Added to my list of "weird things about my body that I might need to take care of soon" is: a Ganglion cyst.

Ugggh!

At least it's relatively harmless. Just odd-looking, that's all.

Figured I'd share some info, in case others are experiencing something similar...

A ganglion cyst is a tumor or swelling on top of a joint or the covering of a tendon (tissue that connects muscle to bone). It looks like a sac of liquid (cyst). Inside the cyst is a thick, sticky, clear, colorless, jellylike material. Depending on the size, cysts may feel firm or spongy. Source

Seriously.

If you've got neck pain like I've got neck pain, then you're not functioning on all cylinders 24/7 like you should be.

Take it from me... the following neck stretches REALLY work!

Try these simple moves that increase "neck flex" and "neck strength" the next time you've got a pain in the neck!

As I've written here before, I go to a chiropractor regularly. It started as treatment for carpal tunnel, shoulder, and neck pain.

After monthly visits over the course of 7 months or so, I tried weaning myself off of chiropractor visits. However, largely due to the fact that I spend upwards of 13 hours a day at a computer, the pain managed to creep back into my neck and shoulders again.

So now I go in for a chiropractic adjustment "as needed", which is about every other month.

A Chiropractor Can Cure Whatever Ails You
There are certainly a number of benefits to having a chiropractor put your body back in alignment through a series of adjustments called "spinal manipulations".

However, there's also a serious warning about neck adjustments that I just learned about.

Following is some important advice before letting a chiropractor crack your neck, including some of the risks associated with chiropractic neck adjustments...

He tried to teach me about sublixations and the science of chiropractic medicine.

What he REALLY taught me was:

• ...the best sleep positions
• ...how to keep your body in alignment yourself
• ...how to treat lower back pain
• ...the value of hot/cold packs

For the past year, I've been going to a chiropractor. It became necessary after I started experiencing incredible tension in my neck and shoulders -- from all the time I spend at the computer.

I was actually very, very (VERY!) skeptical of chiropractors at first. I had always heard that once you START going, you can't STOP because they talk you into needing adjustments for the rest of your life.

What I found: This is true.

BUT...

If you think you might be experiencing signs of Carpal Tunnel (or RSI: Repetitive Strain Injury), read Part One of this 2-part article to help you assess the problem first.

Following are a variety of things that you can do to alleviate the pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by making your work space more ergonomic. Use these tips to make adjustments in your current work space or to help you when making purchasing decisions on a new items for your home or work office.

Personal and professional treatments and recommendations are also listed.

If you spend a good deal of time at the computer (and you're anything like me), then you probably think that carpal tunnel is just something you've got to live with. I know I did...

Until recently, when I woke up in the middle of the night begging my husband (at 3AM!) to help me decide whether ice packs or heat packs would be best for easing the incredible pain I was having in the middle of my right wrist/palm area. It just wouldn't go away and kept alternating between a sharp pain and a throbbing ache.

I made it through the night, then after much research, I found a number of things that I could do to make my work station (at home and at work) more ergonomic, relieving the symptoms of carpal tunnel and RSI.

Here's a Warning: I found it printed somewhere that it's not uncommon for people to have to leave computer-dependent careers as a result, or even to be disabled and unable to perform tasks such as driving or dressing themselves. This can become a serious issue if you don't take steps to lessen the discomfort EARLY!