Do Hot Packs help with Neck Pain?

Do Hot Packs help with Neck Pain?
If you are a working mum who suffers from neck pain and has a busy life at home and at work, you may be looking for a quick fix for your neck pain. Heat has been commonly used for centuries to help with pain relief.
In this blog lets discuss if a hot pack really helps with neck pain and how to decide if it is the right for your neck pain as compared to a cold pack ...
Read more...

How do you know if you have a Cervicogenic (Cervical) Headache?

How do you know if you have a Cervicogenic (Cervical) Headache?
Are you experiencing recurring headaches that seem to originate from the neck area? If so, you might be dealing with a cervicogenic headache. Although it can be quite bothersome, understanding its symptoms can help you identify and address the issue effectively. In this blog, lets discuss how can you know if you are suffering from a Cervicogenic or Cervical Headache. 
 
Our cervical spine is made up of seven vertebra that can be roughly divided into an upper and lower portion. Between every two vertebra there are nerves exiting the spine on the right and left. These nerves supply different parts of the body. When the upper to mid cervical spine is affected and this irritates the nerves in the area it can manifest as a cervicogenic headache
 
Cervicogenic headaches have some typical characteristics that can help you to determine if your headache is originating in the neck or the Cervical spine. Here are some common signs to look out for:
 
1. Pain can be dull, achy or sharp, depending on the fibres of the nerves that are being compressed. The symptoms of Cervicogenic headache; ie, nerve pain can vary from person to person or even from one episode of pain to the other

2. The headache usually starts as a stiffness or pain in the upper part of the neck and goes up from the back to the top of the head. It can also spread to the side of the head, temple and behind the eye. Sometimes it can also be felt as pain or pulling sensation at the back of the eyes and the TMJ or jaw joint due to the tightness or spasm in the muscles around the cheek and the TMJ. 

3. Cervicogenic headaches manifests as pain on one side of the head as it is dependent on the nerve that is being compressed on that side of the neck. It does not move from one side of the head to the other, unlike a tension headache that is usually felt on the full forehead or a migraine headache which is more diffuse and is felt like a pounding pain over the whole head. Cervicogenic headaches can be double sided if nerves on both sides of the neck are involved but the two sides are usually independent of each other and symptoms and severity on both sides can differ. 

4.Neck pain and stiffness maybe associated with cervicogenic headaches. You might experience discomfort, tightness, or reduced range of motion in your neck. This is especially evident as you look over your shoulder when driving or turning your head to look behind you or when you tilt your head to your shoulder. 

5. Cervicogenic headaches can be triggered by specific movements or positions, such as  rotating or sudden jerking motions, as well as maintaining a static position for an extended time. 

6. Factors that aggravate or increase the neck pain such as poor posture, prolonged sitting at desks or repetitive movements of the neck, physical stress that leads to shoulder stiffness will tend to increase the headache and those that relieve the neck pain such as hot or cold packs, exercise, TENS machine will reduce the headache too.

Poor postures are a very common cause of Cervicogenic Headaches and Neck Pain, specially for those who spend long time sitting at their desk or work with computers. HERE is a free guide on "How to maintain a good posture while working from home"

If you like this blog and want to be notified about new blogs as soon as they are published, subscribe to my mailing list below.
   
I would love to see you around the internet! For other places you can explore more about me: https://withswati.com/page/link

Can massage help to reduce Back Pain?

Can massage help to reduce Back Pain?
Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors such as muscle tension, poor posture, and stress. There are many ways to manage your back pain, massage being one of them. In this blog we will look at how massage can help with back pain and some tips for you to choose your massage wisely ....
Read more...

4 simple tips to prevent Slouching when driving

4 simple tips to prevent Slouching when driving
As a working mum we wear different hats through the day, whether it’s at work or with our kids. One of these is driving your kids to and from classes or doing the school run or driving to work yourself. As a busy mum you maybe spending a good amount of time sitting in your car on an everyday basis. 
Have you ever noticed your posture when you are driving? Most mums in the drivers seat are slouched over the steering wheel from their mid back or the lower back. The same is applicable for mum who sit for long hours at work plus travel for work, sit with their kids, especially those of us with younger kids 
Lets discuss four simple tips that you can implement today to stop slouching when driving ....
Read more...

Where is Stress-Related Pain and Muscle Tension felt?

Where is Stress-Related Pain and Muscle Tension felt?
If you are a mom of younger kids, working in a high stress executive job, feeling the weight of mental stress or anxiety, you are not alone. Between juggling various responsibilities, work hours, taking care of your family, and managing your own well-being, it's common to feel overwhelmed and stressed. But mental stress can have an effect on your immune system, sleep pattern, gut health and can even manifest as muscle tension or tightness, pain or soreness. This can be seen as a new area of pain or a flare up of pre existing muscle pain or conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc. Interestingly stress can also reduce your pain threshold, leading to a higher perceived pain level. Though stress can manifest as pain and muscle tension throughout the body, but it tends to manifest more in some specific areas. In this blog lets discuss more about these pains and where they are felt in the body. Once you are able to identify that your pain is caused due to mental stress or anxiety you will be able to address the root cause and manage it better ....
Read more...
 
Read Older Updates Read Newer Updates