A week ago we went hiking in the mountains and I had my 24 lbs son in a frontal carrier but I carried him on my back. I hiked for about 15 min with him in my back and eventually I started carrying him frontally. 24 hrs later I got the worst back of the neck pain and stiffness I ever had and although I have been to chiropractor twice ever since, my neck still hurts although I am not that stiff anymore. It hurts mostly when I sleep a night for more than few hours on my back and during the day when I lean my head forward. My chiropractor said that my neck muscles are still very tight and recommended hot pads for 20 min, 4-5'times a day. Any other advice on what I should do to relieve the pain and speed up the healing? Thanks a lot!
See a massage therapist. I am a small framed 34DD. If anyone knows about chronic neck pain, it's me! When my neck and shoulder pain become unbearable, I go to my massage therapist and she targets that area. It's a lifesaver! I have a standing appointment, but lately, I haven't been. I can really feel it, too.
I use ice instead of heat. It reduces the inflammation. You might try it and see if you feel better. I put some ice in a baggie the lean back on it.
I freeze water in a Styrofoam cup then hubby peals the top off until the ice dome is exposed. He rubs very firmly and gets the dome down in my muscles and joints very well. Then he can toss the cup and his hands never get cold.
If I get a wry neck, I'll sleep with a heating pad on low over night.
I'll also rub Aspercream into it and take ibuprofan.
It's usually gone in about 2 to 3 days.
Damp heat can help.
You can put a damp washcloth on between you and the heating pad.
A hot Epsom salt bath can help relax muscles too.
If the pain subsides, get an x-ray.
When I had a bout of neck pain, I went to the dr and was prescribed meds.
Later, I had an MRI---and the dr (then) found out exactly what was going on.
If the pain does not subside in a few weeks, get a picture of what is going on. I ended up going to physical theraphy and had soft tissue massage by the owner of the physical theraphy center --because nothing else helped me.
Ouch! I think the best thing to speed healing would be to not add any more stress to your neck by carrying your son, but I'm guessing that's impossible. :(
For the future, I would get one of those metal frame baby/toddler backpacks for hikes. At 24 pounds front carry would be too stressful for my back, and back-carrying without support (even with an Ergo or like-carrier) can be difficult too.
I agree with the ibuprofen suggestion. I also make use of the soft foam neck braces (found at any drug store). It seemed to give the strained muscles a break by having a 'rest' from holding up my head!
best
ouch! my neck hurts just thinking about carrying a 24lb baby in a front carrier on a hike! we hiked a ton with our kids, but always in backpacks.
i second feline's suggestion to get a foam neck brace to give your poor muscles a rest. sprains can heal relatively quickly if they are given a break, but you've got to hold up your dang head, don't you?
you may want to alternate the heat with ice, which does seem to speed up the process. i've found traumeel to be very helpful as a topical rub. and good old tylenol.
hope you feel better soon.
khairete
S.
My doctor would recommend 600 mg of ibuprofen (Motrin) 2x's a day for a week. Now when ever I have inflammation this is what I do before I actually go to the doctor.
I would also look up physical therapy exercises for pulled neck muscles and do them religiously. Hopefully you can heal yourself. Feel better!!
I have scoliosis, a spinal curvature. It'slight but still causes neck pain when I make certain movements for an extended length of time. Several doctors and a chiropractor have told me my neck hurts because I've strained it. It takes time for those muscles to relax and go back in place. It's taken several weeks for the pain to subside. I also get chronic headaches.
Chiropractic didn't help except the doctor was able to explain the cause for me. I've taken muscle relaxants when I can't function and those do help. Heat helps. Moist heat is a bit better. Maintaining good posture helps. Exercises or physical therapy sometimes lessen the pain. If I could strengthen my neck and shoulder muscles I would not sprain it as easily.
I can't carry heavy objects hanging down from my arm. Once I figured that out and stopped doing it I had pain less often. Sounds like this will be a one time condition for you because you won't carry baby on your back with a front pack.
Expect to have pain for several weeks. Those muscles have been stretched and it takes time for them to heal.
BTW: an x-ray or MRI will not show soft tissue damage. It will only show if your spine is damaged.
Sometimes I suffer from a muscle spasm that runs from my shoulder blade up my neck. What short cuts the duration is an NSAID and magnesium at 4-6 hour intervals throughout the day. I either take slow magnesium or regular magnesium (some people are more sensitive to regular magnesium and it can put them in the bathroom so be forewarned).
