Living with M.S.

"Living with M.S. is sort of like training for a long race. The harder you try, and the longer you keep at it, the stronger you become.
Eventually, looking back, you may be amazed at the power you possessed, even when you had no idea it was within your reach." (Linda Ann Nickerson)

Monday

MS can be a pain in the neck ... but this helps



Chronic pain, spasticity, and tension seem to go with the territory for many individuals who live with multiple sclerosis. Toss in some daily stress, and the MSer can already feel those neck muscles cramping.

Aside from taking additional medication, what can the MSer do to ease neck pain?

Here’s something that often brings comfort. Soft and cozy neck wraps can be used for cooling or heat therapy – whichever is needed at a given moment. 


(Ask any MSer about those wild body barometer swings, when chills and hot flashes wreak havoc on the system almost randomly.)


Tailored to look like wrap-around travel pillows, most of these soothing neck wraps are made in washable velvety or fleecy fabrics. The best ones feature detachable covers for washing.
 
Personally, I love my lavender-scented neck wrap, which can go into the freezer or microwave, depending on whether I need it to be chilled or warmed. It’s filled with beanbag-like stuffing, so it shapes itself comfortably around the neck and shoulder area.

Similar products are scented with bergamot, cinnamon/orange, eucalyptus, frankincense, jasmine, lemon, peppermint, sage, sandalwood, vanilla/rose, or other essential oils or herbal fragrances. A few are filled with cherry or flax seeds, rather than synthetic materials.

Most hot-and-cold neck wraps are retail-priced between $15 and $20.

Several therapeutic neck wraps come in money-saving gift sets, accompanied by cozy shoulder wraps, sinus pillows, or sleep masks.



Hey, it’s not advanced pharmaceutical magic, but it surely does help with the pain in the neck of MS, as well as arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraine, muscle injuries, and other causes of tension or pain.


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2 comments:

  1. I also bought lavender scented neck pillow is awesome....feels good, smells good and can adjust to suit your neck. Love the fabric because it doesn't get too hot around my neck in the summer months.

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