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Hey fellas, this is gonna sound really stupid, and I'm even laughing at myself a bit, but...yesterday at the gym I sneezed in the middle of doing a lat pulldown. It obviously threw my form off...I'm usually very careful about posture and form lifting weights to avoid just such an issue. By the end of my workout, I had a definite pinching sensation in the right side of my neck. I suspect I pulled a muscle or possibly pulled my neck out of place in doing so, but I'm no physical therapist or movement studies whiz.

All I know for sure is by last night I didn't have much range of motion in my neck, and I about saw stars when I tried to get out of bed this morning. What gives, and what can I do to fix it?

Not much you can do about it on your own outside of rest, I'm afraid. Find a massage therapist and get him or her to help you.

I would actually suggest a chiropractor. They're all about the neck and back.

HEY ZDREW : I hope you don't have what is called cervical spinal stenosis - The only way to confirm this(and save yourself a lot of pointless appoinments with physio-chiro) is to have a cervical MRI completed. This scan will identify if you have stenosis - and neuro-surgeons are the dudes you want a consultation with.

Take Care and pace yourself.

UncleverName saidI would actually suggest a chiropractor. They're all about the neck and back.

Well, call me biased because I'm an LMT and I have chiropractors sending patients to me to help them speed their recovery. I don't knock what chiros can do since I see one, but don't let them know that you only think their good for the neck and back. If there's a joint out of place, they can adjust it.

Hopefully, you won't need to go the MRI route, zdrew, but you'll never know until you get someone skilled to check you out.

LOL I don't think chiros are only good for the back and neck. They are all about the back tho, first and foremost. They have lots of skills and knowledge. My own experience has been to go to a chiro first for neck problems, then to a registered massage therapist next, if I think they'll help and I can still afford it.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. The issue seems to be slowly resolving itself, so I'm hoping I'll be back in the gym soon.

z

Rest, rest, rest.

It doesn't hurt to start smelling like an old person. Have someone massage Bengay (or similar) to affected areas. NSAIDS helps too.

No exercises for the back, shoulders and traps for the time being. When you do resume upper body exercises at the gym, start with lower weights.

Sounds like you have a mild case, so expect the pain/stiffness to subside in 3-4 days. But I suggest resting for a couple more days after that before you resume regular regime.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor.

Glad to hear that it's getting better.

I'd still suggest going to see a chiropractor. Most people go to see one when they're in pain, when seeing one before you're in pain can make it so that you never have to go through the pain.