Hands-On Update
May 2010, Issue 4 |
 3 Ways to
Prevent Neck Pain
Prevention and early intervention is the key
Neck pain can be very disabling especially when it affects your mobility and ability to concentrate during the day. Quite
often the cumulative effects of faulty head posture, excessive
reading and computer work or stomach sleeping can cause fatigue of the
postural muscles or stretch to the joint capsules.
Evidence suggests that manual therapy used early can help reduce the symptoms. This can include joint mobilization, traction and soft tissue releases to allow the joints and muscles to move without pain.
To prevent acute neck pain, follow these three steps:
1. Avoid stomach sleeping since your head will be excessively turned to allow breathing while sleeping.
2. Tuck your chin in and maintain an upright sitting posture throughout the day. Use a towel roll or cushion to support the lower back, which will keep your head in a neutral potion.
3. Every hour or two, look up toward the ceiling with your fingers supporting the base of your neck. This intermittent neck extension will reduce the cumulative effects of faulty posture throughout the day.
|
click on image to watch the show |
The Importance of Proper Footcare
with Dr. Veronica Wolf, DPM
Learn about proper footcare and why it's important to see a podiatrist. Dr. Wolf appears on "You and Your Health," my monthly talk show, to discuss various conditions that require the care of a podiatrist and ways to prevent small problems from becoming major concerns. |
