Constant pulled neck!

[whymewhyme]

Argh... I've pulled/cricked my neck really really badly didn't even know how I did it, it just happens !!! The pain fjord down my neck into my shoulder blade area! I've been stiff as a board for a week, just start feeling less pained and stiff and hay Presto one wrong movement and it's happend again and it's worse than before! Latterly can't look down and turning is hard!! This happens a lot to me!

Does it happen to anybody else?

Oh yes but I have to confess I know mine is because 7 month old PFB won't sleep at night unless he is snuggling into me and I'm desperately trying to stop him suffocating on me from burying his nose in me - I've tried ibuprofen and deep heat it does help but takes a few days.

@mommybear1 I hear you!! My neck started when I had my LB! Argh!

Can you make an appointment with a chiropractor? They can help to identify any underlying issues.

Mine really responded to massage. I get a couple a year and could really do with more. I still get a sore neck and shoulders, but it's now just uncomfortable and not immobilising.

What is your posture like? I had a shit neck and shoulders for YEARS.
Turns out my core was as soft as a pillow and not doing anything to support my back which put extra strain in my shoulders. 3months of Pilates and very slow very gentle stretches has paid massive dividends. Getting a decent physio was the best thing I ever did. I have occasional visits with an Osteopath but I’m off all my medicines etc

Oh and ICE not heat when it’s sore for the first few days!!

You can get neck pillows on Amazon. I have one I got in Argos many years ago still in constant use every night. There's a ridge at the edge of the pillow that supports your neck. I have another ordinary pillow on top.

Then there's travel pillows you can also get which support your neck if you tend to fall asleep upright in the chair during the evening (as I do) and wake up with a sore neck and shoulder. Some of these you just press on a bubble thing to inflate, but I've only seen that kind on amazon. It's great, I just tried it a few times and now keep it in its box until needed, I haven't had a sore neck since it arrived! A bit like homeopathy. (fingers crossed)

If you can afford it, make a chiropractor appointment: £25 - £60 per session depending on the practice and part of the country.

If that is not possible, you should be able to get free physiotherapy on NHS.

I used to crick my neck so often - I feel your pain! Just looking quickly over my shoulder could give me days of pain.

I think mine was a combination of a stressful job and a couple of hours commuting by train giving me tension in my neck and shoulders - my shoulders were up round my ears most the time.

The job eventually ditched me (redundancy!) and it was the best thing that could have happened. I also started Pilates too - I agree with @LondonGin: it's a great way to sort out your posture and increase core strength. 10 years on, less work stress, no long train commute and and still doing Pilates and I can't remember the last time I pulled my neck!

I can empathise with you OP. I’ve always had a weakness, although it’s more in my shoulder blades than my neck, and sometimes my rib cage seizes up too. This morning I was just thinking it hadn’t happened for ages, then I moved awkwardly putting my dress on & ouch! I hate it! Hurts to drive etc & when the painkillers wear off, it can make me feel sick😞
Treatment/prevention wise, another vote for Pilates. I really must go again. And my posture is pretty rubbish! I find being on my mobile for extended periods can trigger it too.

I had some sort of ultrasound thing at a physio place. Five sessions and it was gone. It’s never come back again.

Chiropractic made me much worse. Agonising.

Osteopathy was better as she used massage, acupuncture and gentle pulling rather than snapping movements to help alleviate the pain.

No one in acute pain should be seeing a chiropractor IMO, especially if there's any risk of disc or nerve damage.

Another recommendation for a visit to a Chiropractor and to take up Pilates. Worked wonders for my neck and back!

A friend recommended something called Deep Freeze - bit whiffy but effective. I also sit with a hot water bottle behind me. I miss my friend’s wonderful massages. Need to remedy that!

You can get those wheat bags that you can warm up in the microwave. I have a long thin one that I can drape round my neck and shoulders like a scarf. It's awesome!

Chiropractor and Pilates it is then! Thank you for your replies!

I find acupuncture brilliant for this. My physio does it, and it's transformative!