Pulled Neck Muscle - JP Fitness Forums

svd201 · 08-24-2007, 07:54 AM

Hi,

This morning I was doing two-point bent over rows and looking up to watch my form in the mirror when I felt a pain on the right side of my neck/upper back. It feels like I pulled a muscle under my trapezius, since the pain is centered right along my spine. It hurts but is not totally killing me for now.

My question is: what should I be doing for this new injury in order to speed the healing process and not interfere with my training? Ice? (the pain seems too deep for that) Should I bother going to the Chiro/ART practioner yet? Or should I just wait and see how it feels in a few days?

thanks!

UConnJulie · 08-24-2007, 09:46 AM

Ice and anti-inflammatories and rest. In a few days if it is still stiff, go see the chiro/ART person ...

svd201 · 08-24-2007, 10:11 AM

Thanks Julie!

svd201 · 08-24-2007, 10:16 AM

Actually, I'm calling right now to make reserve a Monday appointment with the chiro/ART, just in case. No harm in getting adjusted, poked and prodded!

Lisa~ · 08-24-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svd201

Actually, I'm calling right now to make reserve a Monday appointment with the chiro/ART, just in case. No harm in getting adjusted, poked and prodded!

I agree. And be sure to ice it like Julie said. That will calm those nerves down a lot.

And consider substituting something else for the two-point DB rows, too. There's no need to aggravate it again once you're back to that workout.

John Izzo · 08-24-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Ice and anti-inflammatories and rest. In a few days if it is still stiff, go see the chiro/ART person ...

Julie, would you say it may be the levator scapulae? And if so, isn;t someone just prone to this muscle straining if it can easily be strained once? Maybe due to uppercross?

UConnJulie · 08-25-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Izzo

Julie, would you say it may be the levator scapulae? And if so, isn;t someone just prone to this muscle straining if it can easily be strained once? Maybe due to uppercross?

Could be uppercross ... could be lots of stuff. Often I see this kind of pain present with facet joint dysfunction ... just stretching levator or trap or the suboccipital muscles won't "fix" it as there seems to often be a joint component. Of course the cause is often our old friend scapular instability or dyskenesia or weak lower traps or whatever you want to call it.

svd201 · 08-26-2007, 12:34 PM

Julie and Izzo,

I'd love to hear the english translation of your posts! Seriously, I'd like to know why you think this might have happened. I've never had neck.upper back issues before.

Meanwhile, two days later, my neck still hurts constantly (even a little while laying down)...about the same as when I first pulled it. Tomorrow I'm supposed to go back to the gym. I guess I should stick to cardio until it heals? I was thinking the versaclimber...what do you guys think would be a safe choice until I feel better?

John Izzo · 08-26-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svd201

Julie and Izzo,

I'd love to hear the english translation of your posts! Seriously, I'd like to know why you think this might have happened. I've never had neck.upper back issues before.

Meanwhile, two days later, my neck still hurts constantly (even a little while laying down)...about the same as when I first pulled it. Tomorrow I'm supposed to go back to the gym. I guess I should stick to cardio until it heals? I was thinking the versaclimber...what do you guys think would be a safe choice until I feel better?

svd:
Uppercross syndrome looks something like this:

The neck (and shoulders) usually protrudes further out and cuases stress on the neck and trap muscles. The levator scap. muscle is located at the base of the neck (behind) and usually prone to tightening and joint dysfunction. I'd recommend you go with Julie recommendations.

svd201 · 08-26-2007, 05:15 PM

Thanks John! I actually do have posture similar to the photo. Can you recommend a source for exercises that will help correct this?

Should I lay off weight training entirely until pain subsides?

John Izzo · 08-26-2007, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svd201

Thanks John! I actually do have posture similar to the photo. Can you recommend a source for exercises that will help correct this?

Should I lay off weight training entirely until pain subsides?

Sure...I'll recommend my own, why not?
Stronger Shoulders: Improving the Function of the Rotator Cuff DVD

UConnJulie · 08-26-2007, 06:23 PM

You need to make fixing your posture a big priority as it will only worsen over time if you do not correct it now.

svd201 · 08-27-2007, 08:06 AM

Julie,

I am trying to fix my posture. That's why I was weight training in the first place.