What do you do if you pulled something in your neck and back?

Question

I ddn't wake up this way, it happend while I was awake and standing. I can hardly move my neck to the right. I've used heating pads and it's still there. I can't sleep good, and it hurts to get up.

Answer 1

Ha. I've got the same problem as you only it's on the left.
Don't use heat.....try a cold compress instead. This is the only thing working for me right now in addition to a warm shower after the ice and tons of Advil.

As for sleeping....I've been sleeping on my back, or at least trying to without my pillow. To get up in the morning, do the log roll. Roll your legs out first, then your torso...I end up standing on the floor with my head resting on the bed and then slowly rise trying to keep my head aligned with my back. SO much easier than trying to sit upright and then getting out.

I'm going to a DC tomorrow...never been before so this should be interesting. I've been struggling since Saturday.

Answer 2

I can't believe how crazy people get about the chiropractor vs. doctor thing. My husband went to school for 8 years to be a chiropractor- the last 4 of which were specializing in the bones, muscles and specifically- the spine. It's just like any other profession in the world- there are great ones and not very great ones. You just need to find a great one. Quite frankly- I think doctors have their place as far as their services are concerned, but I have far better attention, service and results from chiropractors. (which I have been seeing since I was a teenager)
Stop using heat. Ice is best. Go see a chiropractor- If you are not comfortable with having your neck "popped" then find a chiropractor who uses a technique called activator. It's more gentle and very effective. If they are concerned, many chiropractors will not adjust your back until they have taken an x-ray to rule out anything serious. Also- there is a product called biofreeze that is a little like icy-hot, but far better. It's sold through chiropractors, but you might find it elsewhere. Biofreeze will really help with the pain so you can do your day to day things while healing. You might try to take it easy for a few days if possible. Good luck!

Answer 3

I have pretty bad back problems, and I've found a few things that work for me, first off, get away from the heating pads, go with an ice bag wrapped in a towel or something, heat feels great at first, but think about it, heat expands, cold contracts, so heat actually can make things worse. Second, stretching excercises. Now since you're already injured, you don't want to do these to vigorously, if it hurts, stop. If you can see a legit chiropractor, ask about a TENS Unit...they run around 70, 80 bucks these days for a good one, and ,man, are they worth it!

Answer 4

hink real hard and see if you moved anything heavy,or to overuse any muscles yesterday? What about holding the phone between your neck and ear? I'm just giving you some ideas ,it always comes down to something you did.
. Applying cold packs is what you need. Not heat.Take some Advil,or Motrin to help with the swelling.
Take your left hand and place it between the shoulder and neck on the right side..Now gently grasp with your whole hand, not grab that muscles. You will grasp and pull up towards the sky and squeeze for a second,let go all the way.You want to squeeze and release.This shouldn't hurt but just a second.It could also help start the release of the sore muscles.
Or stand at the corner of your room and find the place that's hurting you,and roll up and down. Like some people scratch their back on the corner of a room,you will do the same thing.Locate the muscle and just even if for a min.go back and forth.... It sounds like a kink that we all get.Yes,they make you feel sick and you hurt. You could take magnesium it has natural muscles relaxers in it.

Answer 5

Strained Neck From Sleeping

Answer 6

Use ice. Take Advil for the pain, it works better than the other pain relievers for pain of this sort. You can also try aspercreme for some temporary immediate relief.
You will need to see a chiropractor, preferably a kineseologist. Many chiropractor will have you get x rays first too, so they can really see where the damage is. My chiropractor also has a massage therapist to work on me before he sets me, it helps loosen the muscles up and makes the treatment work better. Sometimes going to a really good massage therapist is very effective to maintain your neck and back.

Find a pillow that works for you and sleep with only that one. I find a very thin flat one works better. Ones that are too large make it bend too much.

I tried muscle relaxer drugs once and wound up with an ulcer as well as my neck hurting.
Once you feel better you can use yoga and pilates to strenghten your core and keep it from happening again.

I have injured all of the vertebrae in my neck at one time or another in different accidents throughout my life, yes all of them from C 1 to C 7, and with these techniques I am just fine, work lots of hours and have lots of energy. I have also had the nerves pinched in my neck a couple of times. You can tell if the nerve is involved if the pain radiates down your collar bone area and down the shoulder and arm. Exercising does help to keep yourself "in shape" in more ways than one.

Unfortunately once you do this, it can go out again on you easily in the future. The techniques I've described have given me the most relief over the years, but mine will still hurt periodically.

Answer 7

i have lived with that condition for many years due to a car wreck. If you get any tingling or fingers curling up especially the pinkie and ring finger your have a pinched nerve Sometimes i have to take muscle relaxers but most of the time i sleep with a down pillow and do stretching exercises. it normally last about a week but will taper off then. I have tried a chiropractor but has no adverse effect due to the fact it is a muscle that has been pulled just like you pull a muscle in your leg. When it comes to your back you must know kidney problems will give you symptoms of a pulled muscle. If your not sure go to the doctors. Heat pad works the best for me. I have found out ,if you daily stretches it lessin`s the chance of it reoccurring.

Answer 8

Clearly, the one thing you should NOT do is accept advice from the masses on Yahoo Answers! It's pretty clear why so many Americans suffer from back pain!

You need to see a chiropractor who is trained in rehabilitation or employs someone who is. They spend four entire years studying the spine. MD's spend four years studying the entire body and don't know much about back/neck problems at all. Chiropractors are specialists who treat spinal problems all day, every day. There is no other doctor better trained to treat a back injury.

Medications can help with pain, but you are not "fix" your back. Your MD can give you meds, refer you out and order an MRI. Then, it's hard to say where he will send you. When my back flares up, which is rare these days, I keep it simple and go to the chiropractor and the problem is solved.

Answer 9

I cured my sciatica with this natural treatment http://cure-sciatica.info
Normally, I would not answer a question like this as my expertise is generally in medication but I had severe sciatica while I was pregnant with my 3rd child (after having had twins) and I had sciatica so bad that I was finding it difficult to walk. I tried massage therapy and physical therapy and could not take medication
I went to the chiropractor and the pain was instantly relieved. My hips and lower back were out of alignment because I had carried twins the year before. On occasion a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) can also work but they usually only work on one joint at a time - the chiropractor will do your whole back which works faster. Anyone who does not believe in chiropractors will tell you they are quacks - don't listen.
I don't necessarily believe that chiropractors can cure things like diabetes but they can definitely relieve some types of back pain especially if a pinched nerve is involved which is usually the cause of sciatica.

Answer 10

Usually I use cold packs first to cut back on swelling to the pulled or strained area, I usually ice for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first day. I also immobilize it so if it is back or neck you need to lay down and make sure you are well supported. I then call my Doctor, In my case it is one of my two Chiropractors, if it is at work, I call my Chiro in that city, at home, I call the guy here. I see two for that very reason. Some people call their regular doctor. But call someone. I do not typically use heat until the second day as heat can aggravate it if there is inflammation. I take Ibuprofen to take the edge off, but I do not take a lot because I do not like it to mask things if there is a serious problem going on. Sometimes ice for a day, then heat for a day fixes it right up. Usually I have to call up a doctor. So, do not mess with it so much, call a doctor, but try to ice it in case you are causing it more grief with the heat! O^O

Answer 11

While a pulled muscle anywhere in the body is frustrating and painful, the neck may be the worst place to suffer an injury, as we use our necks every minute of every day. While neck strains and pulled muscles should always be treated by a medical professional, these simple tips can help you to treat neck pain at home. Step1-Get plenty of rest for the first few days after injury. Acute injury lasts for the first 2 to 7 days after a muscle injury and is characterized by hot, swollen and tender muscles. During this time, it is important to keep the neck as stationary as possible. Step2-Apply ice to your neck 10 to 25 minutes at a time, four to five times daily to help flush toxins from the muscles, reduce inflammation and soothe pain. When applying ice, make sure that you sit up and keep your head above your heart. Step3-Drink plenty of water as your neck heals. When muscles become injured, they release toxins into the surrounding tissues which can increase pain and stiffness. Drinking water keeps the muscles hydrated and helps the body to remove toxins. Step4-Use heat instead of ice after the acute injury has passed—that is, once swelling and a sensation of heat has reduced. Like ice, apply heat four to five times daily for 10 to 15 minutes to help increase circulation to the area and promote healing. If you notice a flare-up of pain or swelling after applying heat, use ice immediately afterwards. Step5-Perform gentle strengthening and stretching exercises once the acute phase has passed as well, to prevent loss of range of motion and promote healing. Neck injuries are delicate, so always speak to a doctor or physical therapist about what exercises you should do, when and how often. *Here are some stretches that I would recommend.. 1. Flexsion Stretch- Chin to Chest 2. Estension Stretch- Eyes to Sky 3. Rotation- Side to Side 4. Lateral Flexsion- Ear to Shoulder I hope that helped, and good luck I hope your neck gets better soon :)

For the best answers, search on this site https://smarturl.im/aDC61