what do i do for neck pain?
918728
see a doctor and get examined to make sure it is not serious. They'll X-Ray you to make sure. If they don't find anything wrong and you still have pain then you are probably out of alignment. This never goes away, you need to regularly do things to prevent it from flaring up. \n\n-Exercise a minimum of every other day, at least by walking but yoga and pilates is excellent for neck/back pain too. This alone could cure the pain if done regularly.\n\n-See a good chiropractor; if you don't know one ask friends for recomendations. An adjustment once a month will keep the pain at bay. If you don't like the chiro try another-there are many chiropractors there, all have different aproaches. Many chiros practice complimentary holistic or eastern medicine, if yours does not seek one of these specialists out to try accupuncture. Accupuncture is excellent. The only thing that avoided surgery.\n\n-Massages are good for stress reduction, but I never got pain relief from them. Stress reduction is my main source of recurring neck pain 10 years after my initial injuries being hit in a 5 car pile-up, and if I control stress I feel no pain.\n\n-Reduce swelling to control pain & inflammation Swelling lessens blood flow in the swollen or inflammed area(s), blood brings oxygen and carries away toxins from the muscle, which cause the knots and pain in the first place.\n\n -Alleve and Advil are OTC anti-inflammatories that work well even by taking 1/2 the recomended dose. \n\n-Ice works better or as well as Advil, together they work excellent. apply ice pack to the painful area for 15 minutes on and 15 mins. 2-3 times. Ice reduces swelling. \n\n Sleep! That's the only time your body can repair itself.
291186
First, don't massage it. It just makes it worse. I had good luck with a chiropractor. He explained to me that it wasn't even a pinched nerve, but that the muscle around my spine (at the neck) had stretched on one side, and had contracted on the other. So when he straightened me out, he made the muscles on either side of my spine equal lengths again. For a week or so it hurt--it's like getting a major work-out and having sore muscles, but it's just in your neck!! But after he put me back in alignment (which took about 3 sessions) and taught me a better way to sleep, I haven't had any problems since. \nUntil then, ice for twenty minutes a couple times a day. No heat. That's what my guy said. \nGood luck.
518136
A massage.  I too sleep on my stomach and carry a lot of tension in my shoulders.  It is why I am up late tonight, woke up with a neck ache.  What I do if a good massage is not available is head down to the mall and sit in one of the chairs that give you a massage.  They are to die for girl.  :)
838623
(m)\n\nApply heat directly to neck maybe a heating pad 20-30 minutes 2-3 times a day. Long, hot shower with the water beating on the neck, slowly turn head side to side looking over each shoulder until the count of five. Repeat three times. Apply topical cream such as icy hot or tiger balm. Shut bedroom window because cold breezes may cause awkward positioning to keep warm resulting in a stiff neck. Get a proper pillow. Reserve couch for sitting, alot of times there is not enough room to lie down resulting in stiff neck. If the pain persists after this, make an appointment with your doctor.
91148
Physical Therapy Corner: Neck Pain\nNeck pain is a very common occurrence, and for some it is an everyday experience. Many of the symptoms felt can be prevented, decreased, or even eliminated through proper stretching, strengthening, and alignment of the cervical spine.\n\nThe cervical spine has a "C" shaped curve which opens in the back.\n\n\nSome causes or types of neck pain include:\n\n   1. Muscular: tightness or spasm in the muscles in, and around your neck - rhomboids, trapezius, scalenes, as well as the erector spinae groups.\n\n      [Facet Pain Image]\n   2. Facet joints: each pair of vertebrae has 2 facet joints which allow for motion to occur between them. Nerve roots sprout between these facets. Pain can occur when these facets rub or grind together. Osteophytes can also develop within the facet and encroach onto the nerve.\n\n   3. Intervertebral disk: between the vertebrae are disks made of fibrocartilage. They absorb the shock form walking, running, jumping, turning, and twisting. Sometimes these disks protrude out of their normal space, and can cause pain by putting pressure on nerves or the spinal cord.\n\n   4. Ligaments: another structure which keeps the vertebrae in place are ligaments. Extreme acceleration and then deceleration of the neck can cause a whiplash injury, thus leading to injury to these ligaments and a resulting pain. Another result of a whiplash injury could be a strain or sprain of the muscles surrounding and supporting the cervical spine, also leading to pain.\n\n   5. Posture: having your head rest too far forward can cause the "C" shaped curve in your neck to decrease, and keeping your head too far back can accentuate it. These positions can increase the amount of stress placed on the muscles, ligaments, facets, and disks in and around your neck. This undue stress can cause you to feel pain in your neck.
367480
A Chiropractor does wonders,your neck it probably out and it will and can pinch a nerve,you need to go see one you will feel better,meds don't fix the pain because it will always come back.All they want is your money for making you feel like crap.
302551
You could try some accupunture sessions. My nursing instructor used them for chronic back pain and she said after about 4 treatments she hasn't ever had the pain again. You should also see a chiropractor to check for any nerve compression, bugling discs, hernia, etc.
8535
Find a good chiropractor. It may take a bit of looking, but a good one will get you back in alignment. Your body is trying to get your back and neck into alignment. The stretching of the muscles and the pinching of nerves between the vertebre is the pain you are feeling
1052136
Hi Kim, with neck problems the list can go on and on.  If you have neck problems it can be something as simple as a pulled muscle to something more complex like a swollen thyroid gland.  \n\nSeeing a proper doctor can help you fix your medical ailments.  If you feel a slight burning sensation in your arm or finger tips whenever you move your neck, it is probably a pinched nerve.  It's no big deal, it can happen sometimes when a muscle knots up in your neck or upper back and it may be unpleasant but will go away in a day or two.  If you've had it for a couple of months, your doctor may ask you to have surgery to fix it.  \n\nMost commonly your doctor (IF the pain is severe enough) will prescribe to you a light muscle relaxer or suggest you take Aleve or extra strength Tylenol to relieve the pain.\n\nIf you feel like you can only move your neck to one side, you probably have a really wicked cramp that needs to be worked out.  If you cannot go to a massage therapist, I recommend doing the following:  Sit in a tub of warm water as hot as you can stand it for as long as you can stand it (obviously not so hot it can burn you and not too hot if you have heart problems, are taking blood thinners or have a pacemaker) and slowly work your neck starting with your chin turned to your shoulder and then touching your chest and then over to your other shoulder.  Do that a few times and step out and it should help.  NEVER do full circles with your neck as you can do permanent nerve/spinal damage with this.  \n\nAlternating hot packs/cold packs for 15 min at a time can help loosen the muscle group.  Inbetween switching, just make sure to stretch your neck out a bit each time.  \n\nYou can also take a tennis ball and hold it between your upper back and a wall and roll it across your back that way (or have someone else roll it for you) and slowly massage your neck with it.  The tennis ball is hard enough to work out your muscles, but soft enough to not hurt you.\n\nI recommend a good family practitioner if you need to see a doctor.  You can also see a Chiropractor (M.D. with extra musculo-skeletal training) an Osteopathic Doctor (a doctor who uses a full body approach to healing and who also uses the same chiropractic movements), an Ear Nose and Throat specialist, (Otolaryngology Doctor), they can help you determine if it's something more serious than a muscle glitch, however they usually require a referral from your primary care doc.  You can also see a physical therapist who can prescribe certain exercises for you to do.  Massage therapists also work well for that (massage school students often charge less for massages and are always observed by an instructor).\n\nIf it is a simple sprain, you can also learn simple stretching exercises that can help you avoid the injury in the future.  \n\nI also want to add that you may need a new pillow or a new mattress.  If you are not getting proper spinal alignment while you sleep, your neck can start to hurt from the weight of an improperly positioned support system.\n\nIt's also possible you may need new shoes.  When you are not getting proper support for your feet, you can have all sorts of alignment problems in your body and before you know it, you hurt all over.  If you can't afford new shoes, try getting arch support or memory foam inserts for your feet.  You can also see an Orthopedic Doctor (skeletal doctor) or a Podiatrist (foot doctor) for that.  If your injury is related to sports a Sports Medicine Doctor (who usually has training in all of the above) can help you out also.\n\nI hope this helps you and that your road to healing comes as painlessly as possible.  Good luck!
633102
Sometimes the doctor gives cortisone injections to the affected area. Sometimes they use intermittent neck traction or a cervical collar. This usually consists of a halter-like device placed on the head and neck and attached to pulleys and weights.\n\nFor severe cases, hospitalization with complete bedrest and traction for 1 or 2 weeks may be needed. Narcotic medicine or muscle relaxants may help to reduce pain. Surgical decompression of the spinal cord in the neck may be recommended for severe pain or for significant loss of movement, sensation, or function.\n\nSurgical procedures may involve removal of bone and disc tissue which are pinching the nerves of the spinal cord and stabilization of the neck by fusing the cervical vertebrae.\n\nMost patients with cervical spondylosis will have some chronic symptoms, but they respond to non-operative interventions and do not require surgery.
872842
For neck and shoulder aches and stiffness, definitely a massage therapist, that would decrease any rigidity (spasm) increase range of motion, and if those aches are causing headaches massage will help release any tension. Massage will sooth out those muscles that are tense and achy, a chiro, well...he will align the vertebra which can help with spastic muscles, but i rather be relax for an hour or 30mins and work on my neck and shoulder.\nGood luck, be well ^i^
233949
Yes, see a doctor or a chiropractor.  Numbness is often a sign of nerve problems, and problems with your neck can bother the nerves.
659287
If you are having back pain and neck pain chronically, it's time to see a doctor. It sounds to me like Spondylitis - Arthritis of the spine. Or maybe Sarcoiliitis - inflammation (Arthritis) of the Sacrioliic Joints. This is what I have. \n\nBut you never really know until you see a specialist. I suggest either going to your PCP (Primary Care Physician) or get a Rheumatoloigst.\n\nI can help more if we chat though.. email me at;\n\neileenprince@sbcglobal.net
872478
Have you tried getting on an elliptical?  Or arc trainer.  There's no impact, which is what I'm guessing hurts your neck.  Also, you can try cycling.  As long as you're not up and down on the bike, there's no impact.  Do you go see someone for PT?  You can ask them for suggestions as well because they have a better understanding of your injury.\n\nAs for situps... unfortunately, most ab exercises require neck muscles.  Weird, I know.  You dont really think about that until there's an injury... \n\nGood luck with recovery.
487201
For the lower muscular pain, try laying back on a volleyball or soccer ball. With your pelvis off the ground, balance yourself with your feet flat on the floor, and shoulders/arms. Roll yourself around on the ball. When you find a particularly "ouchy" spot kind of hover over that area. It is surprisingly effective in ironing out sore back muscles.\n\nFor the neck, this trick is better done by a friend, but you can do it yourself if you have to: Pinch the meaty part of the neck firmly between your fingers and the palm of your hand (try not to use the tips of your fingers, but instead use the "palms" of your fingers). Hold this for about a minute. Then do the same thing to both muscles on each side of the neck called the trapezius muscles. This is an acupressure technique that is very effective.
567595
you possibly have a "pinched nerve" or small disc protrusion in your neck. mine healed with rest, heat and ibuprofen.\n\nif it does not get better in the next few days or gets worse, see a doctor asap. imho, do not go to a chiropractor or let someone "crack" your neck.\nI am not a dr. or nurse: but have had this same thing happen to me.
885408
First, tell your parents. If you are only 13 you really need to tell them and make sure you take your temp. Neck pain sometimes just comes from something like you said, or there can be other causes so please please talk to your parents if you are running a fever or cannot turn your neck at all. After anything is ruled out, try a warm pack wrapped in a cool cloth off and on for 30 minutes. See if that lessens the pain. Hopefully you'll be feeling better soon, sweetheart!\nstrength and good health to you,\n-laura\n\n*edit* props to you for notifying your parents! :) I hope you'll be feeling better soon!