SmartSports: Relieving Neck Pain

WHAT COULD BE CAUSING YOUR NECK PAIN?

If your pain is developing gradually over time and is not the result of any particular injury that comes to mind, then it may be a result of degenerative disc disease. When this develops, you may experience chronic neck pain as a result of fluid-filled sacs that are becoming weakened over time as a result of stress and strain. Physical therapy can help alleviate the pain from degenerative disc disease by helping restore blood circulation and improve range of motion in the neck. This therapy is approached in a careful and deliberate way so as to not cause further pain in the neck region. Sometimes, neck pain develops after a particular injury, such as due to accident or even as a result of a car accident or a slip and fall accident. When this happens, your pain could be a result of a muscle strain or sprain. When this is the case, then using traditional methods like hot and cold therapy and targeted physical therapy treatment can do a lot of good to alleviate the pain. However, attempting exercises on your own could also result in further pain. In some cases, mechanical neck pain can develop as a result of a change in the neck joints. This may develop as a result of a disc collapsing, which causes the space between the bones to become narrow, often causing bones to strike one another, resulting in pain. When this isn’t addressed, mechanical neck pain can spread, causing the pain to become more severe and covering a wider range of the neck. Finally, neck pain is sometimes caused by radiculopathy, which refers to pressure or irritation in the nerves of the neck, which alters the electrical signals in the neck, causing you to feel more pain throughout the day. Physical therapy can help reduce the pressure and irritation surrounding the nerves, often offering immediate relief from pain and discomfort. These are just some of the frequent causes of neck pain. It is important that you never assume that your neck pain is being caused by one or another of these issues, and that you instead always work with a licensed

5 There is one more factor that often is not spoken about, but it’s a frequent cause of neck pain and discomfort: sleeping issues. Sometimes, sleeping in a certain position or sleeping on a mattress or pillow that is too soft or too hard will lead to neck pain. Oftentimes, this pain will appear to be chronic, as the sleeping issue is likely something that you experience day after day, causing the pain to return regularly. 4 5 2 7 2 1 It may be helpful to rule out sleeping concerns as a reason behind your neck pain by assessing your sleeping conditions and making any changes that you think may be necessary. Adjust how many pillows you sleep on, the position you sleep in or even your mattress! For more support in finding relief from neck pain, talk to your physical therapist. 2 3 8 6 4 7 9 5 7 3 2 1 4 5 8 and experienced physical therapist to determine the precise cause of your pain and discomfort. Is Your Neck Pain Caused by Sleep Issues?

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http://1sudoku.com IMMUNIT Y BOOSTER CHICKEN SOUP n° 229777 - Level Medium

INGREDIENTS

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3 9 6 • 3 cloves of garlic, diced • 1 medium lemon (zest & juice) • 1 handful fresh ginger • 2 qt chicken broth • 1 can coconut milk (optional) 2 8 9

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 lb chicken breast • 1 medium onion, diced • 3 large carrots, diced • 2 celery stalks diced

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4 5 Heat olive oil over mediumhigh heat. Add chicken breast and brown. Then, add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 min, until softened. Add 2 quarts of chicken broth and ginger with the skin on. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 35-45 minutes (the longer you boil ginger the stronger it is). Remove ginger and discard. Remove chicken, then shred and set aside. Add lemon zest and squeeze lemon to taste. Continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Add shredded chicken and (optional) 1 can of coconut milk. DIRECTIONS 3 9 6 7 9 2 5 4 1

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n° 228310 - Level Medium

SMARTSPORTSMED.COM

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