neck stiffness

[autumnthebrat2]

So for the past 3 years I have been having really weird neck stiffness and immobility off and on. I went on youtube and seen videos on scm trigger points and neck stretches. I tried doing several of them and it seems to make it worse. Do you think its the case that I should stick with it, I never do it more than once or twice then I get frustrated and stop, or should I give it more time.

[Hidden]

Try muscle rub. I broke my neck and it still sometimes helps me. I like the heat rubs but not the capsaicin. It is TOO hot.

[b1b1b1]

Perhaps physical therapy will help.

[AllHis]

OH MY! This is the same circle of events for me. I went the end of Jan. of this year for a specialist for my jaw/TMJ/TMD. He stated it wasn't my jaw, but my neck. The more exercises for my neck, the tighter the neck & then chest pains came! What IS JOINING ON?! Then the lack of sleep & insomnia...And now back to TMD specialist because I can't bite into anything with my left jaw.

So try this.

A good Magnesium blend (a natural muscle relaxer) taken with dinner. This has made me sleepy. You can heal a lot better if you get some quality sleep...

And I personally follow Fatty Liver Foundation under Unlocked, because I believe diet is key & I suffer with rib pain & bile reflux. Olive oil added to the Mediterranean Diet has been slowly helping.

Question for you. Is it the right side of your neck? It could be your liver...just eliminating soybean oil and adding 4 tablespoons olive oil a day may improve your health.

Not a doctor, just trying to help & find answers myself.

[autumnthebrat2 in reply to AllHis]

Thanks, it seems to be like both sides of my neck. I do eat things with so bean oil, I'll try eliminating

[Hidden]

You may want to look into your posture and work ergonomics, that was my primary culprit with chronic neck pain and stiffness.

[autumnthebrat2 in reply to Hidden]

It could be,I'm always looking down at my phone and I can feel my neck when I'm texting. I've read something on tension myeosis syndrome and the more u focus on it and try to fix, the worse it gets

[Hidden in reply to autumnthebrat2]

Your neck is super delicate, a lot of important things happen in your neck, brain stem, and mid brain... strain on that area can cause a ton of weird things to happen, even eye stains believe it or not... look up "tech neck"... or upper cross syndrome. With today's digital generation, its becoming more of a common issue.

[autumnthebrat2]

thanks i'll look it up

[Hidden in reply to autumnthebrat2]

Just remember a 20 lb head that is balanced on your shoulders is normal. When you lean forward, that 20 lb head becomes like a 60 lb head pulling on your neck, back, and head muscles... over time they get irritated and tired.

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

MadtownDan, I agree with everything you are saying about neck stiffness. For me it started with a car accident years ago where my head got a sideway whiplash in the passenger seat. Everything was okay for a while but when anxiety came along, I started jutting my head forward when fearful as well as to keep my balance and the rest is history. Pain and stiffness follow me every day. I appreciate your knowledge on this subject matter.

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Excellent reminder, anxiety tends to make us somewhat hunch back in nature due to tightening of muscles and tendons, it can throw out posture off considerably. What you feel today likely came from yesterday, so it's a vicious cycle.

[autumnthebrat2 in reply to Agora1]

Agora, I remember you responded to my post on neck tension awhile back and your problems with your neck. I was hoping this would be gone by now. I have tried several things, acupuncture, some other weird therapy I forget the name of, heat, ice, tens, and nothing seems to help, maybe even makes it worse. I was looking on youtube and seen some vids by dr Mandell talking about suboccipital muscle problems from tech neck and the sterncledomastoid muscle and trigger points. Tried a few of his techniques and seems to make it worse. I think my brain has been trained to activate those muscles whenever im stressed , ie kid whining, doing the finances etc. Very frustrating

[Agora1 in reply to autumnthebrat2]

Exactly autumnthebrat2. Whenever I'm stressed the neck automatically goes forward. The only thing that helped at one time was wearing a cervical collar

but my doctor didn't like the idea. Not only are my muscles tight but I have disc problems as well. I truly feel it's from years of stress and anxiety. Everyone has a weak spot that is more susceptible to repetitive abusive posture. Mine is the neck.