Question
Hi,
I have a hypolordosis of the neck. I have been struggling with terrible neck and upper back pain, but mostly my neck. I especially struggle with neck spasms. Is there anything I can do to relieve this besides taking meds. Right now I take a lot of motrin just to be able to function as a mom. I would love to find out if there is a way to correct this so I can decrease the pain, or even be pain free. Thanks

Answer
Dear Military Neck,
First Military neck is more prevalent than most people would believe so you are not the only one who is plagued by this health issue. I realize this does not help your situation but neither is taking excessive amounts of Motrin. Please buyer  beware of the side effects of over medicating with OTCs (Over The Counter Meds). Some if not all can affect your liver,Kidney's, bladder and Urethra. Covering up your pain and continuing on the same activity levels is not going to work either and most likely will make your condition to become worse.

Try applying a cold compress which you can make at home with a quart size seal able baggie filled with ice. You would want to apply the ice to the neck and upper back while laying supine ( on your back) on a carpeted area. The pressure from your head and neck will provide the necessary pressure to help with the inflammatory cascade in your neck muscles. Do not wrap the baggie with a towel. You should use 2 layers or paper towel between you and the ice bag. The ice bag, when icing the neck should be very full. Now only ice the neck and upper back for a maximum of 7-8 minutes. Then take a ten minute break and then repeat ice for a second 7-8 minute session; ten minute period at the max.

Another way to get some relief is to help put the curve back in your cervical (neck) spine. Try getting a hand towel and roll it up as neatly and tightly as you can. Place this roll at the base of your neck where it meets your upper back and lay on it while lying on your back in a carpeted area. It should feel like your chin is pointing slightly upward as if you are bending your head backwards. Please note that the back of your head should not touch the floor. You could graduate your time on the neck roll from a starting point of 3 minutes and build as per your tolerance.

Here are some dont's: Pinch the phone between neck and shoulder,Do not use heat, do not spend too much time on your computer or playing video games, do not sleep with more than one pillow, do not slouch!! Correcting posture is somewhat painful and time consuming because poor posture is not an event it is a process and so is it's correction. You need to stand tall at attention and pull your head backward so that your ear is over your spine. This will seem very odd and incorrect to you at first but if you work at it it will change your life.

Additionally you are at a place where you need to seek care from medical personal. I would suggest a Chiropractor and a Massage Therapist in your area. Also once again please be careful otf the amount of OTCs you are taking and when it comes to medication you need the advice of a MD.

Here is an posture correction that is easy to do but difficult to describe. OK here goes:
Lie face down on the floor with your arms at your side palms down and slightly out from your sides. Now draw your chin down towards your chest like you are trying to make a "double-chin". Now what you do is lift your entire head off the ground straight toward the ceiling as far as you can with out causing pain. At the same time you will raise your arms at the shoulders up off the floor. Hold for a few seconds and then relax and repeat. This easy to demonstrate but hard to describe.

I sincerely hope these suggestions help but I opine that your are in need of a health care practictioner to get a physical exam of your neck and upper back.