A headcache

[DrFaroohk]

So I've developed this godawful pain from work. It starts (or ends) on the left side of my head, right about where my temple is or so, and then heads backwards, down the side of my neck, and down my shoulder into my little rotator cup thingie.


So I'm not a doctor and my grasp of anatomy sucks. So I may have just gotten those names wrong. But still, it hurts. Very badly. I'm taking advil, just barely touching it.

I wonder...is it the headache causing the neck/shoulder pain, or vice-versa?

[Nyoibo]

Common pain referral pattern from muscles in the should are what you describe, upper trapezius or the posterior neck muscles are the most likely causes.

[Boozy]

I've had that exact kind of headache in the past, and here's what I eventually discovered:

The muscle tension is causing the headache.

If you can afford it, go see a massage therapist. If not, have a really hot bath and get your wife to find the knot and work it out.

You can prevent it with back exercises. Lie flat on your back and put your knees together, legs bent. Roll your legs from side to side. That will stretch some tension out from between your shoulder blades.

Neck rolls can sometimes be helpful, too.

[DrFaroohk]

Well, I'm left handed, and a large part of my job involves scooping ice into plastic bags and tying them off. I scoop with my left hand, and my left hand is what tightens the knot on the bag....I know it doesn't sound like much, but when you do it 1500 times a day or so...ow.

I desperately want a massage, but I'm hesitant. I don't want the "get naked and have oils rubbed all over me" massage. i want the "sit in the forward-facing-chair fully clothed" massage. But I had one of those at the airport once and it really just hurt. It felt like the lady kept juuuuust missing the good spots, and then she'd be grinding into bone for a while.

[crashhelmet]

Allow me to preface this by saying I'm not a physical therapist or practitioner of sports medicine of any kind...

However, I've been hurt enough and broken enough bones to grant me the knowledge and experience to be able to deal with a lot of issue son my own now.

With that said, there are five things to factor in here...

Heat
If you don't have one, go out and get one of those shower heads with the adjustable streams on it. They can give you a decent massage. Otherwise, just let the hot water beat on your neck and shoulders for a while. Roll your head back and forth from side to side, spending at least 30 seconds in each position. Then cross one arm over the body, as if you're trying to grab the opposite shoulder. Use the other arm to pull the arm further by applying pressure at the elbow. Once again, each arm for at least 30 seconds.

If it's not time for a shower, use a heat pack. Drape it over your neck and shoulders for about 20 minutes, adjusting it as you do the stretches.

Massage
In a case like this, a simple neck rub is better than nothing. It doesn't have to be deep tissue, just enough to help work the knot out. The knot doesn't have to be worked out in a single session either. Don't expect this to heal in a day.

I know you said you don't want oils, but they can be beneficial. As a lubricant, it can help prevent bruising from the pressure. Doesn't take much to bruise. Some oils/creams can also add extra heat to the sore spot to help the musclesrelax.

Stretch
Same stretches recommended for with heat applied, just to be done after the massage. I'd recommend doing the exercise Boozy mentioned as well. It will help loosen up the back muscles and relieve additional discomfort.

Ice
Get an ice pack and drape it over your neck and shoulder. Don't use the ice pack for more than 20 minutes. At that point, you could end up doing more harm than good. Wait an hour or so before you ice it again if it's still bothering you.

Ibuprofen
An anti-inflammatory to help the swelling in addition to the ice. Take as directed.

CH

[DrFaroohk]

You are my new hero.

[Nyoibo]

I would suggest trigger point therapy as the most likely to have a quick and lasting effect, if you can find a therapist that does it it should be good for you it can be done clothed and for that area can be done sitting, it will hurt though, however it should help stop the pain in that session.

That being my recomendation as a massage therapist.

[Amanita]

As a painfully modest type here, I was discouraged for years from going for a massage by the whole "have to get naked" thing. But I found a great massage therapist who is okay with patients keeping their underwear on. Also, you are fully covered by a sheet, except the parts being worked on. Generally, a good massage therapist will be respectful of your modesty and comfort levels. (Although bras generally need to come off- those are harder to work around)

[Nyoibo]

Quick thing, no massage therapist should ever be asking you to get naked, even doing full body massages no client should have less than their underware on unless they want to and both the client and practitioner are comfortable with it, bras are an easy work around, when you get to the back you just ask then to undo the strap.

[DrFaroohk]

Well by "naked" i just mean the freaky kind of massage where you're face down on a table, shirt off, maybe pants too, towel over your butt, candles, incense, exotic oils being rubbed all over you, and you're not quite sure if you're getting a massage or an orgy.

[Nyoibo]

Trust me, you'd know the difference between a proper massage and a rub 'n' tug.

Don't know in the US, but in Australia there's a national standard to be a massage therapist, otherwise you're just a masseuse.

[Amanita]

Here in Canada too- there are such things as registered massage therapists, who are required to have a certain amount of training and certification.

The therapist I go to doesn't use incense during her treatments, and the oil she uses is non-scented. This makes sense because some of her patients are environmentally sensitive or have allergies. And you are covered with way more than a towel- she uses a whole sheet, sometimes two during the colder half of the year.