Ask questions via twitter! Message any question to @answers on twitter. We'll publish the question and send you a reply each time there's a new answer.

Warning About Health Questions


 

Mahalo Answers is a great place to start your research into Health questions, but it's not the final answer.

Mahalo Answers is not a substitute for informed professional advice. If you desire or require professional advice, please consult a qualified provider who is licensed in your state or country. You should always seek independent professional advice before acting on any opinion, advice, or information available on Mahalo Answers.

 
 


Next Question

Answered Question

gno gno
 
M$3.50 November 06, 2009 02:27 PM

How can I soothe a wrenched upper back/shoulder muscle?

In the course of sleeping on a torturous mattress and wrestling with a 2 year-old, I injured my left upper back/shoulder muscle that runs down my back to the bottom of my shoulder blade.

It feels swollen and is definitely sore to the touch, I can't hold my head up straight, and turning my head is very painful. As I walk around all day, it only gets worse and worse. The only mild and temporary relief I get is from lying down on a flat surface so I don't have to hold up my head anymore.

Heat and massage don't seem to be doing anything to help, and I'm afraid that I just keep irritating it more and more. Any ideas on how I can help the situation?
Interesting Question?  Yes (2)   No (0)   

Interesting: lesliec M$1.00, bunnyphuphu M$0.50

RSS
 
 

Best Answer  Chosen by Asker

bunnyphuph... bunnyphuph...
 
 November 06, 2009 02:55 PM
When it feels as you said "swollen" and "sore", I would apply a cold pack and not heat.

You even said that heat was not working.

Only when that black and blue swollen feeling subsides, you should then hop into a hot bath with epsom salts.

You probably tweaked your upper trap muscles and possibly your levator muscle which attaches to your interior top scapula and weaves its way up your neck, hooking onto the skull just behind the ear. When this muscle is bothered and/or pulled, it makes turning your head anguish!

I wouldn't recommend massage unless it was done softly by someone who knows what they're doing.
(wish I was there!)

Get one of those gel cold packs. They don't get as cold at putting a bag of ice next to your skin!

Here is a great investment. A cold and hot pack for the shoulder area.
http://www.painreliever.com/elastogel_CC102.html
(or you can always make your own)

Feel better soon Sweetie!

Asker's Rating:
• Feeling better already. Thanks!


Tags: upper, injury, neck, trap

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: gno

Tip bunnyphuphu for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
gno gno
 
November 06, 2009 04:42 PM
I wish you were here too! Maybe I'll have to get the hubby to pick one of those cold packs tonight. Thanks!

Report
 
 

Other Answers (7)

Sort By
tchachra tchachra
 
November 06, 2009 02:37 PM
My wife has been going through this exact trauma for a while and nothing seems to help. However there is one item that she has been using, along with a heating pad at night, that does provide some relief during the day time hours. It is a odorless moist-heat pad that provides her with soothing relief while she is in the office and at home.

Thermacare: http://www.thermacare.com

However if you do not prefer medicated type pads then maybe you can try some home exercise to relieve the pain and stress on that portion of your shoulder. Video attached.

Source(s):
Personal Experience


Helpful Answer?  (2)   (0)   

Helpful: opher, gno

Tip tchachra for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
ritzy ritzy
 
November 06, 2009 06:40 PM
I dont want to profess to know this for certain, but I suffered the same pain having slept awkwardly and it transpired I had trapped a nerve in my neck, the pain in the shoulder muscle was actually related pain from the nerve.

Why dont you see your doctor or a chiropracter or physio just to be sure?
Source(s):
Personal experience


Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip ritzy for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
gno gno
 
November 06, 2009 07:02 PM
Seeing a doctor is actually very, very good advice. But I'm stubborn and foolish, and really don't have the patience to deal with a doctors office right now, you know? It's always ironic that when I most need a doctors office, that's when I can least put up with their bull. ;)

Report
 
 
pellrider pellrider
 
November 06, 2009 06:51 PM
When I got a similar problem my doctor suggested to use a cold pack. I placed some ice cubes in a sock and used it. She prescribed some muscle relaxants too. But they will make you sleep.
Using cold pack and some pain killers will help you. From experience, I think, it will take at least a couple of days to cure.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip pellrider for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
annelisle annelisle
 
November 06, 2009 11:10 PM
Try using Greaseless BENGAY Pain Relieving Cream. It contains methyl salicylate 15% and menthol 10%. This formulation is non-greasy and offers fast pain relief for minor aches and pains.

source: http://arthritis.about.com/od/topicalcounterirritants/a/BENGAY.htm

Another alternative is using Sunshine Spa Muscle Comfort Therapeutic Bath & Body Oil. It contains arnica and the essential oils of clove, eucalyptus, and peppermint that provide relief for sore muscles.

source: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_4_33/ai_100732325/
Source(s):
http://arthritis.about.com/od/topicalcounterirritants/a/BENGAY.htm


Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip annelisle for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
bobtwist bobtwist
 
November 07, 2009 02:16 AM
Check out a YOGAmazing podcast,there are 200 of them on iTunes,maybe one can help you out.Hope you feel better soon!


Helpful Answer?  (0)   (1)   

Unhelpful: dotchilatham

Tip bobtwist for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
mandyk2990... mandyk2990...
 
November 07, 2009 05:29 AM
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. You may be applying too much heat ant pressure to it. Using a heat patch that sends a soothing heat to it all day may help you more, also use creams and ointments such as Biofreeze or icyhot and if you need to take medication, over the counter pain reliever should do. It will probably take a few days, for the discomfort to subside, just like when you work out too hard in the gym. Take it easy and if nothing else works, see your doctor if you notice any swelling or lack of movement.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip mandyk29902 for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
antjecobbe... antjecobbe...
 
November 07, 2009 12:10 PM
I use organic cayenne powder mixed with oil or vodka. It´s a good idea to apply it with some cloth or cotton. Cayenne gives a burning sensation, but does not do any damage to the skin. On the contrary, it ups blood circulation in that area and soothes away and heals muscle pains, sprains, even toothache. But be warned, it can get uncomfortably hot. It´s a "horse cure", but it works.

Tags: cayenne, vodka, muscle, pain, oil

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip antjecobbett for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
gno gno
 
November 08, 2009 11:32 PM
Interesting! Thanks for sharing this remedy!

Report
 
 

Answer this Question

How tips and payments work

This question has already been resolved. You may add an answer to it but you will not be eligible to win best answer or any associated tips.

Related Questions

View All Health Questions

Ask a Question


140 characters left
Top of Page
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal

Top Members

This Week All Time
  • buddawiggi
    buddawiggi
    2nd Degree Black Belt
    26334 Points
    M$768.49 Earned
  • kty2777
    kty2777
    Purple Belt
    4981 Points
    M$188.41 Earned
  • opher
    opher
    Purple Belt
    3508 Points
    M$146.67 Earned
   See All
 

Most Popular Tags

mahalo(1536)
twitter(938)
iphone(459)
music(450)
google(344)
food(303)
internet(297)
online(283)
beer(275)
money(258)
facebook(248)
apple(247)
movies(241)
aotd(235)
answers(216)
health(208)
video(200)
dog(200)
free(198)
windows(195)
   See All
 

Categories

Welcome New Members


 
 
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.

Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.

Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More

 
 

Please log in to use this function.

Answers Home | Ask a Question | Earn Points | How Tips Work | Widget