neck problems

[The Abdominal Snoman]

I've had neck issues and found that they are related to sleep. A better mattress may help. I suggest memory foam.
A cheaper solution which would work in addition to a mattress is a memory foam pillow. I find that if I sleep without mine I risk having neck pain.

I used a memory foam pillow for a year and found it actually gave me neck problems. Switched to a MYPILLOW and there was an adjustment period of about 2 weeks but haven't had a real neck issues since. In my case it was definitely the pillow I was using.

http://www.mypillow.com/

[cephissus]

Do you guys find doctors etc. to really care or offer useful advice for weightlifting problems?

I gave up after a while...

[titusisback]

Do you guys find doctors etc. to really care or offer useful advice for weightlifting problems?

Doctor's rarely care about what's causing your problem. They just prescribe pain medication most of the time. I've found most help from physiotherapists. Chiropractors seem to bullshit you a lot - I don't really trust them and the few times I used them didn't help me at all. I've also heard good things about osteopathy but never tried it.

[titusisback]

I used a memory foam pillow for a year and found it actually gave me neck problems.

I bought a cervical pillow and that gave me problems as well instead of helping.

[_bruce_]

Do you guys find doctors etc. to really care or offer useful advice for weightlifting problems?

I gave up after a while...

Forget most of them - they just think nothing at all or judge you as being an idiot. I remember one neurologist who didn't even care to tell me that hard dense muscles in the neck and traps can also cause nerve problems(severly impacted my left arm). He presumed I wanted him to write something that I didn't have to work anymore and just ignored most of my "complaints". Total imbecile... especially when you're desperate for relief.

The problem with my left arm was partially rooted in the shoulder but also the trap region... with the tennisball I "released" a knot nearly 1 inch in diameter... after that the numbness appeared once a month at max.
The muscle was as sore as Shizzo's throat after a day of "work".  

To the op... as already mentioned - try a traction device and be careful.

[spiro]

I used a memory foam pillow for a year and found it actually gave me neck problems. Switched to a MYPILLOW and there was an adjustment period of about 2 weeks but haven't had a real neck issues since. In my case it was definitely the pillow I was using.

http://www.mypillow.com/

My wife got me one of those I didn't make it one night i didn't like how much I sunk in. I'm using a tempur pedic. I will give my pillow another chance.

[Griffith]

Possibly aggravated by trigger points in the muscles.

Sometimes these trigger points (spasms which can be dormant) can be in other parts of the body, but their imbalance or because they're not functioning properly as a result of the spasm can pull on the joint, causing pain in the joints when there is nothing actually wrong with the joint itself.

[Mr Anabolic]

I used a memory foam pillow for a year and found it actually gave me neck problems. Switched to a MYPILLOW and there was an adjustment period of about 2 weeks but haven't had a real neck issues since. In my case it was definitely the pillow I was using.

http://www.mypillow.com/

Just a mass marketing gimmick.

[falco]

30 years of squatting is what injured my neck (C6-C7 nerve compression).  I cannot squat without my manta ray and I cannot squat more than 250lbs, even with the manta ray.  At 50, I really don't care about squatting super heavy anymore.

Even using a low bar placement?
I had a c6c7 bursted disk and i never notice squats to make it worse. Deadlifts and standing bicep curls are a killer though.

[_bruce_]

Possibly aggravated by trigger points in the muscles.

Sometimes these trigger points (spasms which can be dormant) can be in other parts of the body, but their imbalance or because they're not functioning properly as a result of the spasm can pull on the joint, causing pain in the joints when there is nothing actually wrong with the joint itself.

x2

[Mr Anabolic]

Even using a low bar placement?
I had a c6c7 bursted disk and i never notice squats to make it worse. Deadlifts and standing bicep curls are a killer though.

Always did high bar, never felt comfortable with low bar.  I love squats and I've gone very heavy in the past; 500+ at a bodyweight of 180.  I only do them once a month now.  Even with the manta ray, I still have neck pain a few days afterward.  Doing extensions first, then leg presses has been a decent alternative.

[El Diablo Blanco]

Do you guys find doctors etc. to really care or offer useful advice for weightlifting problems?

I gave up after a while...

First doctor had the typical solution.  Take some prescription Aleeve.  Typical bullshit response of taking drugs to mask the issue.  I saw a real physician who is going to take me through some fascia deep tissue work.  It is painful but long term will actually help solve the issue.

[Grape Ape]

First doctor had the typical solution.  Take some prescription Aleeve.  Typical bullshit response of taking drugs to mask the issue.  I saw a real physician who is going to take me through some fascia deep tissue work.  It is painful but long term will actually help solve the issue.

Yup - sports docs and high end trainers are key for injuries and shit like this.

[NaturalWonder83]

I used to have neck issues
I made my deep neck flexors stronger and that helped

Also if you do not tighten your core, and your lower lats do not activate, your neck will tighten up to comp-ensate.

Eliminate forward head posture as well--if u trained back and u didn't tighten your core at any point then your neck and upper traps compensated and tightened up

Short term fixes for pain are proelectic enzymes, rumble roller on neck, massaging between 2 and 3 knuckles massaging around the outer part of hands, and massaging the traps and levator

I know we have a lot of guys on here who have neck and back issues. I have been having problems with my neck for the last few years now. It feels okay sometimes but If I do something wrong or overdo things in the gym I am in miserable pain for weeks sometimes. I'm starting to get fucking sick of it my mood is effected by it my whole quality of life has been effected by it. I had an MRI done a few months ago they said I have bulging disks c3, c4. I'm 32 years old in pretty good shape. I want to get this taken care of before it gets worse. I'm not sure where to start though. Is surgery something I should look into? I tried chiropractic and massage work for years it didn't help at all in fact I think the guy made my situation worse. After I stopped going I started to feel better. Two days ago I trained back and biceps. I went too heavy I'm not sure what I did wrong but I have been miserable last few days. It makes me want to use benzos its the only thing that seems to help. I don't want an addiction though. The rebound effect isn't worth it.

Anyone able to fix their neck problems?

[NaturalWonder83]

I also now use a water filled pillow
I no longer have tight neck in the am and I sleep so much better

[Marty Champions]

I know we have a lot of guys on here who have neck and back issues. I have been having problems with my neck for the last few years now. It feels okay sometimes but If I do something wrong or overdo things in the gym I am in miserable pain for weeks sometimes. I'm starting to get fucking sick of it my mood is effected by it my whole quality of life has been effected by it. I had an MRI done a few months ago they said I have bulging disks c3, c4. I'm 32 years old in pretty good shape. I want to get this taken care of before it gets worse. I'm not sure where to start though. Is surgery something I should look into? I tried chiropractic and massage work for years it didn't help at all in fact I think the guy made my situation worse. After I stopped going I started to feel better. Two days ago I trained back and biceps. I went too heavy I'm not sure what I did wrong but I have been miserable last few days. It makes me want to use benzos its the only thing that seems to help. I don't want an addiction though. The rebound effect isn't worth it.

Anyone able to fix their neck problems?

just started trainin lower back , n will train neck if i have pain. working under cars n sinks gives the neck a good ole crank

[Danimal77]

Good post I will look into seeing a physiotherapist.

I'd recommend an osteopath. Much better.

[FREAKgeek]

I know we have a lot of guys on here who have neck and back issues. I have been having problems with my neck for the last few years now. It feels okay sometimes but If I do something wrong or overdo things in the gym I am in miserable pain for weeks sometimes. I'm starting to get fucking sick of it my mood is effected by it my whole quality of life has been effected by it. I had an MRI done a few months ago they said I have bulging disks c3, c4. I'm 32 years old in pretty good shape. I want to get this taken care of before it gets worse. I'm not sure where to start though. Is surgery something I should look into? I tried chiropractic and massage work for years it didn't help at all in fact I think the guy made my situation worse. After I stopped going I started to feel better. Two days ago I trained back and biceps. I went too heavy I'm not sure what I did wrong but I have been miserable last few days. It makes me want to use benzos its the only thing that seems to help. I don't want an addiction though. The rebound effect isn't worth it.

Anyone able to fix their neck problems?

I ruptured a disk in my neck years back. It took 2 years to heal. But even to this day every now and then I feel a clicking or poping or something off. So I guess it's not 100% healed, but I can train and it doesn't affect my life.

[FREAKgeek]

Do you guys find doctors etc. to really care or offer useful advice for weightlifting problems?

I gave up after a while...

So much of pain, especially back (spine)  is not understood. A lot of people think chiropractors are a bunch of pseudo sciences.

[_bruce_]

So much of pain, especially back (spine)  is not understood. A lot of people think chiropractors are a bunch of pseudo sciences.

True.
One of the doctors that checked my pictures said that the spine and neck look great but there's is no guarantee that a "good looking" spine is pain free. He said that he has people with terrible looking spines(vertebrae rotated, disks thinned out) and they were practically painfree.
At the same time I didn't have 5 minutes a day were there weren't aches, cramps and general discomfort. Practically hell on earth.

[WalterWhite]

True.
One of the doctors that checked my pictures said that the spine and neck look great but there's is no guarantee that a "good looking" spine is pain free. He said that he has people with terrible looking spines(vertebrae rotated, disks thinned out) and they were practically painfree.
At the same time I didn't have 5 minutes a day were there weren't aches, cramps and general discomfort. Practically hell on earth.

All depends what nerve roots the discs are leaning on. My C6 disc is compressed/fractured and leans on that nerve root.  That in tern causes all the pain along that nerve root.

[SilverSpoon]

why are so very few recommending strengthening the neck?

Flexion, lateral flexion and extension will go a very long way to helping your neck feel better.

I believe in this so much that there is a Nautilus 4 way neck in my basement.

[Marty Champions]

why are so very few recommending strengthening the neck?

Flexion, lateral flexion and extension will go a very long way to helping your neck feel better.

I believe in this so much that there is a Nautilus 4 way neck in my basement.

x2 training it will correct imbalances