How to relieve back/neck pain?

[diam124]

Tuesday night I slept on a very thin mattress on an old sleeper couch and my back is killing me! Yesterday the pain went up and down my spine. Today it is higher up and radiating to my neck and shoulders. I can't really move my neck at all. I feel like I got hit by a truck.

I'm a side sleeper and I think I must have been compressing something in my back on the thin mattress. Last night I was back in my own bed and I slept most of the night on my side.

Should I be sleeping on my back? I occassionally get lower back pain but Advil and a heat wrap take care of it quickly. They are not helping at all now. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm afraid that I might make it worse.

[artist]

I have chronic back and neck pain and honestly, nothing has truely ever relieved the pain, but here are some things I have tried...

http://www.biofreeze.com/images//products/roll_on.jpg
Biofreeze
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(Not sold at too many places however)

Chiropractic care
(including ultrasound therapy)

Acupuncture
(including herbal remedies, cupping, painkiller patches)

Physical Therapy
(including yoga/pilates like stretches and strength training)

Massage

OTC medications

Hot Bath





Honestly, if your back and neck are hurting so bad you can't move your neck, you might want to give your doctor a call and/or see a specialist! Out of any of the things I have mentioned, I seriously recommend acupuncture!

[diam124]

I think I'm going to wait another day to see if I can at least ease the pain before making an appointment with a specialist.

I actually have my regular Pilates class tonight so I tried to do some Pilates exercises this morning to see if I could do them, but it wasn't happening unfortunately.

[snoopy30]

Yikes I've had neck/shoulder pain like that before and it hurts! I've gotten itfrom sleeping in a funny position or picking up my DS in an awkward way.

I found heat and ibuprofen to be a big help. I know it hurts but try to stretch your neck and shoulders a little bit to loosen things up. For me it was always better after a few days but if yours doesn't improve check with a doctor. It may be a muscle strain or pinched nerve (nothing serious of course!).

Hope you feel better soon!

[diam124]

Well it's been a week since I hurt my back and thankfully it is much better, but I'm having some lingering neck pain when I look down for extended periods of time. Cooking last night was pretty painful. I hope this goes away completely!

DH did not believe me that the pain was from the mattress. He was convinced that I did something else to strain my back. Well the other day he tells me that he was watching Seinfeld and Elaine had to go to a chiropractor after sleeping on a sleeper sofa. I told him I was glad to hear that he takes a tv character's word over his wife's word!