then, stand in a good Mountain pose whenever and wherever you can!

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