Neck pain

[lightsout]

Went to the infirmary here today. The physician said, after going through a bunch of reflex, feeling, and grip/strength tests, that it is most likely strained traps. Can't work out for a week, gotta take an anti-inflammatory and use a heat pad for a week, then if it hasn't gone away, go to get an MRI and an x-ray to make sure it isn't something more serious. She said my neck and spine felt fine, and didn't see any evidence of a pinched nerve or a slipped disk. Here is to hoping these ibuprofen take care of it over the weekend.

[Darth Biscuit]

I have sprained my trap lower, like down between my shoulder blades, before... that sucks.

[Davidson Deac II]

I know nobody here is a doctor, but I need some help. My neck has been in some pain for about 3 weeks now. I do not know if it is from my pillows or the way I sleep or what. It is not going away. I can turn my head on either side only to about my shoulder, and then the pain starts. That is about the only time, other than laying down, that it hurts. Other times it just feels tight. It feels like, when I turn it, that it has to pop, but it won't. I tried pushing my chin around to get it to pop, and it only hurts REALLY bad when I do that.

My theory is I used another pillow a few weeks ago, during my spring break. When I got back to school, I went back to my old pillows, and this is when the pain started. So, just bad pillows after using good pillows? I have been using these pillows since about 2007. They've gradually gotten worse, but it never effected me.

Anything else it could be? This is starting to worry me and I'm starting to think it may be more than just bad pillows. Trying to avoid doctors, as I don't have the time these days to sit in a waiting room for an hour.

I have found that divorce usually cures the problem.

[Hawk]

I can turn my head on either side only to about my shoulder, .

are you a fricken owl? How much further do you think it needs to go?

[lightsout]

are you a fricken owl? How much further do you think it needs to go?

Actually always been very flexible. Years of stretching and working out got me that way. What I mean is, typically you can do it without pain. I can't. However, after these ibuprofen, it has gotten better. Go figure.

[Panthers_Lover]

I actually just popped 600 mg of ibuprofen. Hope that works. Haven't tried medicine or icy hot, because I am just a broke college kid and the on-campus infirmary has been closed recently because of repairs going on, so seeing the free doc has been tough. But, they're supposed to be open in the morning, so I plan on going to see if they can tell exactly what it is.

Based on symptoms, it seems like a neck sprain to me as well (just looked it up). All the pain is in the back and near the tops of my traps, where it is really tight, so it makes sense. Thanks for the comments and advice guys.

Could be a pinched nerve (at the vertebra), for which you would need an MRI to confirm, then PT to help. I spent 5 weeks going to PT and getting put in traction for the same thing. Doing home exercises, etc. to keep it loosened. Otherwise, it would be surgery.

[Kitten Diver]

Is this muscle pain or like joint pain? Either way I agree with lp, go to the chiro.

This is the way to go.

Before I went to one I thought they were bs, but after they pop you into place you immediately realize that poo is it. It is expensive w/o insurance and don't let them talk into some plan, just go when you're back is out.