So-the other day I think I might have pulled a muscle in my neck while moving it. I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but I can't swivel or move it too much or it hurts. It's not a sharp pain, and it's only in the back of my neck. I put ice on it today, and then heat later on, which helped a lot. I'm being extra-careful not to move it, and I'm planning on calling a doctor if it lasts too much longer. Oh-and I started noticing it last night, and I slept in a way as to not move it all night long. I woke up and it still hurt when I tried to move it too much. The pain is at the top of my neck and also kind of towards the base, as well as in the center a little. I wouldn't say it's that painful, it's like maybe a 3.5 on a scale of 1-10 and that's only when I try to move it. I looked up all the possible diagnoses online and all of the severe things looked unlikely, like, I don't have a fever, I'm not dizzy, I can breathe just fine and there's no sharp pain. Oh, maybe I should mention that if I open my mouth too large it hurts too, but swallowing is fine. So-can I take care of this at home with rest or do I really need to go see a doctor? And how long should I expect for this to last. Thanks in advance.
What you're describing is most likely what people in the US call a "crick". It's a strain of the neck that causes muscle spasms- especially when you move your neck side to side. Usually the spasms will go away on their own after a day or two- usually after a good night of sleep. An anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or naproxyn will also help. Some people find that a hot compress will also help the muscles relax. If you develop a headache, fever, rash or if the pain does not subside after 2 days, you do need to see a doctor.
If it hasn't cleared by 4 days I would see a doctor. Until then, heat packs and stretching it (move your neck towards the pain) will speed it up abit.
I've found neck-stretching exercises help me out a lot. You might give these a try. * Start with your head facing forwards. Slowly lower your chin to your chest, and then bring it back up to face forwards. Repeat 5-6 times. * Turn your neck slowly to the left as far as you easily can (don't force it). Then turn to the right as far as you easily can. Repeat 4-5 times. * Face forwards, and slowly tilt your head to the left, as if to place your ear on your shoulder. Again, go as far as you easily can. Then return to face forwards, and tilt to the right. Repeat 4-5 times. Lex
Try massaging your neck a little bit and keep putting the heat on it to loosen up the muscles. You may also want to consider seeing a chiropricator. You could have a vertabrae out of alignment either in your neck or back. Either way, he would probably be able to make it feel alot better.
