collar

Hi,

nowadays they don't advise wearing a collar (even a soft collar) because it can further stiffen the neck. Current advice is to gently exercise the neck. Try not to look upwards and don't do any overhead manual work as these activities can aggravate the neck. Also, my own experience has shown me that varying sleeping arrangements can shift the pain and memory foam matresses can help as well. Good luck.

Hiya Adrian

Whilst agreeing with almost of what Gerry says, I have to differ on the collar aspect. I purchased a collar from the web of my own bat, when I saw my consultant I told him what I'd done, his advice was to wear it when I was sat watching the tv, or in the car (as a passenger).

The collar I have , does not restrict movement at all and is made up of very small polystyrene balls, if you would like the name of the company I ordered it from, please IM me.

Gerry I cannot agree with you more about the memory foam topper, an absolute godsend. I also have a pillow which I use upright on my armchair, I find this helps me enormously when sat for any length of time.

Take Care all, me nice to yourselves

Emxx :wink:

I've used a collar at night, when I feel the pain coming on, for a good many years now, and it does help. The doctors advise against them these days because people tend to rely on them too much, and don't do the exercises which help to strengthen neck muscles. Which is all very well, but most doctors don't live with CS: if they did, they'd be in those collars and a damn' sight less inclined to pontificate.

I very rarely, if ever, wear a collar in the daytime, although it can help when travelling, and don't recommend anyone to get dependent on them or on anything else. To that extent, I agree with the current medical opinion (!) But if a collar helps, and they do help many of us, use one. Some GPs will still provide them, but if yours doesn't there are still suppliers. Just Google support collar.

They don't really support all that much, to be honest, but they do keep the neck warm, which is important, and help prevent it moving about too freely as you sleep, which is a common cause of horrible hangover-type pains in the morning. The medicos need to re-think their position on this issue, theory is in danger of outbalancing sense.

Hi

I wear a collar to help with the pain I find it helps me live a normal life with CS....I try not to wear it when Im at home too much to keep my neck strong...but as soon as my hand starts to go cold it goes on....hope this helps you!!!

Hi, my experience of collars is much like everyone else's here, my GP told me to wear a collar in bed, but that doesn't work out too well for me, so I don't. But I think some people benefit from it. The physio dept at local hospital told me to wear a soft neck collar during bad flare ups, just for a day or two, to allow the neck to settle, but that prolonged use can weaken the supporting neck muscles and make matters worse. I keep one in a drawer and try not to use it, but I think they are really helpful at times.

As has also been said, heat is a great helper in this condition, another tip from the hospital was to wrap a towel around a hot water bottle, then wrap it round your neck.

Hope you find some relief.

Lou x