What do I do about serious neck pain?!
Question:
What do I do about serious neck pain?
The whole left side of my neck is sore and swollen, I can't turn to the left at all and my neck is tilted to the right side. I can't keep my head straight. I've been alternating cold and hot pads, took the max amount of ibprofuen (sp?) and have been rubbing analgesic cream on it. It is still killing me. I woke up it was sore and got gradually worse and now it is like this. All I can do is lie in bed. Thats the worst part, my body needs exercise. Any help is appreciated.
Answers:
I went through this same situation. In my case, I have a couple of herniated discs C5,6 and 7 to be exact. I hope that this is not your problem but to make sure, get an MRI and get the problem diagnosed.
I recommend seeing a physiatrist - a sports medicine specialist - the type most NFL teams have on staff. The 49ers and the SF Giants use Michael Dillingham.
see:
http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/what.htm...
I went to SOAR. see:
http://www.soarmedical.com/medicalteam.h...
My Dr. employed a combination of eastern and western medicine to alieviate my chronic pain. Some of the modalities were:
* accupunture for pain and neurological rehab
* massage
* steroid injections (when all else failed)
* extensive physical therapy
* biofeedback to retrain me on how to use my body without reaggravating my neck
* traction
If you are diagnosed with a herniated disc(s) you may be given Naprosin (sort of a super Ibuprofen), muscle relaxers and pain killers as well as a removable neck brace.
Obviously, this condition is not going to let you ignore it. This is your body's way of letting you know you have pushed it too far and it will demand attention.
You need sleep because that is when the body heals. I know sleep is next to impossible so it may be helpful to cup your pillow around your neck to effect a kind of traction while laying down.
Good luck and I hope you recover soon.