The Causes Of Neck Pain And Some Solutions

neck pain

All the body organs are interdependent and if one suffers the rest also feel the impact. Are you one of those who gets sleepless nights due to neck pains? The big question is always about how neck pain comes about. The pain does not only affect your sleeping position but also alters your productivity on your daily chores. Concentration becomes hard and in some cases even turning your head can be pretty hard. Nevertheless, it does not mean that you should suffer forever as long as you understand the main causes of neck pains and the available remedies.

Wear and tear
Just like the other parts of the body, various muscles which are prone to wear and tear surround the neck. The bones and joints around your neck are also victims of straining which is accompanied by pain. The condition is known as cervical spondylosis and usually occurs with old age. This condition sometimes causes neck stiffness while in others it does not even show the slightest of the symptoms. The pain can also spread to the nearby nerves which may result in numbness in the arms and legs as well. This pain calls for medical examination and fades away after a few weeks of treatment.

Locked neck
Most people experience neck pains as a result of bad posture or poor sleeping position. May be you are one of those who occasionally wakes-up with a neck pain, it has something to do with how you sleep. Your neck requires adequate support while you are sleeping and make sure the material is soft. Carrying unbalanced loads can also cause neck pains. Another possible cause of a twisted neck is poor workout routines. Ensure that you balance your workout routines especially when exercising your shoulders. Sometimes the pain will just fade away without treatment while in acute cases it can take up to two weeks and may require a physician.

This condition is common due to sudden movement of the head backward, forward or sideways. A good example is when an accident occurs, and as a result, the head damages and overstretches the ligaments and tendons around the neck. Whiplash causes headaches and painful neck movements and requires medical attention in extreme cases.

Tension headaches
Muscle contractions around the neck and head region cause tension headaches. It is common for people who stare at their computers for long durations as well as long distance drivers. Ensure that you have a good workstation so that you always on an upright posture when working for long hours.

Pinched nerve
This condition refers to the pain that originates from a peripheral nerve that experiences excessive pressure. Most nerves are susceptible to such pressure, and the pain can also extend to the back muscles. Some of the causes are poor posture, leaning on elbows and crossing of the legs.

If you have a flat neck, then a neck orthotic such as the Denneroll might be useful.

In some cases, you may require medical attention while in other the pain will just disappear naturally. It is wise to understand the cause of your pain so as to determine the best approach to use.

Surprising and Interesting Applications for Fabric Spray Paint

Simply Spray is a brand of spray paints with a diverse range of uses. Fabric and Upholstery spray paints are two of the most commonly used by do-it-yourself homeowners, crafters, and professionals alike. It can be used to quickly and efficiently paint upholstered furnishings, car upholstery, t-shirts, and other textiles in and around the home.

These applications may include some you might not have heard of before.


Placemat & Napkin Sets

Muslin fabric is an inexpensive option and most used for home textiles like napkins and placemats. You can create a simple, colorful, or patterned napkin and placemat set with Simply Spray Fabric Spray Paint. Here is an example from their website.


Something like this elegant placemat and napkin set designed by Linda Peterson may take some practice, but the results are quite professional. You can do this same type of project.


Personalised Pillowcase

Personalisation is another application for fabric paint. Personalised pillowcases make a lovely gift or decorative element for any bedroom in your home. This one, from the Simply Spray website is for a child’s room.


You can use stamps, stencils, and Simply Spray in one of any of its vast colour spectrum to create a custom pillowcase for yourself, a friend, your child, or anyone that you think would like such a thoughtful gift.


Beach Towel & Tote Set

Summertime is when people enjoy getting out in the sun. Going to the beach is a popular summertime activity enjoyed by young and old alike. This example from the website shows a bright and lovely example of a beach towel and matching tote set by Linda Peterson that you can make or get inspired by.


This would be a fun group project to do with friends or your children, especially those who enjoy beach activities.

You can use any one of these three projects to enhance your home, make a gift, or enjoy quality time with your children or friends. Almost any fabric can be painted using fabric paint, so you can paint until your heart’s content with Simply Spray.


FAQs about Fabric Spray

  • A single can of Upholstery Fabric Paint can cover about 17 square feet. Remember to always test your fabric for absorption so you know how much or how little to use for your project.
  • Fabric spray paint dries soft, not stiff or hard like conventional spray paints, which is why it’s such a valuable asset for fabric projects.
  • It’s advisable that the fabric paint color you use be darker than the material you’re working with for best results. For example, you can paint a beige chair red, but you can’t paint a red chair beige with good results.
  • After 72 hours, fabric spray paint is colorfast and shouldn’t rub off on you or anything around your project. Always make sure it’s dry and won’t rub off using your hand to test it before placing or wearing your project.
  • You can wash any project you paint with fabric spray paint after 72 hours just as you would any other fabric or upholstered item in your home.

Simply Spray Fabric Paints are non-toxic, almost odourless, non-flammable, and safe for use with children.


This is a sponsored article.

Auction Strategies: Learn What Does and Doesn’t Work


People have all sorts of ideas for auction strategies, but what does and doesn’t work? Here are the most common auction strategies and how effective they are.

Strategies that don’t work:

  • Gut instinct is a bad strategy at auctions. Leave your emotions and pride at home. The auction ideal boils down to who is willing to pay the most for item being auctioned.
  • Hiding in the back of the auction crowd won’t do you any good. You must be present and seen to bid. Hiding at best prevents you from winning anything and at worst makes you seem like you’re weak.
  • Waiting until the last second(s) to bid is a bad auction strategy. You don’t want to enter the bidding too soon, and you don’t want to wait to the last second either. You could end up with poor timing and lose, or even achieve nothing.
  • Dressing to impress is another strategy that doesn’t work. Some people might consider how you dress or what you drive to be intimidating, but it’s not. The wealth of a person isn’t reflected by what they wear or drive.
  • Avoid crazy bid amounts because you will achieve nothing. At most auctions, you will just look silly.

Strategies that might work:

  • Avoid bidding on property until it’s on the market. Why would you bid on property that’s not up for sale yet? Auction agents are anxious for that initial bid so they can start building momentum. Don’t play into their hands. If the property appears to be of little interest and no bids are given, throw out a low bid and see what happens.
  • Set an odd number for your limit. Most people set their property values in round numbers like $800,000. Consider making your limit something like $803,000 because sometimes that small amount can be the difference in winning or losing the property.
  • Say the full amount of your bid. It pays to be clear and succinct at auctions. It makes you appear confident and allows everyone to hear the full amount you’re bidding.

Strategies that do work:

  • Bid with confidence. The second someone bids against you, shout out your bid. This works because it makes your intentions known. They will know you’re serious, but not your limit, so they may hesitate to continue bidding. When bidders get quiet or hesitant, they are getting close to their limit, so keep bidding within your limit.
  • Make a solid bid early to knock out weak bidders. Make a strong bid early on to eliminate less serious bidders. Leave ample room between your low bid and your final budget so you have some leverage and can get the property at the best price.
  • Know the market value. It’s important to know the value of the property. Do some research before the auction to gain the edge. This is how you know where to set your limit and know when to quit if the bidding gets too high.
  • Stick to your limit! Know the market and create the limit you are willing to bid. Stick to that limit no matter what. If you know the value, but the bidding goes above your limit, stop because then it’s no longer an asset you want.
  • Know the auction process. Learn about the auction process when you’re a beginner. Go to auctions first to watch how everything unfolds. Get familiar with it in your region. This is one of the easiest ways to create a good auction strategy and avoid costly mistakes. Learn how to make a bid, what your bid means, and what kind of deposit is required if you win.

Essentially, you need to know what you want and what it’s worth, understand the auction process, be confident, and know and stick to your budget. These tips will help you be a winner, or at least to avoid costly mistakes.


This article has been supplied by This information is not intended as advice and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Always seek professional financial advice.

Educational: How Do They Make Ink?


Ink is created from a variety of dyes and oils that come from several sources that are formulated to suit a specific purpose. For instance, black ink is made from carbon black exclusively for use as a dye, but other pigments are used to produce virtually every color of the rainbow that you find in printing nowadays.  Some inks include resins to help keep the pigments bound together and to make them suitable for printing on specific surfaces.

One crucial part of the process for making black ink is wetting the carbon black during the premixing process. After that, any pigment that is necessary is added to the oil to create the desired viscosity, which affects how the fluid flows in the printing process. The goal of this process is to create inks that provide the ideal dispersion onto whatever material is being printed on. There are several configurations performed by machines that can alter the mixing and flow options for printing.

Premixing is necessary to ensure no trapped air is left in the ink formulation. High-speed dispersers are used to premix inks. Once the premix is taken through the disperser, it is mixed more and then additional oil and/or resin is added to achieve the ideal milling viscosity, also known as the mill base. The ink pigment is run through a chamber that creates smaller particle sizes, which is determined by the dispersion requirements.

After that, the ink pigment endures a variety of filtration steps used to eliminate large particulates in case any metal is left behind from the milling process. The tiniest of metal pieces can be filtered through an electromagnetic filter designed to grab metal fragments.

Once all metal fragments are eliminated, the pigment is pumped into a letdown tank to make final adjustments to the ink. This is done to meet the needs of customers with specific printing needs.

Color inks are processed differently than black inks. Flushed pigments are used instead of dry pigments like carbon black.

The final stage of manufacturing color pigments involves filtering the water-based mixture that is then put in a concentrated form called a presscake. The presscake is mixed with an oil-based varnish to extract extraneous water from the pigment. That process uses a heating and vacuuming action.

Why do they flush pigments? They put color pigments through a flushing process so that the pigments will be dispersed evenly throughout the ink medium. Flushing also helps manufacturers avoid expending the high-energy use that comes from using milling machines. The raw materials like oils, extenders, and varnishes must be thoroughly mixed at a consistent temperature to prevent pigment deterioration in the process.

After the mixing is done, the ink is tested for quality to ensure it meets all the requirements. Then it goes through a series of filtration processes to remove oversized particles just like what is done for black ink that removes metal particles. Sometimes oversized particles stay behind due to the processes the color ink goes through, and those particles must be removed. After that final process is complete, the ink is shipped to its respective customers for their use.

These are the basics steps taken in the manufacturing of black and color ink. While there are other technologies some manufacturers use in addition to these, the basics remain intact in the manufacturing of ink.


Article by Needham Ink

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Article by David Share from Amazing Support

The History of Boxing


Some say that boxing is the oldest martial art, and there is a real argument for that statement.  Ever since our simian ancestors learnt to ball up their hands into fists and use it to brutal (even deadly) efficiency, mankind has engaged in some form of hand-to-hand combat.  As time rolled on, early man refined its fighting techniques.  Survival instinct, became military requisite, this flowed into an art form and then became sport.  Each age and epoch adding its own element, style and flavor to what will come to be known as boxing.


Even though fist fighting has existed since the dawn of time, the earliest recordings came not from Europe or the America’s, but from what is known the Middle East and the Cradle of Civilization.  Depictions of fist fighting as a form of contest was depicted in early Sumerian reliefs in Iraq.  Then like most events, activities, inventions and food of the time it spread to the other great nations of the area and Asia Minor.  Excavations from Assyrian, Babylonian and Hittite sites revealed images of figures who were undoubtedly engaged in a primitive boxing match.


The sport then spread westward, through the Aegean and Mediterranean.  Sardinians were boxing each other around 2000-1000 BCE, and the Minoans of Crete took up the sport around 1650-1400 BCE.  The ancient Greeks introduced the sport into the Olympic Games in BCE 688 and called it pygme or pygmachia.  The Romans, in their typical fashion, brought the sport to a whole new, bloodier and deadlier level during their time of prominence.  In the Amphitheaters, boxers would fight to the death, but this practice later became unfavorable during the gladiatorial days when the ruling class saw the fighters not just as entertainment but as commodities as well.


As time moved forward, civilization, countries and nations became more organized, more evolved, and so did boxing.  The combat and brutality was still there, but techniques and rules were implemented and refined.  During the 12th-17th century the sport became huge in Italy.  The development of the sport overlapped with the ongoings in Britain during the 17th century from which the majority of what we know as boxing today came from.  The Marquess of Queensberry rules were written under the patronage of, who else, the Marquess of Queensberry and was the official rules of fist fighting from 1867 all the way until the modern era.


The 19th and 20th centuries saw the rise of timed rounds, and the mandatory use of leather and padded gloves (even though statues of ancient Roman boxers have been excavated showing them with leather wraps around their hands) and weight divisions.  The sport also broke free of regional and national boundaries becoming a true global sport.  These days boxing events draw some of the largest crowds, both live and televised, throughout the entire world of sports.


An event in the modern Olympic Games since the early 1900s, boxing is now an international sport practiced by men and women of all ages, and from reasons ranging from serious competition to the promotion of physical fitness.  Boxing is special in that it has existed almost as long as we have and will enjoy a healthy future as well.


Article contributed by London Fight Factory.

Three Things to Consider to Make a Great Investment


Anyone who is considering investing in real estate probably wants to profit from it. The end goal of real estate investing is to make money on each deal, which results in creating wealth. Another goal of real estate investors is to spend as little time as possible tending to the properties in which they invest. Here are some goals to set so you will achieve the optimal end game in real estate investing.


Minimal Risk Investing

While real estate investing provides highly profitable wealth creation, it is exceedingly risky when you don’t understand the types of property investing available to you. For instance, private real estate funds, land, TIC (Tenant-In-Common) investments, fixer-upper houses, and the like come with a higher risk than buying a well-established, cash flow type investment property.

It isn’t uncommon to reap little to no return on your investment with the riskier types of real estate. If you do reap any profits, they are usually too low to account for the time, effort, and money you put into them. There are simply too many things that can go awry with risky property investments. Reduce the risk in property investing by performing due diligence, research, analysis, testing, reviews, and reliable professional property advice.


Fair Cash-on-Cash Return Investing

When you invest in property, you are taking money from your fluid form of financial assets and putting into an extremely illiquid asset; real estate. Fluid forms of assets include a traditional bank account, savings, stocks, CDs, bonds, and such. In the case where you are taking fluid assets that are earning interest (CDs, stocks, bonds, etc.), your goal should be to aim for the fair cash-on-cash return concept.

How can you accomplish this? Pro forma (calculate present and future financial returns) your real estate deals and invest in cash flow positive property for a better ROI (return on investment). Avoid properties that are negative in nature, like high-risk or high-maintenance properties, even if they seem to be “prime”.


Low-Maintenance Property Investing

Sometimes, cheaper property will seem appealing, but be careful of these properties. Beware of fixer-uppers, “needs a little TLC” properties, and real estate that will require a lot of management and a lot of your time. Maintenance companies are expensive. Examples of high-maintenance properties include cheap houses in atrocious areas, vacation rentals, college rentals, and other like real estate.

Stick to basic and boring real estate that requires little of your time, needs less management, and that can be rented for long periods of time to tenants with proper credit profiles. Idyllic tenants don’t require babysitting, but remember to treat them with respect and build a favorable relationship with them. That way, as issues arise (and they will), there will be fewer hassles when addressing them.

Overall, the best real estate investment still remains in the old standbys –  boring, totally-owned, in satisfactory condition, cash-flow positive properties. These properties are available to you, but you won’t often find them on MLS listing all the time. You will need to do some foot work, some research, reading, and due diligence to find and accrue the best real estate investments.