Neck pain and other "Gee, am I getting old?" musings

[Tink]

A couple of weekends ago I woke up and couldn't sit up on my own due to a severely stiff neck. It radiated into my shoulders. I did heating pads for the first couple of days and that Icy/Hot rub too. It took 3-4 days, but it mostly went away.

However, neck and shoulder pain is back. Not as bad as before, but still unpleasant. It makes it difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep in at night. I've tried no pillows, 1, 2. I've even tried an ergonomic foam one. Oddly enough I slept really well last night, best in ages, BUT since I didn't wake up at all or apparently roll over either, I woke up with a sore hip and shoulder. :eye roll:

So, my question here is....is there any point to seeing a doctor about this or since it *seems* to me to be muscle-based, is there not a lot they can do other than telling me to apply heat or cold, etc?

Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

[WenchLadyKate]

I'd definately go to the doc. Especially if you have insurance. Even if it is just a stiffness, he might be able to tell you what migh be causing it.

Have you tried sitting a different way at work? Maybe try one of those posture pillow thingys that strap onto your chair? I couldn't figure out why my shoulder was aching, I realized it's how I'm holding my arm when I look at plans on my desk. I fixed that, no shoulder pain.

Deinfately go though, he could prescribe a little muscle relaxer too for those really bad days.

Also, try a memory foam topper for your mattress. They're expensive but soooo worth it! If I recall though, your bed is super comfy...

[Tink]

I'd definately go to the doc. Especially if you have insurance. Even if it is just a stiffness, he might be able to tell you what migh be causing it.

Have you tried sitting a different way at work? Maybe try one of those posture pillow thingys that strap onto your chair? I couldn't figure out why my shoulder was aching, I realized it's how I'm holding my arm when I look at plans on my desk. I fixed that, no shoulder pain.

Deinfately go though, he could prescribe a little muscle relaxer too for those really bad days.

Also, try a memory foam topper for your mattress. They're expensive but soooo worth it! If I recall though, your bed is super comfy...

Not to sound like a pill popper, BUT 2 weeks ago I was soooooo wishing I knew someone who had muscle relaxers.
Plus it makes me giggle because I always think of the older sister in Sixteen Candles who takes some right before he wedding. "I feel funky! pbbbbbbbt"

[DangerousCurves]

I am a big fan of muscle relaxers. I don't take them a lot and I despise Rx drugs but I have a wicked back issue and if I don't take them at night when I'm having a a bad back day, I'll feel like my spine is made of glass in the morning. There will be no bending or turning of any kind. Groaning will become frequent and not in a good way. Try something easy like Flexeril. It does ok without packing a punch like Vic or Percs. The hard stuff makes me stupid for days so I try not to touch it. I tried the memory foam matress topper...didn't work. I shelled out for the memory foam BED...worked for about a week. I'm going to go sleep with the dog here pretty soon...maybe the floor of the kennel will work.

[Ravin' Raven]

I too have back problems though my neck will bug me from sitting wrong at work, tension, etc., but it goes away pretty quickly. Like DC I don't like to take a lot of muscle relaxers but every now and then....I got a script LAST MAY for 30 Flexiril and I still have 3 of them so you can see I don't take them a lot but I'm glad I have them when I need them.

I always thought I needed the hardest mattress possible until I tried this really cool bed at a store where they can measure your pressure points, etc. After the test he sent me down to the softest bed that is made and I was in heaven. I bought one a few months later. Hawkins hates it because his 250# sinks into it and he can't get out but I snuggle into it just right. Of course once he started sleeping in it I tend to roll towards the big indent he creates - oh well - better excuse to lay up next to him...

I agree though to see the doc. You never know what he/she might say and it can't hurt - at least it may give you a little peace of mind. I may also recommend a chiropractor. They are good for muscle issues as well as "cracking".

[gracie]

I've got similar issues with my back, I recommend a chiropractor and Yoga if you're so inclined. A lot of my problems come from tension and my back muscles being really strong (holding up an ample bosom) but with weak abs. I do bikram yoga and the series gives you lots of opportunity to get your alignment right and build and stretch muscles that may be bunching up and causing problems. Hope that helps.

[*Gremco]

I sprained my neck a few years ago. Muscle relaxers didn't work. Physical Therapy didn't work. I finally went to a chiropractor and I felt soooo good afterwards. My spine was out of line so pills and PT only masked the problem.

I would see someone if it isn't getting any better.

[The Wizard]

I've gotten neck pain from sore muscles and from inflammation. Cold soothes inflammation and NSAIDs like Ibuprofen reduce it. Heat relaxes sore muscles and the muscle relaxants helps the relaxation. Get it wrong and it gets worse.

[Annabella St. Clair]

Chiropractor. I used to not believe in them until several falls added up to not being able to move. My spine has one or two finiky vertebraes. My doc was also all about natural meds too.

I fell through our shop stairs last year, at the second story, and I just fell on Detroit ice yesterday. It's time to go back to my doc.

Good luck in feeling better.

Annabella St. Clair

[Lady Sarah]

I'd recommend going to see a bone cracker too. I used to get horrible headaches and found out that they were because of a misalignment in my neck vertebrae. It couldn't hurt and most chiros will take insurance.

Also, it might not be neck related. You could have a vertebra out of alignment further down between your shoulders.

[Lady Hefron]

Definately go see a Chiropractor. I go every month. He is my favorite Dr.

[KaLeaAnne]

You may consider a massage therapist as well as a chiropractor. I also second yoga. Relaxed muscles are happy muscles and your body is less likely to revert back to misalignment after a chiro visit if your body is less tense.

[Bean]

Oh, yeah. Chiropractor all the way. Anything involving my back or neck gets a visit. I would never go to a regular doctor for this since all they do is give you drugs that don't really do anything but mask pain.

And even though heat feels great, it doesn't really help. All it does it tighten the muscles up after the heat gets taken away. Cold penetrates deeper into the muscles; 20 minutes of an ice pack.

Sounds like you pinched a nerve in your upper back/neck area. I had this about a year ago; one side of my neck hurt, pain down the arm, couldn't turn my head to one side. 3 visits to the chiropractor and poof, it was gone!

[Tink]

See you learn things when you ask questions.

I always thought ice for the first 24 and then heat...for everything muscle related. Now I know I was wrong....explains why despite using heat on my neck last time, it only felt better while the heat was applied, but was no better and sometimes worse after.

As for the bed comment....we have a Serta mattress that is firm, but has a Euro style hotel-quality pillow top. I like it (usually), but the fiance hates it and I do think that I still toss and turn too much so it probably isn't the right type for me. I'd love to get a sleep number bed so I could try the various settings, plus honey could have his side as firm as he wants, BUT I don't have the cash for that investment right now.

I'd like to try massage therapy, but insurance doesn't cover it.

I guess the bottom line is I need to go to the doc and see what they find. I think I need an MRI or x-ray to make sure it isn't anything beyond stiff, sore, pulled muscles. Maybe a chiropractor is the way to go at this point, I just have to see how my coverage works for one.

Thanks to all who replied and if anyone has more to add, please do.

[Lady Sarah]

The chiropracter will do x-rays and a full hands on exam of your back before s/he starts treating you. If there's no mis-alignment, they'll tell you upfront that they can't help you.

[Tink]

The chiropracter will do x-rays and a full hands on exam of your back before s/he starts treating you. If there's no mis-alignment, they'll tell you upfront that they can't help you.

Good to know. I hope they can crack the heck out of my neck and spine. I rarely crack in those places and I often feel like I need to. I may be like an inch taller than I am, if it weren't for compressed vertabrae. :lol:

[*Gremco]

My chiro also does muscle therapy. They have the zappy machine (no idea what it is called) which is wonderful. They have a massage therapist on staff but she costs extra. It is still cheaper to use her than go to a separate massage therapist, though.They have so many nifty things and go through more medical training than a GP. Mine takes my insurance now, so all I have is a copay. When they didn't take my insurance last year it was only $40 per visit. My area is very competitive for chiropractors. You often see two or three on the same block.

[Holly]

I will also reccomend the chiropractor.

I have seen one since i was a child. There are many different types of chiros. Some are 'bone crunchers' and some are more of a "Voodoo' kind that does not crunch alot. It depends on what you want and what you need. And just like other doctors, some you just dont click with, feel free to change. Also many insureances cover some chiro. Mine covers 20 visits a year and i pay the standard co-pay.

Some chiros have Massage Therapist on staff so you can get treatment in house so to speak. If you can nip some biofreeze... do it ... that stuff is fabulous!!

I hope you feel better soon... it may take a few visits...

PM me if you want more specifics on Chiro care:)

I am gonna be one for my mid life crisis!!!

[The Wizard]

I was once told that an Osteopath is the best of both worlds: does manipulation and is an MD, so theoretically is acceptible to insurance companies.

[The Wizard]

I just got this "Gee I'm Old" video.

http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-walt-babyboomers-blurb,0,1036393.blurb

[KissMeKate]

See you learn things when you ask questions.

I always thought ice for the first 24 and then heat...for everything muscle related. Now I know I was wrong....explains why despite using heat on my neck last time, it only felt better while the heat was applied, but was no better and sometimes worse after.

The heat does feel good at the time tho, doesn't it? But it brings more blood to the area and causes additional inflammation which can cause more aggrevation of nerves and joints, which equals more pain and stiffness. I don't like using ice packs so much myself, but it does bring the inflamation down.

I also recommend a very good acupuncturist. It might take seeing a few people before you find one that works for you, but mine is awesome. I'm actually seeing him today to try to relax the goose-egg knot on my left shoulder, the pain in my left knee (usually it's the right one), to work on my new mushroom allergy (I love mushrooms! - they just don't like me anymore), and continue the work he started on my lungs.