The Healthy Choices Wellblog

Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief Tips - These work for my neck and shoulder pain

Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I work at the computer almost every day. I work A LOT. So, there are lots of days that I end up with neck and shoulder pain. Two regular practices I have integrated into schedule with the sort of regularity with which other women might be appointments for having their hair or nails done, are massage and chiropractic care.

Getting massage as often as I can, and getting regular chiropractic adjustments (I only go to chiropractors who practice low-force or no-force chiropractic care, the best of which
is, interestingly enough, called B.E.S.T.) have helped tremendously and I’ve learned to help them do a more effective job by doing my own work in-between visits.

In general, I get up from the chair more often and stretch. I also have specific neck and shoulder stretches that I do in the shower every day. This is particularly good
because the hot water has already warmed the tissues so that stretching is easier and I can stretch more.

Hair-Pulling for Neck and Shoulder Pain

I’m tender-headed and the thought of pulling my own hair, or having someone else pull it, was not appetizing. The first time my massage therapist suggested it, I wanted to say no.
I’m so glad I didn’t say no. If done properly, hair-pulling can provide a great deal of relief for neck stiffness and can even relieve tense shoulders by loosening the scalp.

I start at the base of the skull, near the occipitals. I just take a small amount of hair and slowly stretch it, rather than actually pulling, straight up. Then, very slowly I move the hair so that
I’m pulling the scalp underneath in all four directions. When that part of the scalp feels a bit more loose, I move on. In my case, it usually just requires doing the occipital area on both sides but you can use hair-pulling to loosen the entire scalp.

Another great way to help the body let go of shoulder tension, which also helps neck tension, is to take a brush and gently tap, bristle side down, on the top of the shoulders. I read about this in Donna Eden’s book on Energy Medicine.

Tracking down relief for my bursitis pain
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

As I’ve been posting for weeks now, I’m dealing with a stubborn, painful case of bursitis in my elbow. The more I read, the more I discover that I never wanted to know. Apparently, bursitis can last for YEARS. I had no idea.

I am still using the bursitis patches I got a few days ago. This morning, I did some small reduction in the swelling which is a blessing but still a lot of swelling.

I’m learning that anyone with a job that causes repeated bending of the elbow…..including typing at a keyboard all day…..can keep irritating an elbow with bursitis….well, let’s see, I could stop working I guess….not.

I just read about Emu Oil and Collagen being helpful so will probably pick both of those up at my local health food store tomorrow. Why not? I’m using everything else….MSM, turmeric, salmon oil, vitamin E, vitamin C, the bursitis patches, even Aleve and I consider NSAIDS a last resort.

Also found, to my delight, that I can order a portable ultrasound device to use at home and that ultrasound is good for bursitis. Since my chiropractor uses it, I’m going to schedule an appointment asap and also order a unit for future use. They are not cheap. About $230 but if it works, it’s worth it.

It’s been a trip. I’ll say that much. Well, guess I’ll get off here and rest my elbow!

Patches for Bursitis - Do They Work?
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

Important: Please also read the comment left by a representative of the company that makes the patches I ordered. It is very informative.

Asi I’ve been posting on the blog, I’m having a major problem with bursitis in my elbow. You might want to read the progression of posts to get the idea….

Bursitis Swollen Elbow Pain
Update on Bursitis Treatment
Relentless Bursitis in Elbow
Spiritual Significance of Bursitis

I’ve tried every natural remedy I know about including MSM, turmeric, Salmon Oil and NSAIDS.

I also ordered some “bursitis patches” from Austrailia and, at long last, they finally arrived.

I put one on last night and left it on about 12 hours.

Results - None whatsoever.

I’m very disappointed but an wearing another again today. According to the instructions, I may have to use all 10 patches. If so, that’s another 10 days to deal with this…..not good.

So far, I can’t say I’m pleased with the patches but will report again in a few days time.

Bursitis remedies failing - Need Help
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

This is a follow-up post to this one on bursitis

Well, it’s been at least a week and a half that I’ve been dealing with bursitis in my right elbow. I started out taking salmon oil and tumeric, both of which have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Then, after researching a bit, I added MSM and vitamin C plus a homeopathic remedy called Traumeel.

The last two really have helped with pain but, so far, nothing has helped with the swelling. I can’t tell you how much I don’t want to have to go get this drained…..oh, can’t stand the thought of it really.

I’m posting again, asking for help. If anyone coming here has successfully dealt with bursitis in the elbow, I’d love to hear about how you did it.

I’m even resorting to NSAIDs and I don’t wanta do that either.

Because bursitis can lead to infection, a conditon known as septic bursitis, I am also applying anti-virals including oregano oil, a chapparal product called Shegoi, and a multi-herb salve that contains burdock and other herbs, including anti-virals.

My last hope is the bursitis patches I ordered from Australia but they are not even here yet. Believe me, if they work, I’ll be posting immediately and rejoicing.

Til then, if anyone else knows something I haven’t tried, I’d love to hear about it.

Internal inflammation is a big factor in degenerative disease
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

I’ve been reading a lot of reports on the role
that internal inflammation plays in disease and
it appears to be a big factor.  There are several
good books on the subject, including
“The Inflammation Response” if you want to read
up on this important health finding.

My own chronic joint pain and muscle pain
certainly seems inflammation-related because
when I take anti-inflammatory supplements, it
always gets better.

 I started taking tumeric when I read about it’s natural anti-inflammatory properties but, since then have read that, in addition to helping the body reduce internal inflammation, tumeric also has important anti-cancer actions as well.

 There are studies being done by scientists who are intrigued by the low rates of certain kinds of cancer in India.  Of course, the East Indian diet is very high in tumeric and scientists are studying how much of a role their high-tumeric diet plays in helping India have the lowest cancer rates in the world on cancers such as colorectal and lung.

 In addition to tumeric, I also take salmon oil gels for my internal inflammation.  I can say that, when I remember to take these two faithfully, I definitely see a difference in my own joint pain as well as muscle pain throughout the body.

By the way, tumeric has one specific pigment that is more typically extracted and used and the name of that pigment is curcumin.  I don’t really understand if this is the same as curry or part of curry……in any case, I just buy tumeric.  I usually feel whole plant synergy is best.

I don’t have a preferred brand of tumeric but I do prefer Vital Choice Salmon Oil Gels.

Vitabase has a Dr. approved tumeric extract, if you are looking for that right now.

Tumeric / Curcumin is considered safe for adults but can cause indigestion in some, if used longterm. Also, tumeric is not recommended for people who have gallbladder disease. For more information on this helpful spice, visit The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health’s page on the subject: Tumeric Fact Sheet

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Pain Relief Tips:

Because I spend hours every day typing on the computer, I eventually ended up having symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.  Like so many other life experiences, I didn’t fully appreciate how painful carpal tunnel is until I experienced it myself.  It’s really agonizing at times, like a tooth ache in my wrist.

 My massage therapist gave me my first really good tip on pain relief for my own carpal tunnel when she suggested taking Vitamin B-6.  She calls B-6 the “fine tuner” of the B Vitamins and said a dose of about 250 mg was needed.

I can definitely say it helped.  In addition to the B-6, I got massage.  It’s important to find a therapist that has worked with carpal tunnel.  There are specific ways to work with those areas and if a therapist has not trained for that, it could make it worse.

Wearing a wrist brace when driving and typing helped also.

 And finally, I folded a towel and placed it beside my pillow at night so that when I lay on my side, the wrist would be lifted a bit off the bed.  This helped me get relief at night and feel a lot better when I woke up.

To prevent getting to the point I got to, gentle stretching by placing the hand palm down and facing inward and then stretching that wrist area by carefully pushing down on the palm is a good preventative.

Click here for more information on carpal tunnel pain relief

Do you have unexplained gas and bloating?

Here’s one possible reason:

I discovered this when I ordered stir fry in a chain restaurant.  Within an hour of eating it, I was literally bent over with intestinal cramping.  I really thought I had food poisoning.  It wasn’t.  It was MSG.  Monosodium Glutamate.

I’ve read all the reports that say this is a harmless ingredient but, for me, it is anything but harmless.  If I consume a food with much MSG in it, I end up in intense pain.  So, if you are having unexplained intestinal cramping, check your foods for MSG and hidden MSG in the form of hydrolyzed vegetable protein or one of the other names used to hide MSG in foods.

I’d like to mention one product that normally contains a lot of MSG, just because it is often fed to children. Of course they love it because MSG is an excitotoxin, which means it makes food seem to taste better. The product I’d avoid or buy only from organic sources is Ramen Noodles. You know the kind? Cheap and easy to prepare but some of those have enough MSG in them to cause brain damage in a small child so be careful with those.

Another reason for sudden and unexplained gas or cramping is sorbitol.  Oh my gosh.  It is worse than MSG for me.  And so many foods contain it.  Surprisingly, it is also used in some homeopathic remedies. 

The list of foods containing sorbitol is way too long to print here but there’s a good list on this website:  Sorbitol Food List

Related articles on intestinal health:

colon inflammation

celiac sprue

How do I loosen up Tight, Painful Back Muscles?

Tennis Balls for Back Pain Relief

I got this tip from a massage therapist.

If you have low back tightness or pain you can relieve it with tennis balls!

Ly on a yoga mat or other flat surface that is not so hard as to be uncomfortable. Just take two tennis balls and place one under each side of the spine, on the tight muscles. Ly comfortable til that area releases and then move the balls up slightly.

I usually keep the tennis balls in one spot for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Note that this is for tight muscles only, not for those with back injuries. You need to check with your doctor if you have any type of back injury, to determine if using the tennis balls to stretch out the area is safe and advisable.