Sponsored Content: This video contains paid product placement. Thank you to KANUDA for sponsoring this video and providing Doctor Jo with a free Head Nap to use.
Cervical traction is a popular treatment that can help relieve general neck pain and specific diagnoses like a pinched nerve known as radiculopathy, disc issues, arthritis, stenosis, and a few others.
NOTE: There are some precautions and contraindications to cervical traction, so make sure you check with your doctor or physical therapist before trying it.
Basically, a cervical traction pillow gently stretches the neck to help relieve pain in the disc and joints in your cervical spine (neck).
Today I am using the Kanuda Head Nap, which helps stretch and relieve pressure through gravity. It’s designed by physical therapists, and helps simulate manual traction that targets pressure points to help relieve tension and knots as well. It’s also very portable, so it’s easy to take it with you when you need it.
Cervical traction can help relieve muscle spasms, increase blood flow to injured areas, relieve pain, and help reduce numbness and tingling in the arms.
Doctor Jo shows some simple stretches for neck pain. Remember to be very careful with neck stretching exercises, and make sure you have a proper diagnosis from your doctor.
These neck pain relief stretches and exercises can help you relieve neck pain from a strain, pulled muscle, or even if you just slept on your neck wrong.
Cervical spondylosis is a general term for the wear and tear of the spinal discs in the neck as we age. As the discs degenerate, signs of osteoarthritis develop. This can cause achiness and soreness as well as decreased motion in the neck.
Often a tight levator scapulae muscle can cause neck pain because many of the muscles in the neck area go down into the shoulder as well. My favorite stretch for this area is a levator scapulae stretch.
These shoulder pain relief stretches are great for helping to relieve general shoulder pain and shoulder tightness. The shoulder stretches are done in real time, so they are easy to follow.
Neck & shoulder pain often go hand in hand. Many of the muscles in the neck go down into the shoulder area, and when they are tight and weak, they can cause pain in both areas.
Sore neck muscles are common when starting a new workout program or when exercising a little too hard. These neck stretches can help relax a sore & tight neck and provide pain relief.
My favorite exercise for the shoulder area is a shoulder or scapular squeeze. It’s great for the shoulders, neck, and upper back. This exercise is performed in real-time, so it’s easy to follow along if you want.
One of my favorite stretches for shoulder pain relief is an arms above the head stretch. It’s great for the shoulders as well as the neck, and upper back.