Pulled a muscle in my neck. Can I still ride?

Nik_B

I've had this problem for years, 2 or 3 times a year I'll turn my head and suddenly I've got a very painful stiff neck. It's the muscles from where your neck joins the top of your shoulder. Normally I'd avoid any excercise for a few days but since I'm coming home from the middle east and will be heading somewhere else on sunday I've only got a few days when I can ride.

My question is can I can dose up on Ibuprofin etc and ignore it...can I damage it more or is it just a bit of pain that can be worked through? I'm desperate to go to a trail centre for some fun before it's back to work.

I just want to get out and ride. :x

Cheers

Nick

The Northern Monkey

ibuprofin + paraceamol only mask pain. That means that -
1) yea you can ride
2) you might make it worse without knowing.

May sound a bit odd... but I've never taken pain killers for that very reason ^.
Coming from a rugby background, it was always better to let your body tell you when your ready.

Nik_B

I don't really know what exactly a 'pulled muscle' is. I understand if for example you injured your knee you would want to rest it because there is real damage but does this apply for a pulled or strained muscle?

At a stretch I could give it two days and see if it's ok on friday.

The Northern Monkey

A pulled muscle means that its been over strained.... stretched too far.

I find that light pulls can be worked out by some light stretching and a good warm up... just gotta work it out and loosen it up

Ditch Witch

I get that sometimes. I'd say it's OK to ride.

boneyjoe

I've had a similar problem, usually suffered on cold rides, when you turn your head to check for traffic and neck/shoulder totally seizes up. I find some pain killers and a good, long, deep-tissue massage usually do the trick. It takes a few days to go away totally, though riding doesn't seem to make it worse, but you do have to be careful with those neck turns. If its cold/windy, suggest you wear a neck-buff to keep the muscles warm. And if you lose all sensation from the neck down, then stop cycling immediately!

Nik_B

It's just bloody annoying. Think I'll stick to plan A. Give it at least 1 day and gentle stretching might have a go on thurs or fri at a push.

in other news...death can be fatal :shock: