No idea. You probably have a C6-7 problem of some sort, and if this approach keeps you out of the operating room, good. And your English is better than Meshuggah's.
Member
Stiff neck and power cleans
My neck has always been susceptible to becoming painfully stiff, the Levator Scapula (as far as i know and can feel) tighten up until i have a very limited rate of motion when turning my head from side to side. It is painful, it sucks and takes 7-10 days to clear up by itself.
However if i do power cleans, and do enough weight and reps to get a slight DOMS the next day, my neck will be completely good the next day.
Have you got any insight on why this works so well and why i need to get a slight DOMS for it to work?
I know you really don't approve of training just to achive DOMS, but it works for me and powercleans is the only exercise i ever do it with. My personal theory is that it is the same mechanism as pin firing, that the slight inflammation associated with DOMS clears up and takes care of the stiff neck as well since it is right next to the traps.
I apologize for any awkward grammar, English isn't my first language.
TMPHBITEU
No idea. You probably have a C6-7 problem of some sort, and if this approach keeps you out of the operating room, good. And your English is better than Meshuggah's.
Starting Strength Coach
Owned and boned.Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe
Starting Strength Coach
Everyone's English is better than Meshuggah's. Jens Kidman's English is better than Meshuggah's.
Member
If you have frequent neck problems, consider a better pillow as well.
8+ hours with your head cranked to the side can contribute to these things, IM(L)E
A scooped-shape latex/memory foam pillow may help.
Member
A good pillow is awesome, i used a tempur memory foam one for years, but to me it has been more of a comfort thing when it hurts than a way to avoid the neck knotting up. It will come regardless of what i sleep on. But very rarely compared to what it used to be.
Regular training has helped a lot, it is l lot more rare now. Plus the ability to initiate healing by power cleaning makes it a lot less stressful. Now i have control, versus having to wait 7-10 days for it to pass by itself.
TMPHBITEU
Have you tried a chiropractic adjustment? The right guy can be helpful, depending on the nature of the problem -- which an MRI may help determine.
Member
Thank you guys for lots of good advice! I really like having the opportunity to get input from people with good insight in this stuff.
I have tried it a couple of times, but not with an MRI at that exact time. I took an mri after a car crash i was involved in, that was what started this mess (the crash, not the MRI)
The chiropractor i have been to a couple of times recommended me to build more muscle around my neck, he said it would stabilize it and make it less prone to cause trouble.
TMPHBITEU
An excellent Chiropractor. Keep him around.
✓ Member
I'll second the pillow advice. I've had to use as many as 3 of them to accommodate getting my neck in a neutral position given the width of my back and shoulders. Having finally found a good thick cool foam pillow, I now use just one.
Also the developed neck muscles and your chiro's advice. The Old Man was in an accident that flipped his truck end over end several times. Although he was in a neck collar for months thereafter the attending doc said he would probably have been killed if his traps weren't so thick and strong. In his case, he never touched a barbell in his life, but he was an ironworker and lifted a lot of heavy iron shit.
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