Neck/throat...

[Catrin]

I had a little adventure on the mountain bike Sunday, went down hard and fast - a bit of whiplash and wrenched my lower back. The oddest thing...and I am unsure what to think.

Sunday, yesterday, and most of today the back of my neck was stiff and sore...only to be expected, but yesterday was a little better and today even better. Tonight, however, the FRONT of my throat above my collar bone is sore to the touch, and I am especially aware of it when lying flat and rising. I assume this is from the "snapping" action when I fell, this would probably be the part that stretched the most and is likely swollen.

I've been taking ibuprofen and napraxon sodium (not at the same time), and ice the first day or so. Would heat be a good thing at this time for my throat? Thankfully my back has been better each day and I canceled my strength training session tonight just to be safe.

There isn't any numbness or shooting pain, not in neck or back...I just wasn't sure if heat would help my throat/neck on the third day or if ice is called for. That has always confused me... Thankfully it was a fun ride and the weather was great...I probably will stick to the road until I am sure that both neck and back are fine. Each day things are much better than the day before so I don't think there is any damage, just some bruising from the wrenching of both back and neck.

[Roadtrip]

Don't have advice but hope you feel better.

Shannon

[Owlie]

I had a little adventure on the mountain bike Sunday, went down hard and fast - a bit of whiplash and wrenched my lower back. The oddest thing...and I am unsure what to think.

Sunday, yesterday, and most of today the back of my neck was stiff and sore...only to be expected, but yesterday was a little better and today even better. Tonight, however, the FRONT of my throat above my collar bone is sore to the touch, and I am especially aware of it when lying flat and rising. I assume this is from the "snapping" action when I fell, this would probably be the part that stretched the most and is likely swollen.

I've been taking ibuprofen and napraxon sodium (not at the same time), and ice the first day or so. Would heat be a good thing at this time for my throat? Thankfully my back has been better each day and I canceled my strength training session tonight just to be safe.

There isn't any numbness or shooting pain, not in neck or back...I just wasn't sure if heat would help my throat/neck on the third day or if ice is called for. That has always confused me... Thankfully it was a fun ride and the weather was great...I probably will stick to the road until I am sure that both neck and back are fine. Each day things are much better than the day before so I don't think there is any damage, just some bruising from the wrenching of both back and neck.

My rule of thumb (hasn't caused me any lasting damage thus far! ) is for ice if it's hurts/is visibly swollen, and heat if it's a muscle-ache kind of pain.

Feel better!

[Catrin]

My rule of thumb (hasn't caused me any lasting damage thus far! ) is for ice if it's hurts/is visibly swollen, and heat if it's a muscle-ache kind of pain.

Feel better!

Sounds like a good rule of thumb, thanks! This comes from being so sedentary for most of my life, so I need to learn those things now There is so much conflicting information on the internet...

[Catrin]

Most of the swelling is gone, things have settled down to one of my stabilizer muscles at the front of my throat/neck, and on the back of my neck. I think I really strained those muscles. It almost feels like my collar bone...but I can feel the sore muscle with my fingers. I must have REALLY stretched those when I hyperextended my neck.

Was on the trainer today for about 10 minutes (testing one at the LBS) and my neck wasn't happy with me...so back to ibuprophen and being good, I really WANT to ride my bike tomorrow (my birthday)! It is going to be sunny and warm!

[pll]

Have you tried a massage? Years ago, I fell hard off the bike and strained my neck (nice hit on the head, broke the helmet) in such a way I could not lift my head when I was laying down... to get up, I had to roll on my side. Two 30-min massage sessions did wonders.

[Owlie]

Most of the swelling is gone, things have settled down to one of my stabilizer muscles at the front of my throat/neck, and on the back of my neck. I think I really strained those muscles. It almost feels like my collar bone...but I can feel the sore muscle with my fingers. I must have REALLY stretched those when I hyperextended my neck.

Was on the trainer today for about 10 minutes (testing one at the LBS) and my neck wasn't happy with me...so back to ibuprophen and being good, I really WANT to ride my bike tomorrow (my birthday)! It is going to be sunny and warm!

Happy early birthday! This is the third year in a row that I haven't been able to get out on my birthday since I had the bike. I owe myself a 24-mile ride one of these days...or maybe a 48-miler?

[Catrin]

I DID go for an easy, gentle 10 mile ride today but put off my official birthday ride for a week or two.