My neck and shoulders are the worst areas of my body in regards to pain and muscle tension. So many others I’ve spoken with who have fibromyalgia say the same. What causes those particular pains? Is there something we can do to alleviate it?

One specific kind of neck pain associated with fibromyalgia is occipital neuralgia. It is excruciating pain that starts in the back of the neck and stretches up to the scalp. It can cause pain behind one eye as well as increased sensitivity to light.

Spine-health recommends consistent regular exercise to treat neck and shoulder pain. Starting slowly and increasing over time is best. A couple of exercise ideas are yoga and walking. Getting your blood pumping and doing something that improves flexibility and helps to improve strength is the goal. If you’re bedbound or want a gentle stretch before or after you sleep, I recommend “Yoga in Bed.”

Spine-health also recommends alternative therapies like chiropractic care, gentle massage, acupuncture, or acupressure.

Style Craze also suggests applying essential oils, apple cider vinegar, ice, or Epsom salt to the site of pain. Additionally, it recommends using a neck collar and taking supplemental vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and vitamin D.

Myotherapy is a great option if you’re interested in massage. Myotherapy uses a broader range of massage techniques than a typical therapeutic massage does. They focus primarily on trigger point therapy but might also use other techniques such as dry needling, musculoskeletal alignment, deep tissue massage, cupping, and muscle stretching in addition to a range of rehabilitative exercises.

Neck and shoulder pain can be super frustrating and something we should try to keep on top of. We should pay close attention to our posture and to the tension in our neck and shoulder muscles. The pillow we use can also affect the level of neck and shoulder pain we experience. Neck and shoulder pain can lead to headaches which then increases your overall muscle stress and tension, thus more pain.

Do you suffer from neck and shoulder pain? What do you do to help alleviate it, other than taking meds?

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Note: Fibromyalgia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Fibromyalgia News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to fibromyalgia.

Reference;https://fibromyalgianewstoday.com/2018/01/09/fibromyalgia-pain-neck-shoulders/