Neck Pain - spike please help!

I woke up yesterday morning with an incredibly stiff neck which I assume is from sleeping in a funny position. When I turn my head to the right there is a certain position that seems to pinch a nerve and it sends shooting pain down my spine. It has happened before and it usually goes away once I have done some head rotations and "clicked" my neck back in place. This time I can't seem to "click" my neck and the pain still persists two days later. What is this pain from, is it a pinched nerve, slipped disk? Will I have to see a chiro?
Spike, your input will be much appreciated.

Hey bud, no prob. It doesnt sound like much to worry about. More than likely a poor sleeping position has triggered some muscle spasm and what is termed a facet syndrome. What this means is that the facet joints (which are the joints of the spine that control movement and sit bilaterally behind the more commonly known disc) are inflamed and immobile from prolonged irritation. The sharp pain you feel when moving the neck is NOT a pinched nerve or any other neurological phenomenon, but rather these facet joints impinging on each other in their state of immobility and sensitivity. The reason the click normally helps is becaused it is a mobilisation of these joints. You may find that the immobility is a bit more severe today than usual and so you are unable to direct the approipriate force thru the joint. A chiro would definately be able to assist you and once a manipulation is performed (AFTER ALL APPROPRIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS- the neck is a sensitive area) you should feel instant relief. The muscles surrounding the area should also recieve some sort of attention.

Please be careful WHO you go to, chiropractors are the only profession QUALIFIED to perform manipulation. We learn the techniques and risk associated through 6 years of studying. Many other GP's and Physios perform manipulation, but they use inaccurate techniques and generally have done at most a 3 week crash course. This is often where spinal manipulation gets a bad name.

Where abouts are you situated and i can help you out with a guy in your area.

Thats crazy it happened to my fiance 2 days ago , She was nearly in tears it was so bad. I slightly rubbed her neck but didn't want to hurt her to much, I advised she put ice on it and then later that day I rubbed it again. I told her to try loosen her whole body and try do normal movements it seemed to have gone away by that evening.

But yes, I this might be bad advice and the wrong way to handle it so definitely wait for spikes professional advice

Mr pump, its scary how much pain an acute facet syndrome can cause, and it is also so sudden in onset, but it really is a very easy issue to treat and it tends to respond as quickly as it came on. People feel alot of trepidation and fear the worst when something affects their neck, especially a sudden pain like that, but I can assure you it is most commonly a simple inflammation of the facet joints. Of course any chiro should do an assessment first to ensure the dcorrect diagnosis, but that goes without saying.

Hey Spike, this happens to me at LEAST once a month - freakin painfull and cant rotate my head. It goes away after about 2 days, slightly relieved after 1.

Is there ANY way i can relieve the pain, even the slightest by myself or with my wife helping?
Its not always possible for me to go see the Chiro.

The best i can suggest is massage of the surounding muscles, then a certain exercice technique where you use your hand for resistance and push your head and neck in each direction. flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. Do not move the head, simply try these movements but maintain resistance with your hand so that no movement occurs. Some simple stretching will also help

Spike, you're a legend. Thanks so much for the advise. If you can help me locate a good chiro that would be great, I'm situated in Joburg northern suburbs.

Read my thread under general, thanks to spike. I have named the guy I go to.. He is brilliant, he knows I'm on gear, he sends me stuff in mail after our session for me to better understand what we have spoken about, etc.

Thanks Pump! Got the guys name off your thread.