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Water Skiing and Whiplash: Relief from Summer Neck Pain

Up in the Midwest, summer is a cherished time when we can finally come out of hibernation and get a little Vitamin D. After so long of a time indoors, many people like to go out and get into their boats for some water skiing or tubing. If we’ve just described you, go ahead, enjoy yourself! The upcoming Fourth of July holiday is the perfect time to spend the day on the boat!

If, however, you find yourself with some discomfort after your summer excursions, be sure to take it seriously. Whiplash can be a common side effect of flopping around on choppy water, with symptoms including general discomfort, pain, disc damage, headaches and nausea.

While the “easiest” relief for neck pain may seem to be taking some form of over-the-counter medication, we urge you to not to rely on them. Pain relievers only mask the pain, rather than confronting it. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, can provide immense relief for even the most excruciating neck pain and is a natural approach to healing.

Relieving Neck Pain with Chiropractic Care

Not every injury or symptom is the same for each person, so at Van Ness Chiropractic, Dr. Van Ness, Dr. Parkin and Dr. Sabri assess neck pain to find the best treatment for each individual. They check their patients’ posture, how they walk and/or sit, and the levels of pain they’re experiencing to create a treatment plan and find them the best relief.

Chiropractic care is one of the best means of getting relief because it helps the body to heal naturally and quickly. A healthy human body is highly capable of healing itself, so manual adjustments help a spine get back to a healthy alignment so that the body is able to heal more efficiently and effectively.

Other Natural Ways to Relieve Neck Pain

Use an Ergonomic Pillow

Think about how much time you spend in your bed each week. Sleep is the time when your body can recharge and do some healing. If your bed isn’t set up in way that facilitates that healing, it can be doing more damage than good. Even sleeping on your stomach can be harmful to your neck.

Van Ness Chiropractic suggests getting rid of overly plushy pillows and flat pillows. A pillow should be supportive and should keep your head in a natural position. Good orthopedic pillows help stabilize the head while still providing comfort.

Try Neck Exercise

Gentle neck exercises can help your neck stay limber, which can relieve neck pain and, like stretching does for other muscles in the body, can help prevent future neck injuries.

With your chin level, you can gently pinch your shoulder blades together and push your chin back. Hold this for 3-5 seconds, repeating 20-30 times daily. This is one way to help loosen stiff muscles and reduce neck and upper back tension, which can provide relief for neck pain. Remember to never extend your neck past its physical boundaries, as it is possible to do more harm than good with stretches.

Practice Good Posture

Your spine is the support system for your entire body, so if it is misaligned, that often leads to other health problems. Practicing good posture can help your body stay strong and helps keep your spine in alignment.

Stay Hydrated

The discs in your back need to be properly hydrated, as they are made up of mostly water. As you age, they lose some of their water and get smaller. It is important, then, that you stay hydrated to avoid pain.

Make an Appointment

Drs. Van Ness, Parkin and Sabri use chiropractic adjustments, specific neck exercises and stretches, massage therapy and self-help education to help their patients find long-term relief. For more information on neck pain and symptoms or to make an appointment with a doctor, give us a call at (847) 842-8070.