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"Schlumping"--bending forward at waist with head forward and letting your upper back bend over forward--causes chronic muscle spasms that create pain in the head, neck, and pain. So do weak, spastic, or overused muscles, said clinical psychophysiologist Richard Bruno, director of the Post-Polio Institute of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey.
People with scoliosis, for instance, overuse back, hip, and neck muscles on their weak side to appear level. The result is chronic back spasms. Then again, substituting strong muscles for weaker ones also causes chronic spasms. To stop pain by any condition mentioned, a person has to relax muscles in spasms and undo what caused the chronic muscle contractions. Other suggestions are:
Use gravity. Align your upper body so that gravity pulls directly through the center of your body. This way you don't need to keep contracting muscles for balance.
Sit and stand straight with a slight curve in the lower back. Use a lumbar cushion in the small of the back while sitting or get an adjustable support. Keep your head straight by checking the angle of your chin. It should not be pointing downward.
Don't let muscles shorten or contract more. Shift for pressure relief, but do not keep favoring one side.
Maintain a good sleeping posture. Don't let the neck bend forward during sleep or use too many pillows. Sleep on your back.
If changing posture and trying these techniques doesn't work, consult a doctor and physical therapist. They will probably use heat and deep massage to relax muscles. They will also recommend stretching exercises that stretch away from the side with the spasm. #427
Bruno, R. L. (2000, August). Oh your achin' back. . .and neck. . .and head! New Mobility 11(83), 26-34.
Keyword: Secondary conditions |
