I think I've torn or sprained the muscle on the left side of my neck what can I do for the pain?

Question

This morning when I was sleeping I went to turn or lay a different way and I felt this horrible pain in my neck like I tore something. I layed my head down and fell asleep for a little while longer and then when I went to get up out of the bed I was hit with this excruciating pain on the left side of my neck. I tried getting up but it seemed impossible and then finally after about 30 minutes of pressing my hand tightly against the spot that hurt and slowly moving my body I was able to get up. The pain is less intense when I'm standing but I cannot lay down or sit without feeling this pain. I also can't move my neck forward too far, backwards too far or to the left too far without feeling this excruciating pain. What can I do to ease this pain please throw me some suggestions this is horrible.

Answer 1

Ice Ice Ice - take 4 ibuprofen (I'm serious) and ice for 20 - 10 off - 20 on -

The ice will help the inflammation as well as the ibuprofen, which will also help the pain

See your chiropractor too

FP

Answer 2

Muscle pain with OTC Aleve works best.

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas (natural muscle relaxers) daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, (if this does not do it you probably need a chiropractor as well) you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 3

Ice for the first 24 to 48 hours then heat , however go see a doc RIGHT AWAY, especially with neck pain. I am a therapist and I always advise someone complaining of neck pain to see thier doctor first just to be safe. Also don't be too quick to take a pill like most people do, it is getting out of hand. It is a wonder anyone has a liver any more , peace.

Answer 4

Ibuprofen for the pain. You can take 4 of the over counter pills. for a total of 800 MG three times daily. You can also do ice for 15 minutes on the neck, then heat for 15 minutes. If you have a vibrator of any kind, try using that on the area also. If not better you might need a muscle relaxer which is a prescription . Good luck. I know what you are feeling..