I am not normally one to whine about pain, but does anyone know of a way besides a chiropractor to try to get rid of this pain in my neck/shoulder/arm? I don't think I have ever felt this uncomfortable, the pain is just shooting down my arm and making my fingers numb. I have tried an ice pack, but its just temporary as is with a hot washcloth. Geeze, I feel like a sissy right now.

it might be a pinched nerve

Doctor is your best bet

Or maybe warm moist heat

Thanks for the reply. Someone at work said to try a heating pad.

You need to keep icing it repeatedly, as much as possible for the next few days, do NOT give up ... ON and ON!!!

Get some soft ice packs (8~10 at a Sports Shoppes) and keep rotating them!!!

Put one at the small of your back simultaneously ...

Keep doing this incessantly!

Epsom salts bath w/ peppermint oil ...

ICE immediately after ...

Do you have some absorbine jr., icey hot, etc. ...

Take some ibuprofen or regular aspirin for inflammation (eat something w/ for your tummy!) ...

Can anyone massage you?

Get off the computer and relax ...

Sorry, Mom ...

NO! ... Heat contraindicated UNLESS in rotation w/ icing ...

Heat will inflame it further!!!

Ice, ice, ice ... soft packs!!!

I did the same thing one time. I sat in warm bath water and put ben gay and heating pad.

The ice seems to help when its on there all the time. The worst part is the pain shooting down my arm, its really uncomfortable. My neck is stiff and sore, but my arm is the worst part.

Looks like I'll be hitting the drug store in the morning.

Thanks everyone for the help! I appreciate it, then I can stop whining.

I have chronic nerve pain due to a bulging disc. A pinch nerve wont heal itself. Treatment may involve traction, ultrasound heat therapy, excercises specific to the area. Best of luck to you, its no fun

First, see a doctor if the problem persists. Here are some tips until you get there:

Massage is very effective and muscle relaxers are very helpful. I use Excedrin Back and Body for pain and tightness.

It's best to alternate hot (moist heat) and cold. I would recommend doing some physical therapy.

Bend your head (ear) to your left shoulder and hold (breathing) for count of 5, then center your head, count of 5, then bend your head (ear) to your right shoulder, count of 5. Repeat 10 times

Then, Bend your head (ear) to your left shoulder and slowly roll your head in a half circular motion (chin to chest) ending with head (ear) to your right shoulder. Repeat 10 times. Do this very slowly so you can feel the muscles tighten... but gently.

Then turn your head as far right as possible, hold for count of 5, then slowly turn half circle toward left as far as it will go, hold for count of 5.... always breathing (need oxygen in muscles). Repeat up to 10 times.

These are the exercises I did for physical therapy. I use them often when my neck acts up. It keeps things limbered up and helps circulate oxygen and blood through sore muscles. Then apply heat rub afterward. Be careful how you sleep at night... the position of your neck while sleeping can make a big difference with a tight neck problem.

Good luck to you. Don't wait too long with a pinched nerve, as you could suffer permanent nerve damage. I did in my lower back and now the entire outer side of my left leg is numb. The feeling did not return after surgery as my doc and I had hoped it would within 3 years after my surgery... in 2003.

Thanks everyone for the kind words and all the help. Without health insurance, I am trying to see if I can get it to calm down for now. I have never had trouble like this in the past. I have been doing alot of heavy lifting at work, I am hoping that is all I did to make this happen.

I'm going to ask you to listen to me, the advice I gave above ...

Have worked in this field almost 30 years and in every vein of it ...

Plus, have sustained serious, similar injuries...

ESP ~ W/out insurance ... your best bet is to listen, follow, yeah ...

I sent you an email.

Got it ... one on way back to you!

The exercises do help! I can feel the muscle stretching, it hurts, but it does help. Thanks!

Ouch! That sure sounds like it hurts! You are correct, its no fun at all. Best of luck to you as well.

You CAN get frostbite from too much icing. It's not a joke and I've seen it happen.

If your fingers stay numb and the symptoms persist or get worse, you have no choice but to get medical care. It's not something to mess around with. I will not offer medical advice in such an acute situation, especially with your report of numbness, except to say at least call your doctor and get some medical advice. Nerve injuries in the neck are not something to mess around with. If very severe, they can lead to paralysis or nerve damage in a short amount of time.

Maybe there's a clinic somewhere that will see you for a cheaper rate.

IF you use soft gel packs wrapped in cloths, there is no risk of frostbite, it does not sustain such a temperature.

I agree medical care is optimal and indicated.

She states she cannot get medical care ...

She has to do something for prophylacticly in the meantime, reducing inflammation is KEY ...

We must often be our own physicians, and docs OFTEN get it wrong on this anyway ...

Thanks for the reply, I am going to nurse it for a few days here, and if it's not better I'll have to find out what clinics are close by. Can't have anything permanent happen, especially with an almost 80lb child who doesn't walk independently yet!

Exactly.....that's why I am concerned for you. I had it happen to my back a few months ago, and it was no picnic. Fortunately I can get and give myself treatment right where I work. I can't risk my license giving you information as you are in such acute stages of this but the numbness is very concerning. Hopefully a few of the things you are doing will help and it will ease up on it's own so you don't have to pay out of pocket. Just don't let it go on too long ok? I'm treating a guy right now who waited too long and he's got some permanent life altering problems because of it. That's rare of course, but you have a child that needs special care for a long time to come. Got to take care of you too my dear!