ARTHRITIS IN THE NECK
Do you find yourself feeling frequent neck or shoulder aches and pains? Youcouldbesuffering fromcervical (neck)arthritis.Arthritis in theneck is very common as we age. With arthritis in the neck, people often complain ofpain radiating into the lowerneck,shoulders,orevendown into thearm. Theproblemwitharthritis is the lossof rangeofmotion in theneck joints. As bone wears on bone, the surface of the bones actually start to change shape. This thins the bones in the neck in some parts leading to a loss of heightbetween thebones.Due toabnormalwearand tear,newboneforms where it shouldn’t, creeping into the holes where the spinal cord passes through. In addition it can rub on the nerves out to your neck, shoulders, arms and even hands. This can lead to a condition called cervical spinal stenosis, which can be quite painful. What can be done to help neck arthritis? While pain medications can help control pain, they don’t address the root cause of the pain, which is poor strength and lack of normal movement. The neck joints on the side of the spine normally experience wear and tear over the years. However, when this wear and tear is accelerated due to poor posture, weakness or injury, this can lead to limited, painful range of motion. In addition, with neck arthritis, the smaller muscles that guide themotionsof theneckbecomeweaker,eventually leading tomore rubbing and arthritis. By gently stretching these tight and restricted joints with specific hands on therapyandexercises, rangeofmotioncanbe returned.Whilephysical therapy cannot restore the cartilage or change the bony structure, it can certainly help your neck move better, become stronger, reduce pain and give you the power to stay healthier longer.
Try this simple test. See ifyouhave restrictedcervical joints.Standwithyourbackagainst the wall. Can you touch the back of your head to the wall while keeping your chin level? If you cannot, then your neck joints are limited and you need
physical therapy to restore the range of motion. Is your neck pain affecting your balance?
Have you ever seen a person with their head protruding forward and their body bent over? This can be subtle or quite noticeable. With neck pain, limited neck posture results in loss of balance. Just pull anyone by their nose and you will see they will falter forward. This is because the normal linesofgravity through thebodychangewhen thespineposturechanges. If you or someone you know has poor balance, it could be a problem with their posture.
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ROASTED SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH PISTACHIO
CERVICAL CHIN TUCK SUPINE WITH TOWEL While lying on your back with a small rolled up towel under the curve of your neck, tuck your chin towards your chest. Maintain contact of your head with the surface you are lying on the entire time. Strengthens Neck Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain.
INGREDIENTS • 4 pounds sweet potato • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil • Kosher salt • 4 medium carrots, diced • 1 medium onion
• 5 cloves garlic • 2 sprigs sage DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 300°F. Toss sweet potato with 4 tablespoons vegetable oil and salt. Spread sweet potato on 2 rimmed baking sheets and bake for 1 hour. Increase oven temperature to 375°F and cook until sweet potatoes are tender and lightly browned around the edges, about 25 minutes. In a large pot, heat remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium-high heat until simmering. Add carrot, onion, garlic, sage, and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until vegetables are just tender. Add sweet potatoes and stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes until vegetables are very tender. Discard sage, if using. Add orange juice. Blend soup until smooth. Season with salt. In a mixing bowl, stir together pistachios, orange zest, scallions, mint, and cayenne pepper. Fold in olive oil and season with salt. Serve soup, spooning pistachio salsa on top.
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