Things to help with neck and back pain

Over the last three months I have tried many things to alleviate my pain in the neck. Just in case you ever have my same problem I have put together this list of non-drug help:

• Traction: I purchased the "Air Neck Traction" product. It worked well until I lost it. I am not sure how you lose a big fuzzy weird neck thing, but I managed to lose it. If I decide to replace it I would get the "TracCollar" instead. If I had money to waste I would get the Comfortrac Unit. I don't recommend the over the door type of traction! It isn't very helpful, it hurts your jaw and you look like a dork.

• Electrical Muscle Simulation: This is used to help deal with the pain and also help the muscles stop spasming. I used this a lot. However, you have to be careful. If you are in excruciating pain, you may tend to turn it up too high and leave it on too long and then suddenly the electrodes won't stick to your back because you are bleeding.
  
  


• Back Buddy: This is great for when you have an annoying knot in your muscle and nobody in the family can push on it hard enough...even with their elbow.
  
  

• Shiatsu Massage Chair: I bought this at Walgreen's one day when I was getting a refill on my Percocet. I have really enjoyed it. I actually laid it out flat on the couch and took a nap on it. You have to be careful though or you will push into it so hard that you will be bruised.