Advice for pulled neck muscle

[GoJetsGo]

Was moving a few days ago and Friday morning I woke up and my neck was slightly stiff. By the evening it was much worse and got so bad I had trouble sleeping. Saturday it's been quite painful whether sitting, standing or laying down. I can tell it's a strained neck muscle as I had this happen years back.

Am going to see my doctor if it's still this bad Monday, but as it's the weekend I thought I'd see if anyone has advice.

I've tried tylenol and advil and that does little to dull the pain. Tried a few otc muscle relaxers and that's not making much difference either.

I've had a handful of much more significant injuries over the years but the nagging pain from this is a real doozy because it's tough to get comfortable in any position.

Any advice would be welcomed. Thanks

[justkidding]

Ice like crazy. It's the only thing that helps me with muscle strains.

[justkidding]

Nm, duplicate.

[oilyfan]

What works for me like nothing else is heat. I use the heat packs that you can stick or wrap around, they provide heat for 8 hours. Usually a couple of those and I feel a lot of the tight muscles loosen up.

[indes]

Acupuncture. I've had phenomenal results with strained muscles

[taco.vidal]

Go see a physio. You shouldn't have that much trouble finding a clinic thats open on the weekend.
Your doctor will likely tell you to go see a physio. He may also give you a prescription for something to make you more comfortable but don't expect any muscle work from him.
You could also see a chiro if you have one you trust but I do know many people have an aversion to chiros.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

Voltaren. Rub that stuff in like crazy for 5 minutes, and while the pain won't disappear completely it will allow you to live, and do simple things like sleep.

[GGG]

The one time I couldn't turn my head past past about 15 degrees off centre I went to a chiro to fix it.

This chiro was really good and didn't believe in the subluxation theory and really just explained chiro as moving your joints beyond the normal range of motion to increase mobility. This happens to be the same way a physio described what they are doing and why it works. I say all this because if you are going the chiro route make sure you don't get a quack. The guy I went to didn't even "crack" it. Just abrupt pulls, I was really impressed,

However he was in Saskatoon so that doesn't help you here.

In general ice is better than heat. Heat feels better but ice helps healing faster

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by GGG

In general ice is better than heat. Heat feels better but ice helps healing faster

That all depends on the injury. Bruises/swelling should be iced as it restricts blood flow to the area which helps reduce the bruise/swelling quicker, if you use heat it will just bring more blood to the area and that won't help fix the problem.

In this case the heat will likely help you get some ROM back as it will help loosen up the muscle. You may want to try to alternate heat and cold, but if you only want to do one the heat will probably be more helpful in the short term.

[Nage Waza]

Usually you use heat for the neck, not ice. Avoid a chiro for neck injuries, seriously. See a doctor and ask for an ointment or topical anti inflammatory. The best thing to do is try to recognize the signs of when your necks is leading to your situation and apply the ointment and take alieve.

I have been dealing with a bad neck issue for years. Once it seems locked up, I have to wait it out. The anti inflammatory in advance does wonders.

[socalwingfan]

I had a messed up neck awhile ago, went to the doctor for anti-inflammatories and did a few physio sessions - nothing helped. After 3 accupuncture sessions I felt 100% better - can't recommend it enough

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Stay on topic, please. Thanks.

[PIMking]

sorry

[PIMking]

TBQH I thought my neck injury was a strain for the longest time before I found out that I had a ruptured disc. With that being said I did use a tens unit and it really helped me.

[Nage Waza]

If you do decide to see a chiropractor for your neck, make sure you have had x-rays etc. completed and reviewed by a physician prior. If there is something wrong with your vertebrae that is causing your problems, a 'neck cracking' could harm you.

[GoJetsGo]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Wastedyouth]

A chiropractor doesn't just "crack" your neck when you think it's injured.

They will assess the situation and adjust accordingly. If you have injured muscles or vertebrate they will not give you treatment to exacerbate the problem

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by indes

Acupuncture. I've had phenomenal results with strained muscles

Hmm... I'm not a huge fan of that stuff, but I've heard good things.

I personally rely on accupressure points instead. Same idea, less needles. However, some people think it's crock. I can only say it works for me and many others I've seen. Unfortunately, the person who does this for me does not do this for a living and generally only does it to help others as a last ditch resort sort of thing.


Another option, massages? I mean, we generally try and stretch out muscle craps, so a stiff muscle, shouldn't the same be done?

I also can see heat being useful to help loosen so you can try and turn a little more to regain mobility, then using cold to aid healing process once the mobility range is a bit better? But this last one is pure theory. Sorry.

Hope it all works out. IMO, it's not about dulling the pain, it's about massaging/stretching the muscle out (likely what would happen in physio, chiro or a massage).

[taco.vidal]

I was going to post something to this effect as well. Chiros can do work similar to a physio. If you don't want your neck cracked, tell them that. Ask the chiro what his practice is like as unfortunately there are some chiros who are just crackopractors.

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

A chiropractor doesn't just "crack" your neck when you think it's injured.

They will assess the situation and adjust accordingly. If you have injured muscles or vertebrate they will not give you treatment to exacerbate the problem

[CaptainCrunch]

I soak it, heat always seems to loosen up muscle strains for me.