Neck Pain

Hi guys, I did a quick search and didn’t find anything related so hopefully this isn’t a question you are asked a lot. I have had range of motion issues in my neck for the past 5 years or so I associate with working on a farm and constantly cranking my head around running equipment and skid steers (no longer on the farm). It’s usually a non issue (just general stiffness, not painful) but a couple weeks ago something happened and now it’s painfull in any position, but particularly trying to move my head to look down and to the right. The pain starts at the base of my skull and travels somewhere near my scapula. My training is not affected by this, but obviously life is more than just training.

The stretching in that area I can do doesn’t seem to improve anything, so my question is if people with similar issues see good results with some sort of deep tissue massages. I really don’t know what else could help and I’m reluctant to go to a doctor and just get prescribed muscle relaxers (unless that would be your suggestion as well)

Thanks for your time if you choose to respond.

In general we tend to manage this similarly to low back pain; the prognosis is generally good with continued activity and time (as discussed in our LBP videos/content), although I certainly recognize that the symptoms can be frustrating / distracting while they are present. And while a massage may certainly feel good, we don’t have reason/evidence to believe it “fixes” anything either - so that decision is ultimately up to you.