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| Neck Pain - Exercise: Does It work/Help? |
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Question:
I have found that exercise helped my neck pain a good deal. I was in a car
accident in July, during which I broke three spinal connectors. I didn't
even realize it at the time, but I was hunching my shoulders and curving my
spine in an effort to "protect" the injured area - which caused more pain
than the actual injury!
I went to PT for about five weeks, straightened out my back, learned some
exercises to help strengthen my neck, and I think I would have been in a
lot more pain without the exercises. So yes, I think exercise helps, but
make sure it's properly supervised by a professional.
Answer:
I have had my pain for 13 years. I have used chiropractic help, but it is
only a temporary solution. The best relief I have found is:
1. Yoga
2. Rubbing Aspercreme into the area
3. Infrared heat (through a hand-held unit, usually purchased at health
food stores or through catalogs)
4. Biomagnets help, too, but they are not an overnight process
And it depends on what you call "exercise". If the above doesn't appeal to you, I'd suggest a
visit to a physiotherapist to get a prescribed program
of neck exercises to suit your problem.
Such exercises can help by reducing reactive tension in
the neck muscles, as well as building up the strength
of the muscles supporting the C5/6 area.
It may not make the disc pain go away (OK, it won't),
but you can reduce any secondary pain, and prevent
deterioration.
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