Talking – there’s a lot of talking at Christmas: family celebrations, long meals, sitting around.
Yet does your dodgy neck mean that the thought of that “watching a tennis-match” feeling of being in a conversation, the to-ing and fro-ing of words from left and right and back again, make your heart sink, and might even make you feel excluded?
This is something that I really notice with the arthritis in my neck relating back to a bad car accident I was in when I was 22, so here are some strategies that I have developed over the years. Or these might be useful suggestions to offer to your older relations.
1. If you’re sitting at a long table, try to be at the end, or at least at a corner. That way you won’t have to be turning your head and neck as much as if you’re sat on one of the sides with people to your left and right
Similarly, if you’re sitting around chatting in the living room, seat yourself strategically – either at one end, or at a corner point in the seating. It’s the same principle.
Similarly if you are watching television, make sure you are facing it straight on and not turning or twisting your neck.
2. Keep your neck warm – whether with a roll-neck jumper, or an elegant scarf or cravat (Xmas pressie idea?) – maybe even rub in a warming gel such as Tiger Balm (tho it does pong a bit), or homoeopathic Rhus Tox cream (good for rheumatic conditions), or if it’s getting painful try an anti-inflammatory gel such as Voltarol.
3. Do some neck loosening exercises to get your neck used to moving:
slowly turn your head to the right as far as it will comfortably go,
and then slowly back to neutral.
Let it settle for a moment, and then slowly to the left as far as it will comfortably go,
and then slowly back to neutral.
Repeat this a couple of times, and then once your neck has warmed up a little, do it again without the pausing at neutral each time
And if necessary, take some painkillers! They have their place in the scheme of things, and if they help you enjoy and feel able to take part in these seasonal family gatherings, well and good.
If you are aware that your neck has been suffering, do think about going to see a registered osteopath such as myself, who will be able to loosen things up for you.
If you are out of my catchment areas of North Herts and SE London I am happy to look up a practitioner near you – or offer you an online consultation via Zoom – I am always happy to help 😊