Neck Traction Remedies for Neck Pain Relief

Neck pain can be debilitating if you have a degeneration in your cervical spine that is causing nerves to be pinched in your neck. Neck stiffness, aching, and shooting pain can sometimes be addressed with tools that stretch your neck out. This is commonly referred to as neck traction, the action of pulling out your neck to create more space for your intervertebral discs that are being compressed from years of poor posture. There are many different units designed for this purpose but you need to shop wisely and consult your healthcare professional for guidance.

Different Neck Traction Devices

To introduce you to the world of neck traction we will briefly go over the various devices available along with their successes and failures. There are at least four different designs that you might come across:

1. Over the Door
2. Air Neck Cushion
3. Pressure Gauge Controlled
4. Inversion table

Over the Door Neck Traction

Using a simple pulley system with a weight at one  end and a harness at the other, this is one the first neck traction designs on the market. It is an awkward operation that involves finding a door that you can safely sit in front of and hang the unit to. A bag that you fill with water to the desired weight is then attached and the user straps in and slowly sits down in a chair. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find the right height of chair.

If and when the user wants to relax the stretch or stop the process, they simply stand up. Controlling the amount of pull can be cumbersome and a lot of pressure is being put on your jaw joints which could pose a different problem down the road for some.

Air Cushion Neck Traction Unit

Almost similar in shape to the air cushions used when flying on an airplane, this neck traction contraption has a hand held pump so you can easily control the amount of air that goes in and out of the cushion. When pumping it up the air makes it taller, so in turn, it pushes against your shoulders, chin, and the back of your head to stretch your head away from your shoulders.

Some people might feel constricted or even choked as it reaches maximum inflation so you may be limited in the amount of stretch. This is built with a material that is prone to get punctured and start leaking so this may not last a lifetime but it usually is very affordable. Be aware that this does put pressure on your jaw which can cause joint injury.

Pressure Gauge Controlled Neck Traction

If you have the money to throw down on a more reliable device then investing in a pressure gauge system will give you more controlled neck traction. These are easier to use because you just lie down in a comfortable position, strap your head in, and pump up the pressure. The gauge then tells you accurately what level you are at so there is no guesswork involved.

These tend to be safe for your jaw joints because they are designed to pull from the base of your neck only. Lying down with your head slightly elevated at a 15 degree angle is going to put you in the most comfortable position for stretching out your neck. Just be aware of how much pressure you are allowed to do for your condition by consulting a physiotherapist or doctor first.

Inversion Table

The name describes how this traction device works, it turns you upside down to stretch your spine. The idea sounds like it would work perfectly but really it ends up being a very uncomfortable position because there is a lot of pressure on your ankles and your blood is rushing to your head.

This unit is going to work your whole body rather than focus on your neck so it may not be what you want at all. Best to save yourself space with this one and not invest in it.

Correcting your posture, resting your neck properly, regularly stretching your neck, and staying active are important to include in your overall neck pain relief plan. Maintain the natural curve of your cervical spine, roll your shoulders back, and keep your ears in alignment with the center of your shoulders. Start using a small rolled up towel in your pillow to support your neck and relax all your muscles. Just sleeping wrong can strain your neck muscles and cause them to seize up.

About the Author

Regina Rain pours her heart into taking care of her spine after a severe back injury three years back. She is devoted to blogging about solutions to neck pain such as with neck traction and simple stretching exercises.

Safe Baby Sleeping with Better Cradles

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When a child enters our life, it brings a number of surprises and challenges, of course not totally unexpected. It is a time when couples are happy, excited and embark on a new chapter of their journey together. They try to raise their babies in the best way possible. They start planning for the baby and thinking about its future. Parents start dreaming about their babies growing into a fine young man or woman and achieving great things in life. However, coming back to the process of raising a baby, you have to be caring and as soft as possible because they are very sensitive.

A proper sleeping routine is one of the most important things that you should remember while raising a baby. A baby needs a good amount of sleep accompanied by a proper feeding. Though there is no particular sleeping hours for a baby, they usually sleep long hours in a day. Some might sleep for really long hours while others hardly sleep at all, but this is all perfectly normal among babies. The sign of a baby getting enough sleep is its being happy and cheerful when awake. If the baby is grumpy and unhappy while it’s awake, then it might be due to lack of sleep. Every baby has a different sleep pattern but parents should ensure that it gets sufficient sleep.

The average number of hours of sleep that babies need may differ according to their month and age. There are some sleeping problems that are associated with babies and you should help them avoid it by creating an effective schedule. Establishing good sleeping habits goes a long way in ensuring that your baby grows up happily and without any issues. Breastfeeding is important for the growth and development of the baby. It is a known fact that babies who sleep with their mothers get more amount of breastfeeding and also continue to get it for a longer time.

However, it is a better idea to let babies sleep alone to avoid sleep accidents like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which are at the greatest risk during two to three months of age. At this age it is best to let the baby sleep near the mother but separately on a cradle. This allows the baby to sleep separately in peace while the mother can also look after it.

A cradle is one of the most important things to have while raising a baby. It is basically a special bed designed for babies to sleep, from the time they are born until they grow out of infancy. The most important feature of a cradle is the safety envelope that is formed around the bed. It provides comfort, protection and freedom to the baby to enjoy its naps. Infants can also play in them as they can be decorated with toy hangers and soft toys.

There are two main types of cradles that are available in the market – stationary and portable cradles. While the stationary ones are mostly made of wood and are designed to be placed in the bedrooms, the portable ones can be moved around and are made of light metals with padding around the area that is in contact with the baby. The portable cradles are more popular nowadays due to their convenience and the useful features that accompany them.

Majority of the portable cradles are designed in such a way that you can dismantle them easily and folded, so that they do not require much space while storing. The height of these cradles can also be adjusted into different heights to suit the parents or the baby. There is also swing locking facility that allows you to keep the cradle from rocking while the baby is asleep so that it is not disturbed, and also ensures safety of the kid when you are not around. Some of them have their own mosquito nets, which are very important to keep the baby safe from mosquitoes and other insects that can harm it. The fabrics used are selected from the most baby friendly materials and you can rest assured that your baby will sleep soundly and happily in these cradles.

Some of the more trusted names in baby cradles are Mothertouch, New Natraj, Infanto and MeeMee among others. Let your child enjoy the comforts of sleeping in its own bed, independently. Lull the baby to sleep by singing sweet songs while rocking the cradle. Decorate the cradle with adorable toys and musical hangers to make it a lovely cocoon for the baby.

Resource Box:

Divya Kumari is a author who is interested in writing on topics related to baby care, family & parenting tips. In this article she has explained about baby sleeping & benefits of baby cradles which is a special bed designed for babies to sleep. I am a mother of 4 years old daughter & has the hobby of traveling, meeting people & reading books related to baby care.

Would you know if you were suffering from RSI?

Repetitive strain injury is a combination of repetitive movements; poor posture and the overuse of computers without taking rest breaks. It causes injury to the nerves, muscles and tendons, this can occur in the neck, wrist, arms, elbows and shoulders; which can be very serious if left. Unfortunately we all have bad habits in the way we sit, and hold the telephone and even type on the computer.

Symptoms

It is difficult to know what the symptoms are, however it is very important to take action as soon as possible. Early symptoms can include:

• Mild tingling
• Aches
• Twinges in your neck or fingers, hands and arms

If you are suffering from any of this type of pain then don’t hesitate to go and see your doctor as ignoring this pain will only make it worse!

Checklist

You need to be taking regular breaks at least every half an hour to rest, try to keep your back as straight as possible and stretching out your arms. Try hard not to hunch over your computer; your arms should be at a right angle when typing. Beware that computers and laptops force the hands into a claw position and so it’s very important to wiggle your fingers and stretch them often. Is your monitor straight in front of you to avoid glare and reflection? Is there enough room on your desk for you to use your mouse freely instead of “mouse arm” which causes stiffness, numbness and pain?

Celebrities get it too!

In 2006 Noel Edmonds suffered from repetitive strain injury because he had to keep picking up the phone on his show aired on Channel 4 game show, Deal or No Deal. His consultant has said that it must have been caused by him repeatedly answering the telephone. 

The answer

Wireless headsets are the answer! Not only does a headset help you avoid physical ailments, they also increase your work productivity. Many studies have proved that instead of holding phone frees up a hand and can improve your productivity by 43%!

Did you know that headsets will reduce unnecessary back pain and fatigue caused by cradling the phone on your shoulder? By using it as a part of your daily routine it will make your work routine easier, improve your posture and on top of this you will feel more active and refreshed at the end of the day.

Health benefits

1. Improved posture:

Improved posture can cause less pain as your posture is instantly improved.

2. Higher productivity:

A handset not only practices safer ergonomics, it also can reduce stress by increasing your productivity.

3. You can move:

By using a telephone handset, it creates mobility whilst being able to roam over 400 feet. Even if you walk around the office and grab a coffee with the noise cancelling technology!

Obviously it can be a worry that a headset isn’t healthy and that it can even causer something as harmful as cancer. The facts are that the frequency is so low that it has been proven to be safe. Both doctors and scientist have deemed wireless headset safe for all consumers and no links to any type of cancer have been made.

Bio: Business owner, marketing expert and writer Karen James has always been conscious of her business calls and as her businesses have grown she has sought guidance from one of the best phone answering services; 1^stResponse,  experts in their field. When Karen is reassured her business calls are taken care of, she likes nothing better than long walks with her dogs or weekends by the sea with her grandchildren.

Try This for Avoiding Blackheads on Nose

Blackheads on Nose

Blackheads are not really a product of the dirt that you failed to wash out from your face. Just like other acne problems, this is a condition that is caused by the clogging of pores in your nose area. You would easily determine that you have blackheads when you see the dark spots in the surface of your nose.

There are different factors that can cause blackheads. Here are the most common ones:

• The products that you apply in your face. There are some products that can cause the clogging of pores that can then lead to the presence of dark spots in your nose. These products are usually those that come with artificial fragrance and color. You have to understand that the nose is one of the parts of the face where most of the oil is secreted. This is the reason why clogging of pores may often occur in the area.

• Hormonal changes. There is a certain period in your life when your hormones are affecting not only your emotions and the way you perceive things but also the condition of your skin. For women who are on their early adulthood, acne and other conditions like blackheads are at its peak. This happens around age twenty. With this, the best thing that you can do is to avoid the activities and the food that can worsen the condition.

• Sweat and makeup. This is something that you cannot avoid especially when you are the type of person who has a very active lifestyle. There are different activities that can make you perspire. When you workout, sweat will surely be evident all over your body. And what can make the situation worse is when you are wearing make up. The combination of sweat and make up can cause the clogging of pores and will then be a reason why a blackhead is going to be developed in the nose.

• Some medicines that you take. There are other factors that are hard to avoid because they are part of the things that you use to make yourself healthy. There are some medicines that can cause this condition and that include estrogen, steroids, phenytoin and testosterone.

• Oily food consumption. The food that you eat can also be one of the culprits that cause blackheads. This is the reason why you need to check the content of the food that you are eating before consuming it.

Now that you are already aware about the different factors that may cause blackheads, you have to know that this condition can be treated and avoided. Here are some of the most important points on how to get rid of blackheads on nose:

• Washing the face. You have to make sure that you are washing your face twice a day in order to lessen the amount of oil and dirt that can linger in your skin. You should not forget to wash your face after a long day of wearing makeup.

• Choose your food. One of the causes that are listed above is the consumption of oily food. You have to avoid eating this type of food and focus on fresh and natural food like vegetable and fruits instead. This will not only help you avoid the clogging of pores but will also help you maintain a healthy skin.

• Choose the products you use. When you are putting cream or lotion on your face, make sure that you are choosing the product with lesser oil. And you should also consider cleaning up your face before going to bed.

• Use facial cleanser. There are helpful products that can relieve you from this condition. All you need to do is to ask the help of the dermatologist for you to know the perfect facial cleanser that you can use for your face.

• Choose the best facial cleaner. Make sure that you are getting the perfect one because this product may cause irritation if your skin is very sensitive.

• Consider light makeup. When you are going out, you should consider a not so heavy makeup to avoid irritation in the skin that may be the reason for you to have clogged pores.

• Clean your face. You can use tissue to wipe your face and your nose in order to avoid clogging because of excess oil in the skin.

With the preventive measures that are given above, cleanliness is the best idea that can help you get away from having a blackhead.

Everything You Need To Know About Tooth Extraction

When we were kids, losing a tooth was not a big deal. We used to get assurance from people around us that, losing a tooth is normal and pretty soon we will have a new one, filling the gap. In our younger years, tooth loss was n

Tooth Extraction

atural as it replaced the baby teeth with permanent teeth. As an adult, however, losing one or several of our permanent teeth is certainly undesirable. Why would anyone want to lose his or her permanent teeth? The unfortunate fact, however, is that sometimes a tooth extraction or forcefully removing a tooth is necessary.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

Permanent teeth are meant to last for a lifetime; however, there are a few serious reasons why tooth extraction may be necessary. One very common reason for tooth extraction includes a tooth that is very badly damaged, from decay or trauma, and cannot be repaired. Some other reasons for tooth extraction include:

• Infection: If tooth decay spreads to the pulp(the center part of the tooth, comprising tissues and cells), germs present in the mouth can enter the pulp, leading to oral infection. To cure this, dentists often provide root canal treatment. If, however, the infection is too serious that even root canal treatment cannot cure it, then tooth extraction is the only way to inhibit the spread of infection.
• Crowded mouth:Dentists sometimes extract teeth to prepare or ready the mouth for orthodontic treatment. The aim of orthodontic treatment is to align the misaligned teeth; however, the dentist may not be able to provide the treatment ifsome teeth are unusually big in your mouth. Therefore, dentists will extract the big teeth in order to align other teeth properly.
• Gum Disease:Gum disease or periodontal disease infects the bones and tissues that support the teeth. This disease often causes loosening of teeth, which may require extraction.

Tooth Extraction Process

For tooth extraction, your dentist is the right person you should visit. Before the extraction process begins, your dentist will provide you anesthetic in the form of injection. He or she will inoculate a local anesthetic on the area surrounding the tooth that needs to be removed.The purpose of this is to numb that area. If more than one tooth needs extraction, your dentist may use a strong anesthetic. Your dentist may also give you sedatives, through either medication or IV (intravenous), to ease your anxiety. These anesthetics and sedatives will prevent pain and make you sleep through the entire procedure.

For tooth extraction, your dentist will cut-away the gum and bone tissue of the damaged tooth. Then, using dental forceps, he or she will grip the tooth and in a gentle manner, loosen it from the jawbone that holds it in place. For an impacted tooth, your dentist will sometimes need to remove it in pieces.

After the extraction, a blood clot normally forms in the socket of the extracted tooth. Your dentist will place a gauze into the tooth socket and tell you bite down on it. This is to help stop the oozing blood. The dentist, sometimes, will also place a few stitches (self-dissolving stitches) to seal the gum edges over the extraction spot.

Aftercare

Following the tooth extraction procedure, your dentistwill send you to your home to recuperate. It normally takes a few days for the recovery. Here are certain things that can help reduce discomfort, reduce any risk of infection, and quick recovery.

• Take prescribed medication regularly.
• Firmly, yet gently bite the gauze that your dentist has placed over the tooth socket. It helps control bleeding and permits a clot to form properly in the socket. Before it is completely soaked with blood, change the gauze.
• After the procedure, immediately apply some ice to the jaw (to the portion outside tooth extraction spot). It will keep down the swelling. Apply ice for no more than 10 minutes at a time.
• Following the extraction, relax for at least 24 hours. Further, limit your activity for the next couple of days.
• Try not to rinse or spit forcefully for the entire day after the procedure. This will prevent dislodging of the clot, which forms inthe tooth socket.
• Next day after the extraction, rinse your mouth with a cup of warm water that has 1/2 a teaspoon salt, added.
• Do not smoke. It will inhibit healing.
• Eat only soft foods for the next 2 days. Later, as the extraction spot heals, you can start consuming solid foods.
• Continue your routine brushing and flossing; however, be sure to avoid the extraction spot. This will help prevent infection.

When the anesthesia wears off, it is normal to feel some pain. For about 24 hours after the tooth extraction, expect some swelling and residual bleeding. If, however, the pain or bleeding is severe for more than 4 hours after tooth extraction, call your dentist. You must also call your dentist if you experience any of the following:

• Vomiting or nausea
• Shortness of breath, cough, or chest pain
• Excessive swelling or redness in the affected area
• Signs of infection, including chills and fever

If your tooth is badly damaged and cannot be repaired, it is wise to get it removed. This will prevent the other teeth coming in harm’s way. If you are in Carlisle, PA, Flenniken Family Dentistry (well-known dentists in Pennsylvania) can help with tooth extraction. They are licensed, experienced, and have all the latest tools and equipment to provide a comprehensive dental care. Dentists at Flenniken Family Dentistry even utilize sedation dentistry that enables pain free dental treatments. Whether it is tooth extraction or any other general or cosmetic dental treatment, at Flenniken Family Dentistry, you can expect an exceptional level of care and attention.

About the Author:               

Katherine Morgan is a professional writer and passionate guest author.  Shewrites article on different topic such provide information about cosmetic dentist, Sedation Dentistry, Dentures, Tooth Extraction, and other dental care treatments.

BABY WIPES – CLEAN ALMOST ANYTHING

baby wipes

Wet wipes are a piece of wet cloth or paper and are infused with lotion or sanitizers. Most wet wipes are individually packed and are folded. They are technically used for cleaning purposes and are extremely useful for day-to-day purposes. The concept of baby wipes are also developed from the idea of wet wipes and are in greatly in demand by mothers of infants and toddlers. Rejecting the notion that baby wipes can be used only on babies, we go on to explore how else and where else wipes can be used to their complete benefit.

1.) However, what is interesting to note is that the versatility offered by baby wipes make them, an instant go-to choice for cleaning almost anything in and around the house. Starting with the fact that a baby’s bottom is gentle and prone to rashes, baby wipes are an instant option as they not only effectively clean poop, they also contain mild lotion so that your baby’s skin is moisturized in the process. Apart from their handling their bowel movements effectively, wipes are also an excellent tool to remove vomit stains, either from clothes or from your skin. The unpleasant odor left behind is instantly removed if used immediately.

2.) Moving on from baby-specific uses, there are also hundreds of other uses for baby wipes. Now this should make women sit up and take notice as baby wipes are great for wiping thick eye makeup, foundation, rouge and lipstick stains, either from skin or from clothes. Therefore, it’s always suggested that you carry a small pack of baby wipes in your kitty bag for all those last minute emergencies or just before you wish to freshen up from old makeup residue. If you’re wondering how safe baby wipes are, you don’t have to ponder the implications as baby wipes are always safe, tested and hygienic because they need to be primarily used against your little one’s fragile and delicate soft skin. Therefore, if wipes are harmless against babies, they are certainly skin and product friendly too.

3.) Baby wipes are extremely useful when you wish to get rid of dust covered layers, grime, oil, sand, residue from liquid substances either from your wooden, steel surfaces or from your own hands. This is specially useful when you need to clean your computer screen, the keypad and the mouse which tend to accumulate dirt quicker than usual. A pack of baby wipes can also be kept on the dashboard of your car as they can effectively remove oil from the steering wheel, handles and seat belts. Any food spillage in the car can also be cleaned with wipes. When you’re heading outdoors, you can easily remove dirt from your non-leather or non-suede shoes and ash flakes on your clothes. And if you’re specifically the type who obsesses over cleanliness in public toilets, baby wipes can be used to clean the handles, the light switch toggle and face plate. Most importantly, dry baby wipes are useful if you discover, much to your horror, that the loo has no toilet paper.

4.) In the kitchen, baby wipes come in handy for anything ranging from unsightly tea splatters, as a faucet cleaner, removing cobwebs that accumulate on broom bristles, stains on the ceramic tile floors, grime buildup on cabinet doors and beet juice stains. Before having a meal, baby wipes are an effective tool to clean up the surface such as tables or seats. In any instance, dry baby wipes can also be used as the same way paper towels are used such as dinner napkins or as after meal tissues. Wipes are also extremely functional when you have huge parties and need to clean up afterwards. Spilt juice, glitter on surfaces, party foam spray from clothes and hair, makeup and food stain removal from cloth, crayon marks on the wall by kids and marker imprints. With a pack of dry or wet baby wipes in your bag, you’ll never be disappointed for carrying it around, especially if you are a cleanliness freak and always on the move. Believe it, they’re handy and almost vital in your kitty bag.

Author:

I Divya Kumari is a author who is interested in writing on topics related to baby care, family & parenting tips. In this article I have explained common uses of baby wipes. I am a mother of 4 years old daughter & enjoys reading, writing, socializing and traveling.

Filter your Water: Your Health Depends on It!

Nothing refreshes like pure, clean water. However, there are many common impurities that find their way into our water, affecting not only the flavor, but the health of the drinker as well.Although the EPA sets standards for clean drinking water, manmade and naturally occurring elements and compounds can still find their way into our water. For this reason, people should research filtration options for themselves and their families. Here are some of the most common impurities that are found in unfiltered and untreated water, especially well water:

• Cryptosporidium
This parasite might be familiar to you. It causes diarrhea, and is commonly encountered by people who fail to boil water found in streams and rivers. However, it can also be encountered in municipal water supplies if water is not properly treated.

• Nitrates and nitrites
Nitrates are chemicals that are used in the production of fertilizers. When they enter the body, they turn into nitrites and can cause stomach problems. Babies are especially at risk for illness due to nitrites, commonly causing an illness called blue baby syndrome. Nitrates can be removed from water withthe use of ion exchange filters or distillation.

• Pesticides
There are tens of thousands of different pesticides, all of which can find their way into drinking water, especially for rural people who may live near farms. Pesticides cause all sorts of health problems, including birth defects, liver damage, and even some cancers. Reverse osmosis is a good start when dealing with pesticide removal, but more intensive filtration may be required, depending on the amount of pesticide in your water supply.

• Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that has no smell or taste and is created when uranium decays in the ground. Radon gas can be very toxic to humans (and is the substance that killed Marie Curie) so it’s important to have your water tested for it. Radon can cause cancer, so if you suspect that your water may come from an underground source, call your water company ask if the water is tested for radon.

• Sulfur
Sulfur is a naturally occurring element that smells strongly of rotten eggs and is one of the primary ingredients in dynamite. Sulfur is easily removed through the use of reverse osmosis. Commonly, well owners are the ones most susceptible to increased levels of sulfur, due to veins of sulfur naturally occurring in the earth. Although small amounts of sulfur are beneficial to humans (and are even found in many of the foods we eat,) large amounts can cause diarrhea and dehydration.

• Tannins
Wine drinkers have heard of tannins before; they are the substance that gives new wine its “pucker” taste. Tannins are harmless, but they can discolor water and even stain your clothes while they are being washed. Like sulfur, well water drinkers are more likely to encounter tannins. Tannins can be removed easily by the use of special filters.

Because these contaminants might need different technologies to remove them from water, have your water tested for impurities before engaging in a specific treatment method. What works for cryptosporidium doesn’t work for tannin removal, and vice versa, so it’s important to know exactly what’s in your water. Also, please consider investing in a water treatment system. Plumbers typically offer filtration systems of all kinds specially tailored to the impurity present in your water.

Cammie Channing is a dental hygienist and health writer from Tucson, Arizona. She loves writing about dentistry, general health, and weight loss.