[chuff]

I have a kink in my neck that I just can't seem to get rid of. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I might be able to do to help this problem? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me.

[Thomas1970]

How about finding a place where you can get a 10-15 minute chair massage? They usually charge about a dollar a minute. It would likely be very worth it. Otherwise, try a hot bath, perhaps with some sea salt, or soothing herbs such as lavender. You could possibly try getting more potassium and/or magnesium in your diet. Don't take potassium supplements though, as they aren't generally recommended for people without certain health conditions.
Take care. Hope you get some relief soon.

[jgj6331]

There are multiple possible causes for your symptoms - the most common is probably stress - that is why you often hear of someone or something referred to as a "pain in the neck". Viral infections can cause prolonged neck spasms as can trauma such as a "whiplash" injury. Underlying arthritis of the neck or a "pinched nerve" can be a source of these symptoms. There are rarer conditions such as torticollis and meningitis to consider and some medications can be the culprit. Even sleeping on it "wrong" can cause nagging neck pain. If your symptoms last for more than a few days, you need to seek the opinion of a physician. If your symptoms are severe, they can prescribe a muscle relaxant to help with the pain and stiffness - and they can follow up with tests to pinpoint the cause in your case...

[JoeCanada76]

I have had a kink in my neck since I was a teenager and it just gets worse. Especially with work. Suggestion get it checked by a doctor. Could be just a muscle spasm or as others have said some kind of infection causing those symptoms.

Another thought which people have tried telling me all my life is that stress can actually cause your neck and shoulder muscles to tense up causing kinks and knots that just won't go away.

Joe

[laura_ko]

I have a kink in my neck that I just can't seem to get rid of. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I might be able to do to help this problem? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me.

I recently started a heavy labor job and it has resulted in musle spasms/kinks in my neck that travel to my left shoulder and down to my chest making my breathing very shallow. I haven't experimented with a lot, but it seems just 2 Advil and heating pad with some massaging helps tremendously. Try that, and I've recently started doing stretching everyday before work to help prevent later occurrences.

[chuff]

Hey Laura, and everybody else for that matter let me updat you all. I had that kink in my neck for probably 4 months and I actually had a massage once and it didn't seem to help. Then around November or December I slept on the floor for three nights and I've been fine ever since. So there's my recommendation, sleep on the floor, other than providing full support for your back and neck I can't tell you exactly why it works but it does, and it hasn't been back since.

[jgj6331]

Laura,

Although your pains are most likely musculoskeletal and related to your new job - any time someone has shoulder pain (particularly on the left) that radiates into the neck and chest - and that it affects your breathing - it is imperative that you have these symptoms evaluated by a doctor to rule out heart disease. Your symptoms could also be related to angina and ischemic heart disease. Please don't delay in having this checked out ASAP...

[Kushielrose]

Laura,
You most likely have a pinched nerve that is surrounded by a knot. If you get rid of the knot your pain should go away. I've had many, many, many pinched nerves from my job.

[Dr.maya]

It works really good if you use a hot pillow and put it the microwave for about a min after its don't lay on it for 6 min then take a nice hot shower after your don't have someone give you a deep massage