Treatment for Sore Neck and Shoulder Muscles!

http://www.shelterpub.com/_fitness/_desk_stretches/desk_s...
I work at a desk all day too and make it a point to go through these once a day to help relieve tension and aches.:)

I work from home on a computer all day too! I make sure to jump up at least every hour and go switch laundry, go get another glass of tea, etc and strech my arms, legs and back. Really check out the chair you're in. I know they're expensive, but a good chair makes a world of difference!! Also, my hubby likes a rice bag warmed up in the microwave after a long day of driving at work (Sales Rep). I made a homemade one out of a large sock!!!

The epsom salts bath idea is intriguing--I've never tried it. I'll have to give it a try. Usually for neck and shoulder aches I take ibuprofen or some other anti-inflammatory. I also have better luck with cold compresses than hot ones. Even though the hot ones usually feel better against your skin, cold will help eliminate swelling in the muscles. I also try to stretch throughout the day, whenever I think about it; just a quick couple of stretches while sitting at my desk.

Bend your neck sideways against the ache hold your head down (If your bending R use you R hand) and while holding push your head against the bend to wards the ache. The counter forces stretches the neck muscle.

For the shoulders..with 1 arm over the same side shoulder and the other behind the same side ribs lock hands behind your back. Stretches the shoulders pretty good.

HTH

Computers will do that to ya now and then. I just had a really sore neck from doing some long driving last weekend.
Put a cup or two of Epsom salts in a nice hot bath and soak for awhile, then put a cold compress on your neck. I have one of those compresses that you can either freeze or throw in the microwave to heat.... about a foot long rectangle.
Pop an alleve and you should be okay.
My MIL swears by Mineral Ice. She's 84 and pretty much slathers that all over her aching body, lol... you can try that. Oh the other thing I've done is those patches you can get at the drug store, they feel good.
Just pamper yourself a little and the stiffness will go away.
You probably need to do some stretches and neck rolls.... those help also.

I use the Thermacare neck and shoulder heat wraps! They're awesome! =)

Since you work on a computer all day chances are you may be hunched over. Strength training the lats, trapezius, and erector spinae would help. Simple exercises include resistance band rows and weighted shoulder shrugs. Strengthening these muscles will help resist the urge to slump forward and always have your neck/shoulder in a constant tonus state.

1. Take Motrin

2. Take a towel wet it, put it in the microwave and get it nice and hot, wrap that towel in a dry towel and drape it around your neck and shoulders

3. Then stretch and bend your neck, roll your sholders.

What caused this? Do you shrug your sholders while on the computer?
Did you sleep funny, too many pillows?

I would figure out if you can how this happened and correct the issue, bad pillow, get rid of it. Bad posture while working, try to use correct posture. Etc.

Have you tried different positions for your work station? You can read online about how to make your work area more ergonomic... changing the height of your computer monitor, making sure your arms are in the right position, your chair, taking a few minutes every so often to get up and stretch... I would try to prevent some of that pain you're having or it may just continue to get worse and you end up with long-term issues. Here's a good place to start: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/inde...

Hi Lucky :-)

I have a few suggestions: Soaking in a hot tub is good, with epsom salts. Sitting at home most of the day in front of the computer will cause this kind of reaction, so a suggestion is to be sure to get up from your computer at least every 15 minutes and walk around the room, look out the window or somewhere you can cause the eyes to focus at a distance, drink some water to remain hydrated as the body and brain use LOTS of energy while on the computer and water to conduct that energy so you can become easily dehydrated.

I also offer a FREE energy medicine technique called CORTICES. It is a self empowering technique to assist your brain to reestablish communication between the left and right sides so that it can become more alert and aware. When the brain is in this stable balanced state, it can then scan the body to see where other imbalances are and assist those areas to correct themselves and restore balance.

You can find this simple 30 second technique on my website. Find the tab that says Dr. John Veltheim teaches CORTICES and watch the video. The first video teaches you about the CORTICES technique and how our brains react to stress, and the second video teaches you how to do the technique.

Check in with yourself BEFORE you view the videos and do the technique to see how you feel, over all... then watch the video and do the technique and then check in again. Most people notice an immediate sense of relaxation and calm, and it is in THIS energy, that the brain is able to self repair.

I also love to put some rice into my husband's sock, put that into the microwave for a short blast, and then place this soft warm compress around the back of my neck, while I'm working on the computer.. feels good!

hugs
A. F., R.N.
www.amyfreundbodytalk.com

Check out "tapping" on YouTube. It looks weird and sounds like it wouldn't work, but it actually does work. I tried it for a knee injury and was amazed that the pain just stopped.

Also, I try to do a simple 20-min. routine that pretty much keeps my body limber and pain free. It is called Chi Lel. I learned it about 2 years ago from a teacher who lives in Haslet, Texas. She traveled to China to learn it several years back. It did help her fibromyalgia. Once you learn it - - you are supposed to pass it on. Her name is Barbara. Her email is ____@____.com

Third, you might check out a book from the libray on the "Alexander Technique." It was begun by a stage performer from Australia who lost his voice after each performance. He studied his posture in the mirror and noticed when he was trying to project his voice his jaw jutted forward. He worked on correcting his posture - - stacking his head on his neck, his neck on his shoulders, etc. - - and he began to study how people plop into chairs or use weird muscles to stand up out of chairs. He developed this "technique" for helping people correctly use their muscles to do everyday things.

Sombra...I get it from my chiro...not expensive either...I love it.

Yoga works best for my sore neck and shoulders!

midol and hot epsom salt baths. yes midol when your not cycling :) if it continues go to the chiropractor.

I take some Midol (muscle relaxant), put a heating pad on my shoulder(s) and sometimes I take one of those air activated heat packs and hold it on the sore spot on my neck with a wide headband. Wet heat seems to be more help (dampen a washcloth and put it on your shoulder under the heating pad). Sometimes rubbing on some Aspercream or other liniment can help, but the minty/menthol smelling ones can smell a bit over powering sometimes.
If you start to feel tense after sitting at the computer, take a good look at your desk/chair/monitor/keyboard positions and see if you can adjust to a more ergonomic arrangement (raise or lower your seat, change the height/angle of your monitor, etc). Get up and take a break every few hours to stretch out.

Do you go to the chiropractor? That might help. I got a massage yesterday for the same thing and the therapist gave me this stuff called "Mustard Bath". Sounds gross, I know. It works like Epsom salts except it's also a detox. I did it after the massage yesterday (she worked only on my neck and shoulders for an hour) and I didn't really notice anything at the time, but I feel good this morning. It turns the water dark yellow though, so very weird! She got it at Natural Grocers. Not sure if they have those in Dallas, but maybe try Whole Foods or something.

Stop and stretch frequently - stretch your arms, back neck . . . try to do this for just a couple minutes each hour. Also, good for your eyes to look off from the screen every so often and focus on an object further away. The stretching will help and I love to use Biofreeze any time I have a sore muscle area. Not sure where to get it as I buy it from a massage therapist. Good Luck!!