I just managed to do something to my back/neck area. I moved wrong and OW! You know, that area in your shoulders, but slightly to the right of you spine. The last time I did this, I was in pain for days, barely able to move my head or sleep (because of the incline of the pillow being too much and the incline of laying my head flat being too much).:omg::think

Are you using either ice or heat on it? Taking any Tylenol?

I've got a heating pad on it right now, and I did take a tylenol.

I've got a heating pad on it right now, and I did take a tylenol.

I believe that cold is recommended for the first 48 hours, followed by heat after 48 hours, but that is only what I heard and not to be taken as medical advice.

I believe that cold is recommended for the first 48 hours, followed by heat after 48 hours, but that is only what I heard and not to be taken as medical advice.

Technically it is supposed to be cold for a couple of days and then heat but a lot of docs are changing the rules to... whatever feels better. It kind of makes sense to do what feels better, the body is amazing at telling us what it wants. We just don't often times listen. ;o) Or, at least I don't. If I did I wouldn't be a BubbleButt! LOL

Technically it is supposed to be cold for a couple of days and then heat but a lot of docs are changing the rules to... whatever feels better. It kind of makes sense to do what feels better, the body is amazing at telling us what it wants. We just don't often times listen. ;o) Or, at least I don't. If I did I wouldn't be a BubbleButt! LOL

I always felt that heat felt better to my body and I hated cold, but I have had a few experiences lately, that have taught me that cold is better, though less enjoyable.

Is it starting to hurt the same way it did last time when it was especially bad?

It's not nearly as bad, but it isn't going away, either. Instead of constantly hurting like it did last time, it is just hurting when I move certain ways.

I pulled a muscle/tendon in my neck/shoulder from coughing and the doc recommended heat 15-20 mins at a time several times during the day and icy hot at night. I am also on muscle relaxers for the next few days. My neck is really hurting, I just realized I have missed several chances to apply heat today. I'm feeling it now, so I can sympathize. Hope you feel better. ~Mandy

As a licensed chiropractic physician, without more information I can not begin to make any suggestions about what is causing your problem or what to do about it....that's what physical examinations are for....

I've tried in the past to divine what might be causing various problems, but long distance over the net it really isn't possible to make a responsible professional diagnosis.

Sorry I can't help more.

That you have had similar complaints before suggests you should have a local provider take a close look. And please, let us know what you find out.

It's just my muscles tightening up until I pull one. It happens every time I get really stressed out. Last time was because I was taking several really hard classes at the same time, and wound up having several big projects come due. The time before last was because I was moving with my family's "assistance" (note: never get two overprotective parents and an extremely bossy older brother help you move, get movers instead). This time, it is because I am trying to get most of my thesis done this semester, and I have about a month before I have to present my data, but I am WAY behind on it. So, strained muscles in my back.

Laurend, I do this "thing" to my back sometimes... I say "thing" because doctors tend to dismiss it, but it causes SEVERE pain. It will come out of no where, but is usually associated with an arm movement. Once it was while washing my hair, once while sitting down on a bed... once I even did it in my sleep, and woke up to the pain.

The pain is so intense I freeze. Generally I can't move my head either... even the bumps in the road on the way to the ER cause agony. But it doesn't hurt constantly, only with certain movements. E.g. sometimes if I walk holding a pillow between my body and my arm, it's a LOT more comfortable. Weird that it would matter that much, huh? But only sometimes. Sometimes I feel like Quasimodo because I have to walk with my back hunched and my neck cranked or endure searing pain... but at rest I'm ok.

If I had to diagnose myself, I would say it feels like a ripped muscle. It hurts that much. But when I tell them the antecedent activity, they dismiss it and want an xray. It usually happens in the trapezius area... and one in my lower infraspinatus. (I say "usually"... like 4 or 5 times in my life). It will kill me for a day or two, then over the span of about two weeks gradually taper off until I'm fine.

The most serious I've been able to have a doctor take it was an Rx for vicodin and flexeril. All that did was give me a lot of gastric distress, and take the pain away temporarily.

Oh, and one doctor said, "I don't know, maybe a trigger point? You feel a little balled up." And wanted to give me steroid injections. No thanks!

Anyway, I don't know if this is at all what you're feeling/experiencing, but if so, maybe we need to join forces and figure out what's happening once and for all. :myscared:

Wheetsin, it sounds like that might be a nerve problem. Is it sort of a shooting, sharp pain? It sounds a lot like the pain I get with my sciatic nerve occasionally (except in a different spot). Sometimes, it gets so bad that it is extremely painful to walk, and laying in certain positions makes it hurt really bad. It doesn't constantly hurt, though, just when I walk or lay in a certain position or move a certain way.

Wheetsin, it sounds like that might be a nerve problem. Is it sort of a shooting, sharp pain? It sounds a lot like the pain I get with my sciatic nerve occasionally (except in a different spot). Sometimes, it gets so bad that it is extremely painful to walk, and laying in certain positions makes it hurt really bad. It doesn't constantly hurt, though, just when I walk or lay in a certain position or move a certain way.

Wheetsin, have you seen a Chiropractor? I had continual back problems that medical doctors could do nothing about, except keep me in a stupor with drugs. After 4 or 5 visits to a Chiropractor, I was able to function normally. A visit every few weeks after that, kept me "straight".

Right now, I have the best of both worlds; my GP (Family MD) was a Chiropractor, and when no one is looking (he works for a large medical institute), he will give me an "adjustment".