Thoughts on how to 'cure' a stiff neck instead of just waiting around for two days for it to 'release' ?????

Get a good massage and use something that induces heat like Tiger Balm. Start the day with a long hot shower.

Grrrrrrrrrr






Thx. for the tips.

I guess in the absence of Icy Hot, Tiger Balm is the 'cure all' Ben Gay of choice around here ?

Indeed, a massage and a hot bath will do. Stiff neck is really a big pain.

I am always wondering what causes stiff neck? its the way I sleep or my pillow is too low?

It's got to be a function of sleep (head & neck) position... I can't think of any other reason that you would cramp neck muscles like that.

Usually a combination of sleeping position, and cold air on the muscle. I have it a lot, not only my neck, but also my upper back. I guess in my case the main cause is 'getting old'.

Hell if pain is any indication of age, I've got to be something like 125 or 140...

So Tiger Balm actually felt pretty good last night... didn't help me sleep, but definitely made the hour leading up to sleep much better.

That's good. Hope you get rid of it soon. It's no fun at all.

You're in China. Go to an acupuncturist. Ask around friends if they know of a good one, or go to the Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital in Shanghai. It works miracles. Took me one needle in the back of my hand, 4 visits over the course of a week and a half, and I went from being totally immobile and in agony (I had put my neck out with a loud click) to being fully cured.
Cost me 60 RMB per visit. He did traction first, then heat lamp/heat pad, then massage, then the needle.

It's to bad you don't live in a country were you can get cheap massages.

I can do all of the above, care to tell me where to stick the needle so I can save 240 RMB ?

Throw in a happy ending massage for good riddens

sorry to hear about your neck and hope it has improved, DesertSpider. tiger balm does work pretty well as Andreas suggested. you may also be using the wrong type of pillow for your sleeping position (side, stomach or back). posture can also affect the neck, especially if you have a desk job. if the pain returns, you may want to consider muscle relaxer like valium or soma. not for long-term use, but can reduce the ouch factor. if you opt for a massage, be sure it is someone you trust because considerable damage can be done to the tender area if done incorrectly. a chiropractor can also work wonders, just so long as your aren't squeamish about being "crunched"... oftentimes the neck and back are simply out of alignment and an adjustment can put you to rights. a combination of hot/cold therapy can help (bag of uncooked rice heated in the microwave followed by an ice pack is the easiest way to do it).

or try bougie's suggestion!

DS,

I damaged the C6,7& 8 Cervical Vertabrae in my neck and strained my T1&2 Thorasic V in Dec 2006 and couldn't move or feel any of my limbs for 24 hours (was very very lucky not to have been paralysed) and it took three months to gain full range of motion again, so I know the pain it causes.



After MRI confirmed this, I had a load of manipulation and acupuncture with an Australian Physio called Mark Wu and later with a Dr Gipson a Chiropractor (Due to my bed)
So maybe consult one of these (Google SEIMC)

Also try the spot massage at Dragonfly masseur's (65 rmb) and ask them to get really deep in to your shoulder and back muscles, ask them to apply tiger balm during the massage.

Don't do any weights at the gym for a while, but stretch your arms, shoulders and back every morning and night, & hot pack/towel to stimulate blood flow and loosen the muscle tissue.

Try an anti-inflamation medication like Ibuprofen or Fenbid (over the counter) and buy a couple of different density pillows.

My big problem was this professional orthopaedic memory foam mattress that I have here - ITS THE BIGGEST LOAD OF CRAP I HAVE EVER SLEPT ON.

But when in doubt, use your medical insurance and consult a physician.

Good luck.

Every man in the world has or has had bad or neck problems. For me I think it is from falling off motorcycles and stairs while in a drunken stuuper.

Hope it all gets better Spidey