neck pain how long should i rest?

essexcelt · 08-19-2008, 08:03 AM

I'm at the 8th work out on stage 1. I've been really enjoying the challenges of lifting heavier weights. I train at home and have trained for a couple of years. (I'm 45 and trained when I was in my 20's to loose weight, now I train to keep fit).

I've been getting neck pains and headaches (not resolved by getting new reading glasses) and feeling in my arms as though I had a trapped nerve only not as painful for the last 2 weeks . I've been waking up in the night with cramp/loss of circulation in my arms and hands for the last week, seems to be getting worse. Havent trained since Wednesday, how much longer should i rest?

Angabel · 08-19-2008, 08:21 AM

See someone. Massage or Chiro is what you need more than rest. You likely have a tight upper trap or levator causing your problems.

ts.vassilev · 08-20-2008, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angabel

See someone. Massage or Chiro is what you need more than rest. You likely have a tight upper trap or levator causing your problems.

Traps and levators need also technique corrections, soft tissue work, assistance exercises and so on.

Best see if the chiro/MS can identify the pain.

UConnJulie · 08-20-2008, 08:22 PM

Mon · 08-24-2008, 01:12 AM

The cheaper deal, so you do not have to worry about wasting your money all the time for a massage therapist - get a theracane. The best replacement for your upper body and especially if you do not have a good massage therapist around and cannot afford one all the time.

Do lower trapezius activations and really focus on scap depression and also retraction on your exercises.

Just a massage or/and chiropractor is not going to fix you when it comes to underactive muscles. I know there is tight (overactive) strong muscles that need massage and stretching; however, there are muscles that are loose (underactive) weak that affects other muscles. For example - upper trapz tend to take over in a lot of exercises (tight and strong); therefore, the lower trapz are weak (not in flexibility, but in strength).

Someone that is certified here can give you some exercises and stretches to use to help you loosen those upper trapezius and strengthen the lower and possibly mid trapz as well.

Remember - when one muscle is weak and you perform an exercise, the strong muscle takes over. When a muscle is too overactive (tight and strong) and the other muscle that works with it is too underactive (loosen and weak), that is where pain comes.

Stretch the strong, strengthen the weak. something to think about - Do 3 sets on the weak side and 1 set on the strong side. Do 3 sets on the tight side, do one set on the loose side. This all means single arm/shoulder exercises instead of 2 arm/shoulder exercises right now until your goal is met.

Before starting any exercise program, see a good chiropractor (not just anyone random or in your area because there are not a lot of good chiropractors around. I did that for first chiropractor visit and it was not a good chiropractor at all. The one I currently see is from a pilates teacher recommendation at school and sending all her students there for posture problems). or you can see a good massage therapist or even physical therapist (again, not just any physical therapist) and see what they say first. Do not go to a regular doctor though because all they will do is want you on a bunch of medication and stuff (take your money), forget that.