neck pain

[eyesore]

lately I ve been getting some neck pain [right side of neck ] and I think it may be from playing acoustic guitar...? but sometimes I get a little Vertigo with it ,not often. Does anyone else have this experience? It come and goes, might even be weather related too. Been so damp here .

[Godfather]

I have neck and shoulder pain that stems from old motocross injuries, but no vertigo. It only really bothers me when I play larger than 00 body and 14 fret guitars. I am now limited to 12 fret 00 or smaller body guitars but at least I have lots of options.

[neomastino]

Originally Posted by eyesore

lately I ve been getting some neck pain [right side of neck ] and I think it may be from playing acoustic guitar...? but sometimes I get a little Vertigo with it ,not often. Does anyone else have this experience? It come and goes, might even be weather related too. Been so damp here .

** Disclaimer - I am not a doctor, this is simply my current situation and may not remotely be your case **

I started getting some slight pain down the right side of my neck while playing guitar but was able to make it better with an Aleve. Moving my music stand up also helped as the pain was worse when i looked down for long periods of time. fast forward a few months and while the pain remained I also developed allergies and really had a hard time clearing my throat, so i went to an ENT and he took a look around my sinuses and throat and said he wanted me to get a CT scan of my cervical spine. the ct scan revealed bone spurs on 3 vertebrae and were/are actually pushing on my esophagus making it "out of round" I am now scheduled next week with appointments for neurosurgeons to remove the bone spurs. thankfully this surgery has a very high success rate and very low complications rate.
Again, this is probably not at all your situation, just my current reality. best of luck to you on getting better.
--mike

[Mbroady]

See a spinal specialist, especially if you are getting vertigo
I had a skying accident 40 years ago. Did not think much of it until, recently I started getting some neck and upper back tightness and discomfort (and some intermittent vertigo). After some physical therapy, which really helped, I had an MRI. The results show I have mild to moderate spinal Stenosis - loss of spinal fluid. No cure but exercise and proper posture has done wonders, and it will help me maintain what I have left - hopefully.

Check with a doc first but I have also been using a TENS machine that works wonders. I don’t put it directly on my neck but on my upper back. Not a cure but it has really helped with comfort. Probably going to use it for the rest of my life (I’m turning 60 this summer) I might opt for steroid shots at some future date (which there is not guaranteed it would help) but for now I’m ok.

Here’s what I got (FWIW I find that 3rd party pads last longer then what comes with…)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[imwjl]

For context, I'm in my 60s, have lost height and know stuff like this can come along with age. For way beyond guitar playing generally trying to remain nimble has helped. I've added yoga and stretch moves plus try to work at balance. Another big help is aiming for a minimum of 30 minutes exercising every day.

It is probably just mental, but the pushing to be active really helps deal with the pain and matters that won't go away.

[buddyhu]

Originally Posted by imwjl

For context, I'm in my 60s, have lost height and know stuff like this can come along with age. For way beyond guitar playing generally trying to remain nimble has helped. I've added yoga and stretch moves plus try to work at balance. Another big help is aiming for a minimum of 30 minutes exercising every day.

It is probably just mental, but the pushing to be active really helps deal with the pain and matters that won't go away.

When I worked for a multidisciplinary back pain treatment program, we all agreed that, “ Pain is rarely, if ever, 100% in the back, and it is rarely, if ever, 100% mental.” Living well is one of the best treatments for any kind of pain; and when I say “living well”, I mean having good relationships with friends and family and seeing them often, having both little daily pleasures and bigger projects and adventures that bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment, taking care of your body by eating well and exercising, having a sense of meaning and purpose, and adding anything else that promotes inner balance and wellbeing.

“Just mental” is not the best way to regard your beneficial efforts…it devalues your wise approach.

In response to OP. Always best to get a professional opinion anytime you experience something that produces lingering discomfort that doesn’t clearly seem the result of something you have done. I have known too many people that overlooked “an itchy spot” that turned out to be melanoma or other skin cancer, aches in the arms that preceded a heart attack, dizziness that related to hypertension, etc., etc.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by eyesore

lately I ve been getting some neck pain [right side of neck ] and I think it may be from playing acoustic guitar...? but sometimes I get a little Vertigo with it ,not often. Does anyone else have this experience? It come and goes, might even be weather related too. Been so damp here .

Hi, I have very transient vertigo quite frequently, along with other symptoms all attributed to radio therapy on my neck and jaw. My neck muscles are fibrotic, which means that sometimes a quick turn will "surprise my balance instincts as the muscles cramp or don't move as quickly as my eyes expect. I also get neck cramps, especially after staring at this screen for too long!

After endless inspections and tests, they've recommended some fairly basic neck exercises.

It might be that you are tensing your neck when you play, which is causing them to cramp slightly.

I recently did a short video on posture which might help you to reduce neck tension - see below.

I'd also suggest some basic neck stretching exercises.
I've found a couple which are similar :

https://youtu.be/br9DsBC7Gfs
https://youtu.be/Q12nIfVCpdU

Here's the posture thing :

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by buddyhu

When I worked for a multidisciplinary back pain treatment program, we all agreed that, “ Pain is rarely, if ever, 100% in the back, and it is rarely, if ever, 100% mental.” Living well is one of the best treatments for any kind of pain; and when I say “living well”, I mean having good relationships with friends and family and seeing them often, having both little daily pleasures and bigger projects and adventures that bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment, taking care of your body by eating well and exercising, having a sense of meaning and purpose, and adding anything else that promotes inner balance and wellbeing.

“Just mental” is not the best way to regard your beneficial efforts…it devalues your wise approach.

In response to OP. Always best to get a professional opinion anytime you experience something that produces lingering discomfort that doesn’t clearly seem the result of something you have done. I have known too many people that overlooked “an itchy spot” that turned out to be melanoma or other skin cancer, aches in the arms that preceded a heart attack, dizziness that related to hypertension, etc., etc.

Call it poor wording on my part. The sum total of what I've done for a long time now has helped with aging and mentally. My efforts to be disciplined with diet, activity and some demons have helped tremendously but there is a mental aspect.

The mental aspect I mean is working on attitude as well as activity. Together it has really helped with pain and stuff we can do subconsciously like control fight or flight response. It all helps being less fearful too. That helps manage pain and age - everything.

@buddyhu I know to watch an itchy spot to. One of mine was a malignant tumor.

[eyesore]

first off;neo I wish much luck with your procedure. let us know how it goes .these are all great suggestions. I was getting ready to retire this year but having second thoughts[a alot of friends passed this month!] so i get plenty of excercise in work! Not sitting around much. Chiropractor hasn't had any effect or improvement.Guess I'll make an appointment with the doc.and keep moving!

[Rolph]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

See a spinal specialist, especially if you are getting vertigo
I had a skying accident 40 years ago. Did not think much of it until, recently I started getting some neck and upper back tightness and discomfort (and some intermittent vertigo). After some physical therapy, which really helped, I had an MRI. The results show I have mild to moderate spinal Stenosis - loss of spinal fluid. No cure but exercise and proper posture has done wonders, and it will help me maintain what I have left - hopefully.

Check with a doc first but I have also been using a TENS machine that works wonders. I don’t put it directly on my neck but on my upper back. Not a cure but it has really helped with comfort. Probably going to use it for the rest of my life (I’m turning 60 this summer) I might opt for steroid shots at some future date (which there is not guaranteed it would help) but for now I’m ok.

Here’s what I got (FWIW I find that 3rd party pads last longer then what comes with…)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stenosis as it relates to the neck, is a closure of the intervertebral foramen, the hole that transmits a spinal nerve. Closure is often caused by buildup of calcium, bone spurs. Any means of extending the spine and strengthening the spinal extensor muscles, improves the closure. Hence one of the rationale for spinal traction or decompression/ Sleeping on a curved cervical pillow on the back is helpful, especially much earlier in life.

[Mbroady]

Originally Posted by Rolph

Stenosis as it relates to the neck, is a closure of the intervertebral foramen, the hole that transmits a spinal nerve. Closure is often caused by buildup of calcium, bone spurs. Any means of extending the spine and strengthening the spinal extensor muscles, improves the closure. Hence one of the rationale for spinal traction or decompression/ Sleeping on a curved cervical pillow on the back is helpful, especially much earlier in life.

Yep, have a cervical traction device and an inversion table.
Since beginning my exercise routine I don’t feel the need to use the traction device, but still make a point of using it at least once a day.

The inversion table is a joy.

[Jamolay]

I am a neurologist and vertigo can mean different things to different people. Some is benign but it can also be a sign of something more concerning.

It is best to go speak with a specialist and discuss what you are experiencing in person, get an exam and, if needed, studies like imaging or video nystagmography if appropriate.

[eyesore]

Originally Posted by Jamolay

I am a neurologist and vertigo can mean different things to different people. Some is benign but it can also be a sign of something more concerning.

It is best to go speak with a specialist and discuss what you are experiencing in person, get an exam and, if needed, studies like imaging or video nystagmography if appropriate.

Thank you Jamolay! I have had Vertigo for the last 15 years or so. I think it comes and goes. Lasts about 10 seconds till I turn my head in different directions then goes away. My doc gave me exercises years ago and they help;sometimes.

[TBman]

My wife has been getting an occasional pain in the neck (besides me ) and both of us get occasional light vertigo. We both take meds for high BP and we both have allergies.