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What Causes Pain And Stiffness In Neck And Shoulder?
Question: Stiff and slightly painful left side of neck (back) and shoulder, stiff and slight pain when turning my head left, sort of crampy feeling, had it over a week. Able to do normal things, its just very annyoying at times1
Brief Answer:
follow the protocol of treatment as advised.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/52 - over 1 week - stiff and slightly painful back of neck on left side and the shoulder - on turning head to left - feeling of cramps - very annoying at times - tried ice, hot, pain patches, ibuprofen - relief + but no elimination - felt like was going away but came back on Monday.
Your elucidate history is suggestive that there is muscle spasm and since this is the neck area, which is always under movement and the muscles are active even to hold the neck in position during the time you are not sleeping, the recovery is not predictable.
I would advise you the following:
We have to break the vicious cycle of pain > spam > pain > spams .
- No icing, it dose not help at this stage, in fact can increase spasm.
- Hot fomentation can be of symptomatic help, but not done if the rubrafacient liniments are applied. Rubrafacient liniments are the ones which when applied gives warmth and help reducing the spasm. Apply at least three to four times a day.
- You should take Ibuprofen in appropriate dosage exactly at 8 hourly interval for it to be really effective.
- You may take a PPI like Omeprazole to avoid the gastritis that can occur with Ibuprofen.
- Apply a neck collar if you have, helps to stabilize the muscles.
- Bed rest if possible.
- Sound sleep of at least 8 hours as this acts as the best muscle relaxant.
- Oral muscle relaxant may need a prescription, please consult your Pharmacy if it is OTC in your country. If available - well and good. If not can wait for.
If your please follow this advise, it is possible that you will be cured.
If there is no relief with 3-5 days consult your Doctor for clinical examination and investigations if he/she feels so.
I hope this answer helps you.
follow the protocol of treatment as advised.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/52 - over 1 week - stiff and slightly painful back of neck on left side and the shoulder - on turning head to left - feeling of cramps - very annoying at times - tried ice, hot, pain patches, ibuprofen - relief + but no elimination - felt like was going away but came back on Monday.
Your elucidate history is suggestive that there is muscle spasm and since this is the neck area, which is always under movement and the muscles are active even to hold the neck in position during the time you are not sleeping, the recovery is not predictable.
I would advise you the following:
We have to break the vicious cycle of pain > spam > pain > spams .
- No icing, it dose not help at this stage, in fact can increase spasm.
- Hot fomentation can be of symptomatic help, but not done if the rubrafacient liniments are applied. Rubrafacient liniments are the ones which when applied gives warmth and help reducing the spasm. Apply at least three to four times a day.
- You should take Ibuprofen in appropriate dosage exactly at 8 hourly interval for it to be really effective.
- You may take a PPI like Omeprazole to avoid the gastritis that can occur with Ibuprofen.
- Apply a neck collar if you have, helps to stabilize the muscles.
- Bed rest if possible.
- Sound sleep of at least 8 hours as this acts as the best muscle relaxant.
- Oral muscle relaxant may need a prescription, please consult your Pharmacy if it is OTC in your country. If available - well and good. If not can wait for.
If your please follow this advise, it is possible that you will be cured.
If there is no relief with 3-5 days consult your Doctor for clinical examination and investigations if he/she feels so.
I hope this answer helps you.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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