Headaches can come on for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a loud noise that is constant will trigger it, sometimes sleeping on a new pillow will trigger it. Other times, eating certain foods or taking certain medications will trigger it. This particular study looked at headaches that originate from the cervical spine or the neck. This is called a cervicogenic headache. How is that defined?
Well, the International Classification of Headache Disorders defines cervicogenic headache as, “headache caused by a disorder of the cervical spine and its component bony, disc, and/or soft tissue elements, usually but not invariably accompanied by neck pain.”
About 0.4% to 20% of the population reports this type of headache. It often occurs in patients with a whiplash type of injury. A cervicogenic type of headache usually shows pain on one side, decrease in motion of the neck, pain when you press on upper neck area (suboccipital muscles), and pain with certain movements of the neck.
This study has 130 participants with cervicogenic headaches. The researchers wanted to compare two treatments: Chiropractic vs Mobilization/Exercises.
The study showed that after 6 - 8 sessions of neck and mid back adjustments, there was a greater reduction in headache intensity, frequency and duration vs just doing a mobilization and exercise regimen. Furthermore, the researchers noted that the benefits of chiropractic maniupulation still persisted when the patients were re-evaluated 3 months later.
In our last post we discussed the many ways you can get a stiff neck as well as the muscles that are usually involved when a stiff neck occurs. We also started our list on how to naturally treat a stiff neck. 1. Doing Neck Exercises and 2. Using hot and cold therapy effectively. Lets continue the discussion on how to naturally treat a stiff neck...You might be surprised at all the different treatment options.
Work on Muscle Spasms of the Neck
Using a Tens Electrotherapy for neck pain relief
For treatment of a stiff neck, look to work on painful muscle spasms and trigger points in the neck and upper back area. Using a tens unit can help you get neck pain relief. A portable tens electrotherapy unit is a pocket size, battery-operated device that sends electrical impulses to certain parts of the body to block pain signals.Use it on your upper trapezius, lower cervical paraspinals musces. What does "T.E.N.S" stand for? Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.
Great for treating muscle spasm, muscle soreness and stiffness. The electrical currents produced by the TENS unit are mild and can prevent pain messages from being transmitted to the brain and may raise the level of endorphins (natural pain killers produced by the brain). Also you can use a tens unit in conjunction with other therapies that we have discussed in treating a stiff neck: a hot moist pack and also neck exercises.
You can buy an Analog Tens Unit or A Digital Tens Unit. The tens unit kit comes with electrodes, and you can buy more if needed as well. Arc4life even sells the lead wires in case you need them one day. Simple to use, all you need is a 9V battery.
One more Thing to Help with a Stiff Neck
The Magic Green Gel: Biofreeze Natural Pain Relief Gel
a great pain relief Gel to help take the pain away
works extra well with an ice pack
great for when you travel, and you need a fast remedy for neck pain
i recommend you do some muscle massage when you apply the biofreeze
You can do all the right things for the best sleep possible, but without the right neck pillow it is going to be difficult.
Sleep with good neck posture at night
Using a supportive Neck Pillow at Night Can Prevent a Stiff Neck
There are many supportive neck pillows on the market today. Your goal when sleeping is to ensure that your head and neck are aligned during sleep. Imagine taking a towel and rolling it up in a cylinder (see YouTube Video Below). Your neck has a natural "C"curve that should be maintained during sleep. You can do that with a cervical support neck pillow as the linear gravity neck pillow by Arc4life.com.
Arc4life's linear gravity support neck pillow comes in 3 different sizes:
Some people think that because they sleep on a king size bed, they should use a king size pillow. This is a big NO-NO ! Imagine a small female 5"2 in height using a pillow that is king size. That is grounds for neck pain and a stiff neck the next morning. So choose your cervical support pillow based on your height, weight and what your preferences are. The linear gravity neck pillow allows you to get the right size pillow for your neck, to prevent a stiff neck the next morning.
A note about choosing a pillow to sleep on.
Using the wrong pillow at night can cause a stiff neck. Not getting enough support in your neck can cause the muscles in your neck and upper back to tightness up and spasm. Choose the size of your pillow based on your height and weight.
A Cost Effective Neck Stretcher to Help Take Away the Aches and Pains
Great for Neck Pain, Stiff Neck and Muscle Spasms
The Real Neck Ease Stretcher Works to Stretch your neck and Shoulder Muscles. Imagine someone holding your neck and giving you gentle stretch. There are many benefits to using this traction device:
the real neck ease cradles your neck at the base of your skull
helps to release muscle tension and tightness in the neck, shoulders and jaw
helps to restore the normal curve in the neck
use for 10-15 minutes / day a few times a week for pain relief and stretching
great for chronic neck pain
great for headaches especially migraine and tension
How to Create A Towel Roll for Neck Support Prevent a Stiff Neck, have good neck alignment with using this support pillow
