Text neck, Tech neck and Chiropractic care by Dr Carrie Staller

Hi Everyone!

Check out the latest blog article from me at the Heart Spring Health blog! 

Please send to anyone you know who may be experiencing unnecessary headaches, neck and back pain, or numbness/tingling/weakness or pain down the arms or into the hands. 

"All that texting is taking its toll on our bodies, leading to a new condition that’s afflicting an increasing number of mobile users. Known as text neck, or tech neck, it can strike anyone who uses technology that forces the head down for long periods of time, causing chronic pain and even premature arthritis."

And as always, you can contact Heart Spring Health at 503-956-9396 to set up an appointment with me.

Happy Wednesday!

Dr Carrie

Cervicogenic Headaches: Could your headaches be a pain in your neck?

Hi Everyone!

Check out my latest blog article on the Heart Spring Health blog. It's all about Cervicogenic headaches, which are headaches that can be coming from your neck.

Chiropractic care is *amazing* for managing cervicogenic headaches. 

Stop reaching for those aspirin, and come see me at Heart Spring Health today! Let's get those headaches gone for good. 

Stretch of the week (aka: Tight muscles, be gone!) Neck AND Upper Back

I see it all the time: people massaging the side of their neck trying to provide some temporary relief from the soreness that slowly gets worse as the day goes on. Anyone who spends more than 30 minutes at a time sitting in one spot—whether  you’re driving, working on the computer, studying, or doing general desk work – knows what I’m talking about.

Have you ever asked yourself if you’re targeting the right spot? Sometimes, when your neck is sore, the pain might also be coming from somewhere else. ..like your upper back! It’s very common for tight muscles in the upper back to refer pain into your neck and shoulders, and they can even cause headaches!

Here’s an easy modification you can make to a simple stretch that will help you target a problem area in your upper back:

Place your right hand on the left side of your head and gently pull your neck toward the right. This will stretch the left side of your neck. Repeat on the right.

**BONUS MODIFICATION** 

Image:highpointwellness.wordpress.com

After doing the stretch described above, shift the direction of your stretch by pulling your head slightly forward and to the right to stretch your left upper back area. Repeat the stretch on the left.

You’ll be surprised by how much relief you can get from this one simple stretch!

One important thing to remember: Tight muscles are tight for a reason. If muscle tension is caused by poor posture, stress, or a muscle imbalance, the pain in your neck will surely be back to haunt you! Pop by your Chiropractor to see if they can help you find the source of your pain, and help it disappear for good.

Stretch of the Week (aka Tight Muscles, Be Gone!): Pectoralis Stretch

If you spend more than 2 hours of your day working on a computer, lifting, pushing, or carrying things around, here’s a stretch that will target a muscle you didn't even know was tight!

The Pectoralis muscle, which stretches across your chest, is more important to your daily activities than you’d realize. Not only does it allow you to move your shoulder in several directions, but it’s a big reason why your arm stays attached to your body. The next time you throw something, you can thank your pectoralis for keeping your arm from flying across the room!

When the Pec muscle is tight, it can cause tension or pain in your chest, shoulder, and upper back. It can also pull your shoulder forward, causing you to slouch and ruin your posture!

Rest your right forearm on a wall or doorpost, keeping your arm parallel to the floor. Make sure your body remains facing straight ahead while you take a step forward increase the stretch. Repeat on the left. (If you stretch one side, you always want to stretch the other!)

You can do this stretch any time throughout the day to relieve tension in your chest, shoulder, and upper back. You’ll be amazed at how much relief you’ll feel from this one simple stretch!

If you have any concerns about whether this stretch is safe for you, or if your shoulder or back tightness is starting to get in the way of your daily activities and happiness, pop by your Chiropractor to see how they can help get you back on track.

Happy Stretching!