Massage therapy session for neck?

Question

I'm starting to look into massage therapy for a stiff neck. I pulled a neck muscle about a month ago, and the muscle seems to be healing, but because I didn't start range of motion movements soon enough, my neck became very stiff, and often painful to move.

I was wondering how much one typical session would cost, and how often I should go. I know that it will all depend on the therapist and what he/she suggests, but I'm just looking for ballpark figures here so I know what to expect.

Also, I haven't been to see a doctor about it since the pulled neck muscle originally happened. I decided the copay wasn't worth hearing, "you have a stiff neck, see a chiropractor." Would the therapist first suggest getting an MRI or anything to make sure that nothing is seriouslly wrong with any bones? I don't think that is the case, but I'm new to this whole thing.

Thank you!

Answer 1

I'm a licensed Massage Therapist and I can give you a general idea of what you could do.
Firstly, it depends on how your injury started. If it was something simple like, sleeping wrong or jerking it around too quickly. I see no need for a chiropractor. If your injury was more serious, like a car accident - then yes, any *good* therapist would suggest you see your primary physician. In fact you can get a prescription for massage and a lot of insurances are starting to recognize massage as a form of treatment, thus paying us for it :)
Costs run anywhere from $45-80 an hour depending on where you are and the therapists level of training. If you see a therapist for just a basic massage, it will be a lesser amount. I personally charge $45 for a 45 minute basic Swedish relaxation massage, and depending on your injury I would see you once a week or even every other week. However, if you want someone to specialize on your neck, such as someone who practices Neuromuscular Therapy - which sounds like what you may need. That will probably run $60-$100. They would want to see you more often, maybe even twice a week. Their goal would be to help heal the muscle as well as relax it.
Either way - try and do your range of motion exercise daily!

Answer 2

You might consider a chiropractor even with your comments. She will likely take an xray, not an MRI. You may very well be out of alignment with that pulled muscle and once you are out, it continues to be painful. Your body will get use to your being in the "out" positon and can cause more problems in the future.

I have degenerative disc disease in my neck and I see a chiropractor once a month. My neck feels 100% better!
See this article on chiropractic...
History taking is the first step in diagnosing the cervical spine. Because chiropractors so often treat conditions that are "functional" in nature -- that is conditions in which there are not a frank medical disease, and in which signs and symptoms are often important clues to diagnosis -- chiropractors emphasize in-depth history taking.

Initially the chiropractor will want to know if there has been an accident or injury. A patient who has sustained a neck fracture will present with an abnormally stiff and painful neck. The chiropractor will want to know if there has been trauma to the neck from a fall or other traumatic incident. If there is suspicion of a neck fracture from such an incident, or secondary to an organic disease, the chiropractor will call for a spinal x-ray or imaging study prior to any further examination of the neck.

Chiropractic patient history taking is the same as in a typical medical office with some important differences. The "what, when, and how" of an injury, and the location and nature of the neck pain is supplemented with information on possible episodes of middle and lower back pain, as well as muscle and extremity joint pain. Even when neck pain is the primary presenting complaint, chiropractic always considers the whole spine, of which the neck is one part of an integrated biomechanical system.

Answer 3

Typically, a one hour massage costs about 60 dollars. Each person is different, but your neck would probably see some improvement after each visit, esp. if you follow the recommendations they give you. Try to go once a week for 4 weeks and then see how you are feeling.

Answer 4

massage therapy session neck

Answer 5

Curly is right.