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I am so frustrated with my neck pain! Any suggestions?

Posted: Oct 30, 2010

I have been dealing with my neck issues for 20 years. I've been in to MVAs where I was rear-ended by someone traveling pretty fast and I had whiplash injuries both time. Add the whiplash to what I do for a living and you have a recipe for a chronically painful, stiff neck. I've now graduated into shooting pains up my neck to behind my left ear and of course those fun tension headaches from the back of my head up to the crown.

I went to my doctor last week and got the usual "take a break every hour from work and stretch your neck" and "can you change jobs?" Ah, if only it were that easy. I wish I could just snap my fingers and do something else. My doctor also gave me my usual Rx of Flexeril and sent me on my way, only this time he gave me a year's worth of refills. I took that as a subtle hint that he doesn't want to see me for my neck for a while.

When I was pregnant and couldn't take muscle relaxers, my doctor sent me to physical therapy for a few weeks where I learned exercises, but they also used infrared heat on my neck which was WONDERFUL! So now I've decided I would like to maybe by an infrared heating unit, but I there are so many different contraptions out there I don't know what is the best. I want one that is like a heating pad, in that I can wrap around my neck and shoulders and plug in - hands free. If I have to use my hand and arm to use a machine I have to rub on my neck, that sort of defeats the whole purpose of relaxing those musche, wouldn't you agree? Not to mention I would like to have something I can put on my neck and work at the same time.

Sorry, I'm kind of a wordy girl! I didn't mean to get so long winded. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions of any tools that have worked for you I would much appreciate it. I am so tired of dealing with my neck. Some days I'm to the point of tears.

Thanks!

;

- kicked my neck pain - Carol

[ In Reply To ..]
First and foremost, make sure you monitor is at the correct level when you are at the computer. The top of the monitor should be parallel with the top of your head. If you can increase the font size, the screen will be easier to see and you will not be leaning in for viewing. Try not to lean forward but stay back and relaxes while you transcribe.

This next tip has helped me tremendously. I could not even sit through a movie without neck pain.

Yoga --- try Denise Austin's Essential Yoga. This really works. Do it every day. It is only 30 minutes. After you do it a zillion times, you will not need to look at the video any longer. You will get better at the Yoga moves each day. In my opinion, your neck needs a good stretch, as well as your arms and shoulders. This is the most effective way I have fond to do it.

Another thing you might consider, if you can afford it, is to find an excellent massage therapist who does deep massage. Find someone who has crendentials with plenty of schooling. I did this for a while too. Found someone who worked in a chiropractor's office, and the chiropractor works on many sports athletics. I saw the chiropractor for a few sessions too, but he only reinforced gome good stretches and lightly cracked my neck, nothing severe. You have to be careful in choosing a chiropractor because sometimes they can do more harm than good.

Hope this helps!

Neck pain - daphne

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been a transcriptionist for so many years now I've lost track. Never had a problem with my neck until the last few months. I couldn't turn my head to the right at all, the left was very sore. Then I got pain and soreness on the right side below the shoulder, next came tingling on the left side, starting on the left side of the neck and going up to my ear and part of my face. I finally gave up and went to my PCP. He gave me flexeril too. I took one that night and the next day I could not stay awake at all and I felt "loopy." Needless to say, I guess I would have to live the the tingling and pain since I really have to work. I haven't tried a heating pad yet, have you? I was told that helps a lot.

you should call your PCP - long time CMA

[ In Reply To ..]
and tell him you did not tolerate the Flexeril. There are many other muscle relaxers out there. I have had good results with Skelaxin, which makes me a little tired, but nowhere near the fatigue I had with Flexeril. I now take Bacolfen, as it is cheaper than the Skelaxin and it also works well for spasms in the GI tract which I have problems with also. Did you have any x-rays? With the sudden onset of numbness and tingling, you want to make sure there is not an urgent disc problem in your neck. You can also use anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or your PCP can prescribe you something stronger if need be, but make sure you follow up with your PCP to have routine labs checked for your liver and kidney functions if you will be taking anti-inflammatories for any length of time. Heat is a good treatment or sometimes ice packs work well for people. Also a visit with physical therapy to teach you a home exercise and stretching program can be helpful. At one point my neck pain became extreme and I had traction in PT and this really helped, I went for a month or two and then it seemed to make it worse and when I stopped the PT, it improved again. Good luck to you both.

neck pain - freebie

[ In Reply To ..]
You can also try a chiropractor, they've helped, too.

I have had similar symptoms - for over 2 years

[ In Reply To ..]
after being seen by several docs and always being sent home with muscle relaxers and being told I just had muscle spasms...I finally had a doc do a diagnostic temporary nerve block in my neck.

I was diagnosed with occipital neuralgia. When I looked it up online, all my symptoms fit (even the pain in my ear). Now I have been referred to a neurologist and we are exploring Botox injections.

neck pain - freebie

[ In Reply To ..]
I cut my hair shorter than shoulder length and changed headphone styles to the kind that wrap around your head, they're Logitech, instead of the stethoscope kind and haven't had any neck problems since. Sometimes when it's a little chilly I put some rice into a clean sock and put a knot in the end and nuke it for 70 seconds and it feels really good, too.

A suggestion - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a facet joint in my neck that pops out and when it does that, it causes the spurs to push on my spinal cord, rendering my left arm useless (and I mean totally - can't move it at all). I was told to have surgery - plate and fusion, but no way would I ever do it. I have a chiropractor who is a body builder/ex semi-pro baseball player and he is phenomenal! Don't go to a chiro who wants you to go in xx amount of times. Find one that's not in it for the money - one who treats sports injuries. I go in for adjustments only when I can't turn my head anymore or my arm goes weak.

The key is stretching your neck. Yes, it will hurt and cause more symptoms the first few times you do it, but after that you'll notice a HUGE difference. Ears to the shoulders, chin to the chest, occiput to the spine - roll your head slowly through these motions. Make sure your head is aligned correctly - not forward of or back of your shoulders - use a mirror for this. You may not have much ROM at first (and yes it will be uncomfortable), but in time you'll see a major difference in your ROM and your symptoms will improve. Ice is also your best friend :)

I agree - monitor placement is key. I have mine so that the middle of the screen is where my eyes rest - your type ends up at the bottom so you want a middle ground so you're not looking up or down as much as possible. Your chair needs to have arms on it - adjustable, as everyone has a different body habitus.

I am 45 and go to the gym at least five times a week, lifting heavy weights and doing cardio. My chiro has told me what exercises I am allowed to do (no shoulder shrugs, nothing behind the head or looking up, no neck weights). Correct form and posture are absolutely essential, which carries over into our day-to-day jobs.

I so agree... - Cheryl B.

[ In Reply To ..]
I was having terrible neck and shoulder pain and ROM exercises helped. I would take a pain pill and let it kick in first, which helped (I am very careful with the use of codeine, but it is a great help).

Also there is a book, crap, what is the name of it....I will have to find it...oh found it... Treat Your Own Neck by Robin McKenzie. I would look into that. I used the back one when I had a lower back injury 3 years ago and it worked great.

Also my DO who does adjustments on my messed up neck and back suggested that I needed to uh hum... strengthen my core. So I went to the library and found a book I liked so much I ordered it on Amazon. I have been doing these every morning and am feeling better too, even though I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia 10/19/10.

The book is The Core Program, 15 minutes a day that will change your life by Peggy Brill. I took it to my second visit with the doctor who diagnosed my fibro and she said it is her favorite exercise book for female patients. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Good luck!

Neck pain - HM

[ In Reply To ..]
I feel for you. I underwent a C3-6 laminectomy in 2002 for spinal stenosis. Over the last year my head has become numb and I am now almost paralyzed from something. MRIs show bulging disks. Before my surgery I got a lot of trigger point injections in the trapezius muscles. This and PT helped more than anything. Also sleeping on only one pillow. You might try magnesium oil spray or a mixture of essential oils in a cream with lavendar, camomile and geranium. Some of those microwavable corn bags help too. Hope this helps.

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