Relief Supports for Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain

by Teresa Abney
Posted on March 25, 2021

Back pain affects different people, from diverse walks of life, in different ways. Back pain is an often-misunderstood problem.

Many people believe that their discomfort results from a single condition: a pinched nerve, protruded disc, or arthritic spinal joint, for example.

But the reality is that although many structural problems may be seen on an x-ray or other test, chronic low-back pain almost always involves dysfunction throughout the intricate spine and the nervous system.

A few may exercise daily, whereas some may never engage in physical activity.

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Some people may work in a sedentary job, whereas others may be contractors, construction builders and laborers, postal workers, farmers, maintenance engineers, roofers, miners, emergency management, Amazon Prime, DHL, FedEx and UPS delivery truck drivers, firefighters, police officers, warehouse distributors, or assembly line manufacturing workers.

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T3 Pocketed Coil® Technology adds the benefit of pressure relief by providing exceptional resilience for support, durability and undisturbed sleep. Curated Technoluxe foams reduce pressure points in your hips and shoulders. Also available in Queen and King.

The Cooling and Heating Car Seat Cushion fits on any car seat to provide comfort all year round. Just plug it in for instant comfort. Includes DC adapter (cigarette lighter plug) for use in a car, truck, SUV, boat or RV. Automatic safety shutoff.

Cooling and Heating Car Seat Cushion (Sharper Image)

Individuals may also have foot problems and walk differently than their counterparts.

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Costs Associated with the Treatment of Back-Related Pain

The costs associated with the treatment of back-related pain rose by 65% between 1997 and 2005, one of the byproducts of a 423% increase in the costs of narcotic medication used in treating back pain.

This, combined with increasing costs for other medications, diagnostic imaging, injections, and surgery, has made finding affordable and effective long-term treatment difficult for many chronic back pain sufferers. (Dr. Douglas J. Taber, Chiropractor in New York, The Back Pain Solution: Unlocking the Spinal Code).

Causes of Spinal Pain

In the United States alone, there are more than six million annual complaints to emergency physicians of mechanical pain, and about two-thirds of all adults are affected by mechanical back pain during their lifetimes.

The cost of mechanical back pain to Americans has been staggering: It is the third most expensive disorder in health care dollars spent.

Studies estimate that many as 20% of Americans will experience some form of back pain per year, and most of those episodes are caused by mechanical pain.

What is Mechanical Pain?

The term “mechanical pain” refers to pain that originates in the anatomical structure within your body when one or several parts of the system are negatively affected.

The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, discs, ligaments, and muscles.

You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, develop trigger points, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain.

While sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results.

Also, conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress, kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, tumors, or bone loss can lead to low-back pain.

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Because there so many things that can cause low-back pain, and some of those things can be pretty serious if left untreated, it is crucial to seek professional help.

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As long as it is healthy and functioning correctly, the low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury.

Professional powerlifters can pick up several hundred pounds off the floor without injuring their low back.

However, if the low back is not moving correctly or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as taking a bag of groceries out of the trunk of the car, picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat or dog can cause a low back injury.

Whenever you experience stress, your body responds by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, flooding your body with stress hormones, and tightening up your muscles.

Full Body Pillow

The Body Pillow provides comfort and support in all the right places. Can also be used for reading in bed or lounging on the floor. Also makes a great pregnancy pillow.

This one-piece, horseshoe-shaped pillow is great for side-sleepers. Promotes alignment of the back, neck, shoulders, hips and spine. Alleviates pressure in the back, legs, knees and feet.

Full Body Support Pillow (Sharper Image)

When you are constantly stressed, the chronic tension causes your muscles to become sore, weak, and loaded with trigger points, and muscle tightness and imbalance often results.

Laptop and Tablet Tray

Create an instant workspace, tablet stand and power bank, all in one. Flip it open to create a portable desk on your bed or on the floor. When you’re done, it folds flat for easy storage and transport.

Features two built-in USB ports to charge and power any phone or tablet, plus a flexible LED reading light.

Laptop and Tablet Tray with Built-In Charger (Sharper Image)

Neck and Upper Back Pain

By far, the most common injury to the neck is a whiplash injury. Whiplash is caused by a sudden movement of the head, either backward, forward, or sideways, resulting in the damage of the supporting muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues in the neck and upper back.

Full Coverage Neck Massager

Melt away aches, tension and knots with the Full Coverage Neck Massager. It has a 270-degree C-shaped design that allows for a 50% wider reach compared to most neck massagers.

Whether from a car accident, sports, or an accident at work, whiplash injuries need to be taken very seriously.

Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager

The rotating shiatsu massage nodes simulate the touch of a human masseuse to ease away stress, strain and pain. Features forward and backward motion, LCD display screen and optional infrared heat.

The 3D Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager bends and flexes to caress every curve of your body for a deep and penetrating massage.

Rotating Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager (Sharper Image)

4 Phases of Whiplash Injuries

During a rear-end automobile collision, your body goes through extraordinarily rapid and intense acceleration and deceleration.

There are four phases of a whiplash injury, and they all occur in less than one-half of a second!

At each phase, there is a different force acting on the body that contributes to the overall injury.

With such a sudden and forceful movement, damage to the vertebrae, nerves, discs, muscles, and ligaments of your neck and spine can be substantial.

People often don’t seek treatment following a car accident or sports injury because they don’t feel pain.

Unfortunately, by the time more serious complications develop, some of the damage from the injury may have become permanent.

Numerous studies have shown that years after whiplash victims settle their insurance claims, roughly half of them state that they still suffer from symptoms from their injuries.

Injuries to the neck from trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or sports injury, are common and serious.

Poor Posture Can Contribute to Neck Pain

One of the most common causes of neck pain, and sometimes headaches, is poor posture.

It’s easy to get into bad posture habits without even realizing it—even an activity as “innocent” as reading in bed can ultimately lead to pain, headaches, and more severe problems.

Warming Back Rest Massager

Sit back, read and relax with the Warming Backrest Massager. It features two levels of soothing vibration, plus optional gentle warmth, to help you unwind from a stressful day.

There’s even a handy gooseneck LED reading lamp and side pockets to stash your books, magazines or TV remote.

Back Rest Cushion with a Warming Massager (Sharper Image)

The basic rule is simple: Keep your Neck in a “neutral” position whenever possible.

4 Tips to Improve Your Posture

Don’t bend or hunch your neck forward for long periods.

2. Try not to sit in one place for a long time. If you must sit for an extended period, make sure your posture is good.

3. Keep your head in a neutral position, make sure your back is supported, keep your knees slightly above your hips, and rest your arms if possible.

4. Use a pillow that supports the natural curve of your neck when sleeping.

Memory Foam Acupressure Neck Pillow

The Memory Foam Acupressure Neck Pillow provides targeted pain relief at home and on the go.

Inspired by the Traditional Chinese Medicine belief that chi (or “qi”) is the healing energy that flows throughout the human body by way of meridian pathways, it has built-in plastic stimulators to target your acupressure points and reduce pain.

Slip it on to soothe away stress and strain while you’re at home, in the office or traveling. Includes a convenient carrying case.

Memory Foam Acupressure Neck Pillow (Sharper Image)

How to Reduce the Physical Affects of Daily Stress

When most people become stressed, they unconsciously contract their muscles, in particular, the muscles in their back.

This “muscle-guarding” is a survival response designed to protect against injury.

In today’s world, where we are not exposed to physical danger most of the time, muscle-guarding still occurs whenever we become emotionally stressed.

The areas most affected are the muscles of the neck, upper back, and low back.

For most of us, the particular muscle affected by stress is the trapezius muscle, where daily stress usually leads to chronic tightness and the development of trigger points.

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Elegant ottoman with built in foot massager. Massages both feet at the same time. Place your feet inside for shiatsu roller balls, air compression, deep tissue kneading and optional heat. Cordless and rechargeable. Operates up to 3 hours on a full charge.

The two most effective ways to reduce the physical effects of stress are to increase your activity level (exercise) and by deep breathing exercises.

Steam Bath Foot Massager

The Steam Foot Bath Massager soothes and warms feet with the power of steam. It provides a sauna-like experience for your feet, plus electric rollers to relax, refresh and relieve pain in the soles of the feet.

Features 3 heat settings, 2 massage speeds and auto shutoff timer. 4 non-slip pads for safety. 1 full tank of water (1 cup) provides about 35 minutes of steam. Water tank and foot pedal are detachable for easy cleaning.

Steam Bath Foot Massager (Sharper Image)

American Sleep Collection 10” Latex Coil Mattress

Queen Organic Elements 801 Latex Coil Mattress and Adjustable Power Base. This firm mattress features individually wrapped upcycled steel coil support for targeted support where you need it most.

When you decrease the physical effects of stress, you can substantially reduce the amount of tightness and pain in your upper back and neck.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy involves manipulating the body’s soft tissues via the hands of a trained massage therapist.

Massage has dozens of individual methods and is a fantastic tool for treating soft tissue.

It can be used to stimulate deep tissues or to treat muscles, ligaments, and tendons closer to the skin.

A properly trained chiropractor, massage therapist, or physical therapist can do a great deal to treat low-back pain and other forms of back problems.

Make sure that when you decide to go to a massage therapist that they are licensed and are recommended by a health care provider.

Human Touch Zero Gravity 5.0 Massage Chair

This Deluxe Massage Chair features an elegant, upscale design. Reclines all the way to the “zero-gravity” position — the physician-recommended neutral-posture position that relieves pressure on the spine at any recline angle.

The BodyMap PRO® remote control lets you enjoy the foot, seat and heated back massage all at once or independently. Deluxe foot-and-calf massager with underfoot rollers.

**Human Touch® Zero Gravity® 5.0 Massage Chair** (Sharper Image)

Practice Meditation

Meditation can be defined as a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth.

It is a self-directed activity that aims to keep the mind anchored in the present moment by focusing on a single object or breath pattern.

The practice of meditation is a self-directed process that shifts awareness in a way that takes focus away from the usual conditioning of our minds and thinking, which are often developed through our habits and usually without conscious intent.

When the mind becomes quiet through meditation, a calm stillness arises from the balance of body, mind, and spirit that in turn relaxes our nervous system.

When we tap into our inner power by meditation, we can transform the body, mind, and spirit.

Many of us consider meditation to be us sitting quietly and pondering, but true meditation is much more than relaxation.

It is a state in which the mind is calm and at peace while completely alert.

Rather than “tuning out,” true meditation is a means of “tuning in.” This level of calmness and centeredness is often referred to as being the watchful witness of your thoughts.

The practice of meditation dates back thousands of years ago in the Eastern religious traditions of India, China, and Japan.

Its resurgence in recent times began when Western medical researchers such as Herbert Benson, MD, discovered the healing power of meditative practice.

Meditation has been recommended for an array of physical ailments, including stress reduction, anxiety, insomnia, pain, depression, and other chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and overall wellness.

Related Topic: Body-Mind Harmony Through Present Moment Awareness (Dr. D. J. Taber)

What is Yoga?

Yoga has been around for more than 5,000 years and practiced in the United States for nearly 100 years though it has only reached a growth in popularity over the last 30 years.

It has taken a long time to gain appreciation from the general public because it has been dramatically misunderstood

The association with religion stems from the fact that it was initially practiced by Hindu Monks as a process to prepare their bodies and minds for meditation.

Meditation often lasted for many hours, and to ensure a meditative state for that long period, it was essential to free your mind and body of any distractions.

Heated Yoga Mat

The Heated Yoga Mat warms your muscles from head to toe for hot yoga, conventional yoga or just a soothing and comfortable stretch.

Made with breathable air mesh nylon and foam, it features 3 adjustable temperature settings (from 112°F to 130°F) for personalized comfort, plus a 120-minute auto shutoff timer for safety.

The Beauty of Yoga

The beauty of yoga is that it can be modified to fit anyone, no matter their flexibility or strength.

Most of the images of yoga we see in print advertisements and on TV are not of beginners.

Those images are usually of teachers or models that have been in shape and practicing yoga for a long time.

If you walk into a beginner yoga class, the picture is more realistic, and you will find people of all different shapes and sizes.

Yoga connects the movement of the body and the fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of the breath, creating a balance of physical and mental health.

This process teaches one to turn their focus inward, and it is through this inward focus that one learns to recognize habits be it good or bad and how to manage them without judgment or forced change.

We become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice rather than a task or a goal to be completed.

Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.

Practicing Yoga for Stress

Life is full of different types of stress. Our natural reaction to most stress is fight or flight. Our pulse increases we become agitated or anxious.

The regular practice of yoga can give you the ability to control this reaction and avoid the stress reaction rather than other forms of exercise that often reduce the stress reaction once it has already occurred.

Some forms of exercise can even increase stress on the body when pushed too hard or done to the extreme. Yoga is balance, strength, and control.

In our daily lives, we spend a large percent of our day in a forward posture, whether driving, sitting at a computer, writing, cooking, or doing household chores.

When our arms are in front of us, our shoulders roll forward, constricting our ribcage and, as a result, reduce air to our lungs and throughout our bodies.

One simple yoga posture can be done anytime and anywhere and can counteract, relieving tension, expanding the lungs, and filling the body with oxygen and energy.

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Electric Folding Treadmill

The Folding Treadmill gives you a robust workout in a compact design. Features 12 fitness programs. An electronic display screen tracks your speed, distance, time, heart rate and calories burned.

This electric treadmill has a large 39”x14” running area and a top speed of 6.5 mph. Best of all, it folds up and wheels away when your workout is over. Ideal for condos, small home spaces, garages, basements, apartments, dorms, workplace areas, etcetera.

Heavy-duty steel frame. Phone/tablet shelf. Built-in wheels for portability and easy storage.

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Relief Supports for Back, Knee, Neck & Shoulder Pain

Back pain affects different people, from diverse walks of life, in different ways. Back pain is an often-misunderstood problem. Many people believe that their discomfort results from a single condition: a pinched nerve, protruded disc, or arthritic spinal joint, for example. But the reality is that although many structural problems may be seen on an…