I keep throwing my neck out!

[LaBoob]

The first time it happened was about 5 years ago after a snowstorm. I was having a snow-shoveling contest trying to dig my car out as fast as I possibly can. I guess I strained my neck pretty bad at some point because I got back inside, sat down, and realized I couldn't move. It got worse and worse until breathing or talking hurt. After about a week it went away but I've been having trouble with that side of my neck ever since.

About 2 years ago I leaned on my bed to get something off of my nightstand in the morning and heard a very loud "pop" in my neck. Again, it got worse and worse until I couldn't move at all. It lasted about a week also.

Just a short few months ago I woke up with a stiff neck and after trying to stretch it and massage it, it turned into the above situation and put me out of commission again, for a week. I actually had a wedding to go to that day and the person I was accompanying forced me to go anyway because he didn't understand my situation.

I woke up in the middle of the night with a very painful stiff neck and it's still here this morning. I'm being really careful not to move too quickly, or stretch or massage it... I don't want to strain it and let it turn into what has been happening. I have a LOT going on this week and need my neck!

Does this happen to anybody else? Any advice?

[Reynolds]

My last football game in high school i got blindsided, and fell on another player's helmet right on my back. I had spasms for a while, so bad it even hurt to breathe. That was 10 years ago, and the only solution I had was to lay down and ride it out until it stopped, probably have to see a chiropractor, probably something out of alignment.

[Thebazile78]

I used to have frequent stiff necks as a kid ... it would usually happen when I was under a lot of stress.

We got a foam neck brace and used to slather some mineral ice on the neck, slap on the brace and voila! I was functional.

If my parents had known about chiropractic, or could have afforded it back then, maybe I would have gone for an adjustment.

[JPMNICK]

the only thing to do is lay flat and relax. the more you move the longer you will prolong the pain

[Vodka Mule]

The first time it happened was about 5 years ago after a snowstorm. I was having a snow-shoveling contest trying to dig my car out as fast as I possibly can. I guess I strained my neck pretty bad at some point because I got back inside, sat down, and realized I couldn't move. It got worse and worse until breathing or talking hurt. After about a week it went away but I've been having trouble with that side of my neck ever since.

About 2 years ago I leaned on my bed to get something off of my nightstand in the morning and heard a very loud "pop" in my neck. Again, it got worse and worse until I couldn't move at all. It lasted about a week also.

Just a short few months ago I woke up with a stiff neck and after trying to stretch it and massage it, it turned into the above situation and put me out of commission again, for a week. I actually had a wedding to go to that day and the person I was accompanying forced me to go anyway because he didn't understand my situation.

I woke up in the middle of the night with a very painful stiff neck and it's still here this morning. I'm being really careful not to move too quickly, or stretch or massage it... I don't want to strain it and let it turn into what has been happening. I have a LOT going on this week and need my neck!

Does this happen to anybody else? Any advice?

Perhaps you should worry less about snow shoveling and more about getting "snowed in".

Try being on top next time. Your neck and your "friend" will thank you for it.

[DarkHippie]

Can't help ya. I only know what to do when a girl throws her jaw out

[Clement Clemens]

Snow is cold.

[Sue_Bender]

Maybe you guys could offer serious advice.

WTF??

[dotsncoms]

I think it might be out of line. My neck does that about 3 times a year and goes away after 2 weeks. It happens to me when I sleep in some dumb position. Once a chiriopracter snapped my neck for me and it felt so good, everything just released and my and the pain was gone.

[zathrus]

Sue_Bender
for these guys this is serious advice.

I get stiff necks also. Mine is that i get my hair caught under my shoulder and then try to move my head or roll over or I lift something too heavy. I've heard that stress will do it too, I guess that makes sense. My only suggestion would be to go see a chiropractor or your regular dr and see if they can give you a prescription for a muscle relaxer. If you can't do that, I'd say you have to get deep heat and extra strength Tylenol. There are also those heating pads that you stick on your back (can't remember the name), but the do make one for the shoulder and you can adjust where it is, so that its more towards your neck. I've done that and it helped.

[LaBoob]

My neck's been really good lately... I'm getting better at recognizing when it's going to happen and if I'm really careful with it, it'll go away faster.

If I hear that pop and it goes out, I need to not move for a day or two and it'll go away. Not the most convenient thing, but it's really every once in a while. If it starts happening more often I'll consider seeing a chiropractor regularly.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

My neck's been really good lately... I'm getting better at recognizing when it's going to happen and if I'm really careful with it, it'll go away faster.

If I hear that pop and it goes out, I need to not move for a day or two and it'll go away. Not the most convenient thing, but it's really every once in a while. If it starts happening more often I'll consider seeing a chiropractor regularly.

You probably should see a chiropractor for a couple adjustments at least OR ask your general doctor if he could recommend someone for you to talk to about your neck. At the least you could learn specifically what kind of exercises you could do to strengthen your neck muscles from a person licensed to give out medical advice. It's what I would do... I'd never play around with my neck if I wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with it. Sprained neck muscles SUCK.

A guy I know had a herniated disc in his lower spine and the back-surgeon doctor guy (I forget their official title) said he had the choice of doing exercises to strengthen the disc or back surgery. He opted for the exercises, and after a year of doing them, his back muscles were strong enough to alleviate the pain. Just an example of how getting advice can be important. Having said all that, I fully understand why you wouldn't want to see a doctor.

I'm glad you are feeling better and getting a better sense of what's going on. You got a good head on your shoulders...wakka wakka