"Oh, my aching neck and face" signs of summer for many with allergies

July 5, 2:54 PMLittle Rock Holistic Health ExaminerSusan Carroll

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Dr. Martinez at Conway's The Natural Healing Center

As flowers burst forth during spring and summer, so flare up allergies accompanied by muscle aches, irritability and lethargy. According to The Natural Healing Center's chiropractor, acupuncturist and nutritional counselor in Conway, Dr. Michael Martinez, there is hope for stiff necked allergy sufferers.

Catching a 'cold'  in your neck

If you suffer from spastic torticolollis - a stiff neck - "you've, in effect, caught a cold in your neck." said Dr. Michael Martinez, "there's no real scientific test to prove it, but the changes in humidity this time of year along with pollens, like Dogwood, can wreak havoc for some; it's terrible here in Arkansas this time of  year. Symptoms include a 'crick' in your neck, where you wake up unable to turn your head normally.

The symptoms may also include swollen lymph glands and achiness," said Martinez, "the neck problem is usually related to a subluxation of the top two vertebrae, the atlas-axis junction. Stiffness can be treated with a chiropractic correction."

Allergies, is there hope?

For the further suffering related to pollen stiffness, stuffiness and sneezing, consider acupuncture combined with home therapy. "Where there is thick mucus in the nose related to the antigenic properties in the pollen," said Martinez, "along with the stiffness, you may find sinusitis, headaches and irritability. A course of acupuncture and facial massage, along with heat treatment usually offers symptomatic relief."

Home hint for summer allergy and stiffness

"Don't forget the Vick's," said Martinez, "along with massaging areas that are sore, try using the shower. Hit yourself full force in the face with hot water from the shower. As well, add a teaspoonful of Vick's dropped into a glass of hot water and place it inside the shower with you. It can definitely help." For safety, be sure to use a non-breakable mug in the shower with you.