I am not sure where to post this but hopefully my question might be answered here.  I have a female friend that has near classic length straight black hair.  When in a ponytail, her hair is about 3 1/4 inches in diameter.  Because of the length and weight, she is suffering from neck and back pain and thus she wants to cut it to near mid back by mid March.  I've tried to persuade her not to cut it but she thinks this is the only solution.

If anyone has any recommendations, I will forward them on to her.

Thank you in advance.

Has she been to see a doctor?  Is cutting her hair his recommendation?  If not, I would go to a doctor and make sure her hair is the problem.  It would be a shame to cut all that beautiful hair and then find out that it didn't help.  

I agree, our scalps were created with the strength to hold our hair no matter length or thickness.  Maybe a hot shower/bath and cup of tea would be the first place to start.  A doctor might just tell her it is her hair and without really checking out the cause, she'll cut it.  That would be sad  :'(.  Please ask your friend to really think about it over a cup of tea first.

Debr

Before cutting her hair, I'd suggest reviewing how she is wearing it.  I get neck pain if I wear my classic length hair in a high pony tail, but a low pony tail is fine.  If she wears her hair in a bun, maybe she should move the bun higher or lower on her head.  Splitting the hair into two sections and bunning each one separately (one can wrap around the other if desired).  This can reduce the strain on the scalp considerably.  Maybe she is pulling her hair too tight?  I'd hate to see someone with such a lovely length, lose their hair needlessly.  

Thank you all for making recommendations.  I have forward them to my friend for consideration.

Have a great weekend.   ;)