“How do you treat a pulled neck muscle?”
I'm 45, and have no history of back problems but now my neck won't stop hurting. I think I pulled a muscle in my neck somehow, how should I treat it?
9 Answers
Depending on the patient there are a variety of methods available at your chiropractor's office.
Make an appointment with a doctor who specializes in conditions of the neck. You will want to seek someone who is highly trained in this region of the body to perform a comprehensive history and evaluation to make recommendations on the best course for you. Medication should be one of the last treatment forms recommended, in my opinion, for the reason that there are many conservative and natural methods of treating and healing that can result in long term relief and then prevention in the future.
Generally speaking, if you have pain that does not improve within 3-5 days, you should have it examined by a professional. As far as how to treat “a pulled muscle," it really depends on a few things: 1. How it was done 2. What are the symptoms? Does the pain travel? What kind of pain is it? 3. Is there any other history or outlying factors that could be affecting your situation?
it will depend on what exactly the problem is and where it is. Sometimes we use a muscular technique, sometimes we only administer a chiropractic adjustment. I find that sometimes the actual problem is in the shoulder and that needs to be treated. A good place to start at home is with ice applied to the affected area 15min/hr. That can give some quick relief. Call your chiropractor if you are still having trouble after that.
Try using moist heat like hot showers and gentle stretching. If it’s not improving in couple days you should see a chiropractor.
They can manipulate your spine and loosen the muscles. It’s safe and very effective.
They can manipulate your spine and loosen the muscles. It’s safe and very effective.
It depends on how long you have had the pain. If the pain began 1-3 days ago, I would suggest ice, ibuprofen and gentle stretching of the affected musculature. If the pain continues after a week, have a good Chiropractor or Orthopedic doctor do an exam to determine if the pain is coming from the joint, nerve or muscle or a combination. If the spinal joints are involved causing the muscle spasm or tension, then manipulation or mobilization may be appropriate. If the pain is strictly muscular, then stretching and massage may help to alleviate the pain. I hope this information is helpful.
Take care and be well,
Dr. Eric Miller
Take care and be well,
Dr. Eric Miller
You are more than likely sleeping in the “wrong" positions! Sleeping prone/on your stomach keeps your neck twisted for, sometimes, hours at a time! Sleeping supine (on your back) with “too many" pillows tends to lead to the straightening or even the reversal of the “normal” cervical lordotic curve! Or even sleeping on your side, with either too many or no pillows at all, can cause scoliosis in the neck. If any, possible all, of these apply to you, you need chiropractic treatment to realign the misaligned joints in your neck/spine!
Ice first. If it doesn't go away, see a chiropractor.
I would recommend going to a Chiropractor for an examination first. They can determine the cause of your neck pain and treat it appropriately.
