Pain in the neck...literally!!

I had this problem just last month...went to Dr, was prescribed the muscle relaxant and 800mg ibuprofen to take together. I took them for less than two days and the pain was gone! My recommendation...follow the dr's orders just for the weekend and see if it works.

Also, my doc said to be careful about going to a chiropractor when the muscles are tensed, as it can tend to be worse after a visit to the chiropractor. He recommended waiting until the pain was eased up before visiting a chiropractor if I wanted to.

Dr. James Bogash, my chiropractor, is a miracle worker. Give him a call. ###-###-####. He is on Alma School and the 60. Also, my masseuse Mary Crawford is in the same office and is fabulous. Her number is ###-###-####. Tell them D. sent you. Good luck!

Chiropractor helped me out also. Every now and then I experience the same thing and I visit the chiropractor for 5 good adjustments/visits and I'm cured. I sit at a desk all day long too. Also, you may want to check that your chair height, feet placement and screen levels are all aligned the proper way, believe it or not, it has so much to do with neck pains. Good luck! Feel better.

Yep, its called Massage Therapy and then add chiropractic care...Massage Envy is great and affordable because it sounds like you need to start off going 1X a week until you have it under control...I am in the same boat as you are with same symptoms and this affects my upper back as well. Thanks God for massage therapy or I wouldn't know what to do. If you are wary of massage places get a referal from a trusted source friend, family or doctor.

Go to a chiropractor. Sounds like an ajustment is in order! They will also be able to tell you why it hurts and how you can help yourself to correct the situation in the future.

a massage therapist can also give you some stretching techniques to help.

I have had neck pain for 12 years. Mine is degenerative disc disease, arthritis, herniated discs, etc. Mine started where they didn't see anything either. Read up on facet joint syndrome and see if that fits your symptoms.

I also find deep massage therapy helpful.

I get tension triggered migraines. A massage every 2 weeks at a minimum keeps the gone 90% of the time, and with weekly massages they're gone 99% of the time. My old insurance used to pay with an Rx for massage so what would be $75 only cost me either $7.50 or $11. A LOT cheaper than imatrex.

Please, Please request biofeedback sessions. In the mid 90's I was having severe tension headaches and pain pills just made them worse (re-bound headaches). My neurologist offered a nerve block or biofeedback. I chose biofeedback and I learned in 5 sessions how to relax and relieve the tension in my body. they teach you self hypnosis techniques to help get rid of the stress and tension in your body. I still get regular massages (every other month) as I have active trigger points as well but I have not had the recurrence of the week or month long headaches since I learned the techniques. Stretches, heat, and physical therapy are all good things but learning to let go of that stress is the only long term solution. Good Luck

Hello! I am just catching up on email so I hope that this is still useful. I had the same a few months back from lugging the kids, computer work and crafting. A friend of mine is trained in Accupunture and set a few needles for me. It helped immediately and was gone in a day or two and has not come back.
No medication involved. If you had never had accupuncture and just hear "needles", it is not bad at all. Some I barely felt and the "worst" was less than a pinch and it was so worth it. He chided me for waiting so long to let him know I needed help, and next time I will not wait : )

All the best!

Do you grind your teeth in your sleep? I do and my neck and shoulder often hurt in the morning. Heating pad feels good but if there is inflamation in the muscles, heat makes it worse. Try ice packs. Vitamin E is a natural muscle relaxer, take about 1000 units at a time. It is a water solable vitamin so any exces goes out through urine. Get some Tiger Balm, Walgreens carries it, it is the lifesaver of martial artists, for sore muscles. It is on the same order as Icy Hot or BenGay but works better for me.
One exercise to try-- take the heal of your hand and press your forehead, use the neck muscles to push against the hand, move around to all four sides of your head. I don't know why this works but it relaxes the muscles.

I have found that getting the rice filled towels and microwaving it for about a minute and just laying it across mine when it hurts like that relaxes me and you can use that at work as it is just uncooked rice wrapped in a towel and sewed together. The heat lasts a long time and it isn't hooked to a cord.

D. P.

Chiropractor! I know some are afraid to go, but I'm telling you - once you find the right one you will be mad that you waited so long! Ask friends for recommendations. Your job has a lot to do with your pain. I've seen my chiro for ailments and gosh, it's just amazing when a little adjustment makes such a big difference!

Try a professional massage!!!

I have the same issue, once it comes-it comes to stay. I am only 29 and have had off and on for years accompanied by the worst headaches. I have found that getting professional massages help - let the tech know about your problem area and they will do their best. I have heard chiropractors will help but I have never tried. Try a new pillow, I found one (memory foam that is firmer than I normally use) that helps me so the knot and pain do not come back as frequently (consider your sleeping position before purchasing). I have a neck massager that helps relieve the stress and knots considerably!! Would highly recommend!!
http://www.homedics.com/home/massage/neck.html
Watch your posture, carrying your kids to much on one side can also cause depending how much they weigh, messes with your alignment (not sure how young your daughter is). I have been to neurologists, doctors, etc. no one can give me a straight answer either. Good luck! :-)

I haven't read the other posts so I'm not sure if this has already been suggested, but physical therapy worked wonders for me! I was having tension headaches caused by tight neck muscles when I was around 18. I was constantly going to the doctor for these headaches and had x-rays, CT scans, bloodwork, and even visited a neurologist. Finally, after everything else was negative, we decided they were more than likely just tension headaches because of all the time I was spending reading or on the computer as a student. 6 weeks of physical therapy helped immensely. It was covered under insurance for me, however I still had to pay the specialist copay at every visit. I think I went three times weekly. They gave me several stretches/exercises to loosen up the muscles. They also massaged my head and neck each visit to help release the built up tension. Good luck to you! Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

have they mentioned you might have bursitis/tendonitis??
I had that for a VERY long time.. I used to work on a job where I had to use the computer. ALL that repetitive movement adds up...e.g. reaching for the mouse (if it's at the side of the computer) typing all day , reaching to either side of you .. basically anything where you body is not completely in line..
I had them fix my work station so it was ergonomic friendly and even got a different mouse that at the time was a roll ball so that I was no longer clicking.. and none of this really worked. I did rehab and they also gave me muscle relaxers.. (seems to me they treat everyone the same way) and I wasn't into taking a bunch of pills..

what really worked.. MASSAGE........ and more massage and then you have to get up from your desk and stretch your entire body.. not just your neck... the nerves run up and down your body, so it's important to release ALL the tension... also, a heating pad can be good but make matters WORSE.... you see, warmth opens up the capillaries and allows for more blood flow to get to an area but IF you already have inflammation, then too much warmth can be a detriment in that you are allowing even more pressure to the area. I was told NOT to use the heating pad all the time..
additionally, I eventually had to leave that job.. because although I would take measures to avoid the pain.. working so many hours on a computer just wasn't helping matters..
you may not want or be able to leave the job. so it's important now as a younger person that you nip this in the bud...... because as you age, your tendons get more stiff and hence, tendonits can get worse.. think of them as rubber bands... right now, they are all rubbery and bounce back ... when older, they can be more like one of those older rubber bands that lose their shape...
usually unless it's a doctor that deals SPECIFICALLY with repetitive injuries.. then most just want to give you pills.. that is what happened to me at first.. see if you can see a specialist and they can help you get to the bottom of this..

best of luck

I've also gone to a chiropractor for the same problem. Sometimes it takes a couple of trips, but it helps a lot. Massage is great too, but its the sort of thing you kind of have to commit to because results don't happen all at once. But if your doctor will say that you needassage therapy, you can write it off on your taxes.