Stiffness when wakening up?

[Calboy]

I wake up every morning with a stiff neck and lower back. Takes an hour or two before the neck loses the accompanying pain. I've been diagnosed with bulging disks in the neck. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do to alleviate the morning neck pain or experience in this area? Do cervical pillows actually help?

[Josephine66]

For pain and stiffness in the neck I haven't found anything better than ice. Get a gel ice pack and lay down with it under your neck. It is very uncomfortable at first but will really help with inflamation, thereby helping the pain and stiffness. Try to ice at least twice a day. I also use a memoryfoam pillow and like it but you will have to try it to see if it helps you.

[Calboy]

Thanks for your advice Josephine. I'll try the ice when it gets particularly bad. I've also used one of those collars with the massager and heat in it...that seems to help too!

[nero]

Word of caution re heat.. It feels great but ice pack no more than 12 -15 mins is better. The cold minimizes the size of the disc and then the muscles stop guarding your neck so tightly so it is not so stiff and they relent. The warmth feels great as pain relief but it doesn't get at the root of the problem which is the disc causing all the muscles to guard its insecure state.. I learned this through much advice from super chiro and I have to admit that seems the general word on the matter.

Also the ancient chinese civilization used to dip or soak patients with back problems in cold cold tubs of water to relieve back pain.. so there is a lot to be learned from the behaviour of others. If you have a pool and can stand it cool (no rhyme intended) then slip into that. Last year it was 64 degrees and I kept the heater off for my first morning dip just to get the actual benefit too.

Good luck... its all trial and error... nearly new again NERO

[Calboy]

That makes sense Nero. Thanks for the insight!