Is It Time to See a Doctor About Your Neck Pain?

In our modern times, where we are constantly required to sit for the vast majority of our day, it is extremely common to experience pain and tension in the neck. Usually this strain and tension will go away within a few days and does not require a doctor’s attention. If you are seeking neck pain relief, you have come to the right place. Consider this your guide to treating your neck pain and getting the medical attention you need.

If your neck pain is fairly recent, for instance if it is caused from a hard workout or from a sedentary lifestyle, the following are a couple of self-care remedies for treating neck pain.

Massage – Even if you cannot talk a friend or family member into giving you a neck and shoulder rub, it is fairly easy to massage the sore places on your neck yourself.

Ice and Heat Cycles – Alternating with an ice pack and a heating pad, or frozen peas and a hot shower or bath is an ideal way to relax your tight and strained muscles.

Stretching and Strengthening – Tension in the neck can often be relieved by stretching the neck from the front, back and sides. If you spend a lot of your time sitting, you may be suffering from forward head, which may require you to strengthen the neck muscles.

One of the best ways to do this is to perform the superman exercise. Simply lie facedown with your hands above your head. Contract your neck and back muscles to raise your feet and hands off the ground. Hold the contraction for 3-5 seconds, and then release. Repeat for 5-10 repetitions.

When to See a Doctor

You need to schedule an appointment with your doctor if you experience neck pain that does not get better after using any of the at-home remedies above, or if your symptoms last for longer than a few weeks. Additionally, if the pain radiates down your arms, torso, and legs it could be a signal of a deeper underlying heart problem.

For more information on how to find neck pain relief through osteopathic treatment, go to DrMcReynolds.com now!

A Brief Introduction to Cranial Manipulation for Infants

It is common for people to believe that infants should not have any stress or strain on their bodies, due to their youth. However, in truth, being born can be one of the most physically stressful events the human body will ever experience. The baby’s body is subject to large amounts of force as the uterus pushes the baby through the birth canal. Cranial manipulation for infants is one way many parents elect to alleviate your baby’s bodily stresses.

During birth, a baby twists and turns its way through the bony structures of the pelvis. The baby’s skull is soft to accommodate this journey, allowing the soft bones of the skull to overlap and reduce the size of the head. It is not uncommon for the bones in the skull to bend and warp slightly as the baby exits the birth canal.

Often this journey results in babies being born with a slightly odd shaped head. Over the first few days of the baby’s life, his or her head will gradually begin to lose its molded shape as the baby cries, yawns, and suckles. However, at times, this process is incomplete, particularly if the birth required assistance from forceps or a ventouse.

As a result of this inability to restore the skull to a normal shape, some babies are required to live with some uncomfortable stresses within their head and body. While some babies can cope well even with severe retained molding and compression of the skull, others require special treatment to help restore their skulls to a normal shape.

An osteopathic physician can treat these symptoms using cranial manipulation. The baby’s skull will be gently massaged in a manner that has been proven time and again to be safe and effective. Very specific, light pressure is applied where necessary to alleviate tension in the skull and body. To find out more about cranial manipulation for your infant, go to DrMcReynolds.com today!

Can You Do Anything About Your Chronic Sinus Infections?

Typically an osteopath is called upon for musculoskeletal pains and aches, but one thing many people does not usually think of visiting an osteopathic physician for is chronic sinus infections. If you are suffering from painful sinuses, headaches, and face pain, visiting an osteopathic doctor may be just the trick for relieving your sinus infection symptoms.

What is a sinus infection?

First of all, it is important to understand what a sinus infection is and how it develops. The sinuses are cavities occurring in the skull, in the area between the eyes and directly below the eyes. When these cavities become blocked and are not allowed to drain properly, they become clogged with mucus, which can become infected given enough time.

How does cranial manipulation relieve congestion?

One of the key principles of osteopathy is that the bones in the skull are not fused in place, but instead are designed for to accommodate very small movements. Although these bones only travel within a few millimeters, this ability to flex and contract is important for your overall health. Some of these small bones can act like plungers on the sinuses to alleviate and redistribute some of the pressure.

When the mucus accumulates in the sinuses congesting them to the point of being unable to drain. When this happens, the pressure causes the bones of the skull to become rigid and unable to move. This diminished movement of the skull bones may not be a problem at first, when an upper respiratory infection overwhelms your sinuses ability to drain, it can cause intense pain and pressure.  

An osteopathic physician will gently massage your skull, releasing the pressure and restoring the normal range of motion to the bones of the head. Once normal motion is restored, the bones can be used like a plunger through cranial manipulation to drain the sinuses, increase blood flow, and speed healing.

To find out more about how to relieve your chronic sinus infections, click here!