Neck Pain

Back of the neck pain graduating up over my head. Reading or computer sets it off.

Any tips. My name is Joyce and I'm 76 I do have arthritis in my hips and hands.

I would suggest looking up some simple neck stretches and learning to sit straight with your shoulders rolled back and your ears just over your shoulders. Sitting at a computer or bending over to read a book can put strain on the neck muscles and cause them to spasm. The best position to rest your neck is to make a small neck roll by rolling up a small towel and putting it behind your neck when lying down. If you can warm up the towle too you might find this very soothing. 

If you find you are sitting most of the day then take as many breaks as you can to get up and go for sort walks. This increases your circulation and reduces inflammation. 

Hope that helps!

Regina

Dearest Joyce having just read an article in search of an answer for my own neck pain as well as just joining this site I felt this may have information that will help you . Please enter STERNOCLEISDOMASTOID MUSCLE DISORDER , also TRAPEZIUS DISORDER . I am hoping these will give you a direction. The body is so complex I have found going to see my physcian with no direction, only symptoms, to be pointless, I am sorry to say. Good Luck God Bless

Forgive me Joyce ,I neglected to finish my thought...enter these subjects in your search. A photo depicting the problem target areas associated with these muscles show the pain radiating from the neck to the top of the head, skull cap Wishing you well

Hello Joyce!  I have the same thing and agee it is very painful. It could be a pinched nerve in the shoulder. Acupuncture can help you with this perhaps but be sure its with a really qualified and certified acupuncurist. Try lying in bed and manually pushing your head from side to side gently and see if there are clicks. These might do the job and give some relief. But be sure you are lying down so the spine is straight. I hope you get relief soon. Mine often causes dizziness.