« Home | Next: Discovering Plants »
| Next: In Grandma's Time »
| Next: Cauliflower »
| Next: Nostalgia Galore »
| Next: Cold Remedies »
| Next: Aging In Grace »
| Next: The Opportunity »
| Next: Making Memories »
| Next: A Request And A Need »
| Next: PC Remote Access Comes In Handy »

RA-Related

Policy

Helpful

Recent

Archives





Site Feed: RSS










Saturday, December 12, 2009

A Pain In The Neck

I suspect we all know that a good mattress makes a world of difference in how much sleep you get and how well you sleep. It also determines if you get up with back and/or other joint pain, or if you wake up recuperated, well rested and energetic.

It made me wonder about pillows. I noticed each time I got a new pillow it took getting used to and when it was a bit too thick the muscles in my neck were all sore the next morning. I can only imagine what that must be like if your neck and back are already sore and hurting.

Yep, all those considerations indicated that it was time to satisfy my inquiring mind and here is what I found:

The right pillow can make a difference in your sleeping position and thus can affect how your neck feels the next day, particularly if you are getting over a sprain or strain, which is what whiplash really is.

In selecting a pillow for neck pain, you will need to carefully choose one that fits you. First, look for a pillow that supports your neck but does not tilt your head forward when you are lying on your back. If you sleep on your side, the pillow you choose should support your head in line with your neck, not tilt your head up or down. The pillow should fill just the space between the mattress and your ear.

There are a variety of pillows for neck pain, but you might want to check out some pillows you already have. Feather pillows are particularly good for punching into the shape you want. Also, many people with neck pain find that using extra pillows to support their arms at night makes sleeping more comfortable.

Although your neck pain may have nothing to do with the signs of arthritis your doctor saw on your X-ray, it would be a good idea to ask him about exercises that are good for head and neck posture. Flexibility, strength and posture are important in preventing neck pain and decreasing the risk of injuries whether you have arthritis or not.
~ Arthritis Today.


Neck and back pain can also be a consequence of stress. Relieving the stress is not always easy and it may take a while before the burden is off your shoulders. If you are able then doing some exercises may be of great help and not just when you are stressed out, but all the way around.

When you know you have done all you could do and the burden is still pressing hard on your shoulders, then placing the situation in God's hands is the best thing you can do. Not just in one particular situation, but all the way around!

Matthew 11:29-30
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

3 Comments:

Anonymous Matt said...

Very informative post. Choosing a good neck pillow can help significantly with neck pain or related symptoms.

Another tip I thought I'd note is that I have a family member who used something called -Oil Of Oregano- that helped him with his rheumatoid arthriris.

December 12, 2009 10:29 AM  
Anonymous Neck Exercises said...

Good information and relevant with having a good neck pillow. I find that giving gentle range of motion and exercises help to reduce neck pain. I have found that a combination of memory foam and a regular pillow together works well.

December 12, 2009 11:43 PM  
Blogger Corry said...

Matt,
Thanks for the info on the Oregano Oil. It is something I intend to look into a little deeper.

Neck Exercises,
I would not have considered using both memory foam and a regular pillow. Thanks for the tip!

God's Grace.

December 13, 2009 11:12 AM  

Post a Comment

Copyright © Corryc 2005 - 2014