Neck pain....?

Question

I woke up with a serious neck pain all the way down to my spine. I can't even move my neck without my back hurting.
Any simple, fast ways to make it better?

Chiropractor not an option.

Babygirl: What cutie? The little baby? LOL

Ms Sophi: you're not a virgo by any chance, are you?

Answer 1

Hot bath always works best for me. You might add some epson salts if you have them. It's supposed to help.

Before you get in, I'd definately do the ice pack, but not longer than 20 min. If you keep it on longer than that, it makes the veins close up too much to keep the blood flow going well.

You also might try, if you have some help, to lay on the floor with your calves laying on the couch or a chair. So that your back is flat on the floor. Put both arms straight out to your sides and slowing move them up to touch together to see what your range of motion is. If you can do this than reach one are over your chest to stretch out the muscles, then the other arm. Don't overdo. Just do it until it is gently pulling the muscles. Then you can slowing move your neck to look right and left, to see what that range of motion is. Even moving it forward touching your chin to your chest. Never excersise your neck by flipping your head back, it is bad for your neck and spine!

A massage is usually a help. If you don't have someone to do it, you can lay a small golf ball or tennis ball on the floor and lay the sorest part of your back on it to see if you can take the pressure. Do this only for a couple of minutes at a time to try and get the knots out of your muscles. If it hurts too much, DONT CONTINUE. Never put direct pressure from anything on you spine or bones. It hurts and doesn't relax your muscles.

Hope you get better quickly!
Blessings!

Answer 2

As one person said - get to a doc. If you were fine when you went to bed and you are in that much pain upon waking, something is wrong. If xrays show nothing is wrong then alternate ice and heat for 20 minute each. Give a break between each - I don't know an hour? Then also throw in the Motrin. The doc may even give you a script for something better. Could be anything from a narcotic, to a muscle relaxant, to any of the anti inflammatories, maybe even a cervical collar to rest it for a day or so. Still I say the doc is the way to go. May be something more serious going on, maybe not. Who knows?

Answer 3

Take a hot shower and let the spray hit you where it hurts the most. Massage the affected area under water for about 7 to 10 minutes. After the shower apply Bengay ( there is one with vanishing scent and it is non-greasy) on the affected area and thoroughly massage it until the cream is absorbed completely. Wear a sweater with a high neck to keep the area warm throughout the day. Now, you might have to purchase a new pillow, because bad support gives you similar symptoms. Taking a pain reliever might not be a bad idea as well. Good luck, sweetheart. I hope you feel better soon.

Edit: Nope Lioness, I am a full blown Taurus. Occasionally my husband has to deal with my legendary stubbornness ( poor man ), but he loves me anyway ( thank God for that ).

Answer 4

Massage and heat. Hot baths, heating pads. I get the same thing once or twice a year and it hangs around for weeks, unless I get heat on it for three or four days running.

If yours is like mine, there is no amount of stretching that will get the spot, although I find yoga equalizes the binding across the right muscle groups so the bind has a chance to spread out and release. Tai Chi also helps me relax my upper body (specifically my arms, head, and shoulders) to a great degree, while promoting good posture. I have found that laying off my run and substituting both disciplines when my back and shoulders hurt that way is very helpful, also. Drink plenty of extra water, as this can help clear the 'stress chemicals' much more quickly, also loose, gentle motion. I used to use Tiger Balm and Chili Patches, but it seems that actual heat helps, while the 'hot sensation' helped me little, if at all.

How's your habitual computer posture? If I slouch for hours, the 'hanging' action of my head and shoulders on my upper back tends to cause these attacks, also, being too high up or too low in my pillows. Trading out my computer chair for a chaise has helped me eliminate my habit of 'screen hunkering' so this rarely bothers me, anymore.

Answer 5

Simple yes, fast no. Rest is really the best thing. Heat, as in a heating pad, can bring your relief. I'd think that something like Bengay that provides heat would also help with the pain. A massage will also bring relief if you can get someone to do that for you. In our local Whole Foods market you can get like a 10 minute chair massage for like $15. Also some kind of pain reliever like Motrin.

Answer 6

Take a hot shower and let the water hit your neck and back for at least 10 mins or soak in a hot bath. Then do gentle stretches for the neck and back...gentle yoga is good I find the standing cat and cow really helps a lot!

Hope you feel better soon.

Answer 7

Fill that tub of yours and take a hot/warm bath.That always did it for me.After that,load up on some ibuprofen(600mg).
After you do that,wait for about 30 minutes for the pills to take effect and have that special cutie of your (you know,the one on that picture)give you a good massage.

P.S:if you get in heat,ask him to leave the room........lol
cause you won't be ready to do the a** bumping yet.

Good luck baby,
Hope you'll feel better soon!!!

Answer 8

I'd offer an acupressure/neck massage but given the distance...

Listen to Cone, Margaret, Josh G, Hala, and ms. between them, they covered everything I was going to suggest!

Feel better soon!

Answer 9

ibuprofen, ice on area where it hurts for 20 min then take of for 20, repeat about 3 times.

A hot bath, and i mean as hot as you can take, this will relax the muscles in your neck/back.
Deep heat spray/cream works well to.

Answer 10

Wet or damp heating pad. You can buy one at many drug stores. The wet heat goes deeply into the muscles, more so then dry heat. Try Advil too. Good luck.