Active Health: Relieving Neck Pain

ARE YOU HURTING YOUR NECKWHILE YOU SLEEP?

Wespendone-thirdofour livessleeping.Therefore,howyousleepand thebed yousleeponcanhaveadramaticeffecton thesupportofyourbody.Whenyou sleep you need to be aware of how your neck and spine are supported. There are many different types of beds on the market today which can be very confusing for consumers.The best type of bed is the one that you try out and feels most comfortable using. Typically, a bed that is firm underneath, with a softer top helps to provide support as well as contour your body. If your mattress is old, then think about investing in a new one so that your neck and spine are supported well. The best positions to sleep in for your spine are on your back or sides. Avoid sleeping on your stomach since your spine ends up twisted, especially your neck.Over thehoursof repetitivesleepingonyourstomach,youcandamage the joints of your spine and compress the nerves exiting your spine. Use a pillow to help support your body and take the weight of your legs off your spine. If you like to sleep on your back, place a pillow under the backs of your thighs and knees. This should place your knees in a slight, supported bend which takes pressure off your lower back. If you sleep on your side, be sure to put a pillow between your knees. This helps keep the alignment of your spine, and takes the pressure of your upper leg off the spine. Have 1-2 pillows under your head to keep your neck in proper alignment. If you need 2 pillows stagger them so that one pillow overlaps the other by one half. The lower half goes under the shoulders, while the upper half supports the neck.

Our physical therapists at Active Health Performance Therapy can show you exercises, stretches and techniques to relieve your pain and prevent it from returning. If you are suffering with neck or back pain, call us today to learn more about how we can relieve your pain, returning you to a more active, pain-free life!

Call us today at (207) 878-5002 to schedule an appointment!

Enjoy A Healthy Recipe!

Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients • 2 tbsp low sodium chicken broth • 1⁄4 cup onion, chopped • 1 small garlic clove, minced • 1⁄4 cup bell pepper, chopped • 2 chili peppers, minced (to taste)

• 3 plum tomatoes, chopped • 8 flour tortillas

• 1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded • 1 1⁄2 cups cooked chicken, shredded • scallion, cut on the bias (garnish) • salsa (garnish) • nonfat sour cream (garnish)

Directions In a medium-heavy skillet, saute the onions, garlic and peppers until soft in the 2 tablespoons chicken broth. Add the chili peppers and tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes more until the liquid has evaporated. Add the chicken and stir well to combine. Spray a cold skillet with the nonstick spray and heat over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle with 1/8 cup cheese. Add about a quarter of the chicken mixture and top with another 1/8 cup cheese. Cover with another tortilla and cook for two to three minutes or until golden brown. Flip the quesadilla over and cook for an additional two minutes. Remove from the heat and cut into wedges. Keep warm while frying the remaining quesadillas. Serve with salsa, scallions, and fat-free sour cream.

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