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.
Image/s:
Product promotional photo/s
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