Hello from Tracy.

for a stiff neck... take a wet washcloth/dishtowel and wring it out so it is just damp. put it in a bowl and microwave it for 30sec-60sec. lay it on your neck AND shoulders [shoulder pain causes neck pain/stiffness] and cover it with a dry towel to keep in the heat. the moist heat will loosen and soothe the muscles.
...in fact, i'm about to do that right now!

I do really intense neckrolls (like I learned in dance when I was little) and something ALWAYS pops or cracks and I feel some relief.
Or you can just rent J for an hour ;)

Ali
Someone suggested a corn bag...you can do the same thing with rice and some flannel fabric...
Make a small tube...you decide the size...
Fill with rice and close.
Heat in the microwave for about 30 sec...don't do too much... and it's a heat pad.
Keep in the freezer and it's a cool pac.
In the mean time...one quick fix, I've used is put a wet small towel (hand towel or wash rag) in a ziplock bag and microwave for less than a minute...then wrap in another towel. It is a great quick heat pad (they did this for me when I was in the hospital for my back...don't heat it too long, because you'll burn yourself.)
Hope you feel better....advil PM is also good....FYI.
Kaylea

Hey Ali! Sorry you're under the weather. I've had a stiff neck for years following a car accident, and my old stand-by is one of those flax seed-filled neck wraps that you can stick in the microwave. You can get them at lots of different places or even make your own. I got mine from http://www.bannertherapy.com/ProductInfo.aspx?large-nelly-pack&number=90-140
That one is nice because it has some aroma-therapy stuff in it and it smells just great when you use it. Hope that helps!

one word for your neck = BIOFREEZE
i can't live w/out this stuff
www.biofreeze.com

I have some arthritis in my neck, probably from playing rugby in the day. :) So these are for serious neck pain: Chiropractor, Massage, Physical Therapy, Accupuncture...have you ever had Shiatsu? OMG, it is life-altering. I've only done it once but wow. Unlike regular massage where the practitioner applies pressure and friction, in Shiatsu they pull and stretch you. Amazing. Need to get me some of that. Also, one time I did, water massage. I can't think now what they call it...oh, that's right. Watsu. Also totally amazing. I think I need to do all of these and soon!

Ali, I am experienced in neck pain from a car accident, although maybe your neck is sore from the flu you have. Use a heat pack babe. Then when your muscles are nice and warm, turn your head slowly from one side to the other, holding for several seconds. This is a gentle neck stretch. HOpe it helps.

Chéri is learning the job of gardener & he loves it even if it's quite so hard to work by every weather out!
beautiful job!
{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr
http://www.myspace.com/scrapbookstar

i just want to say that i LOVE watching those badge numbers go up and up!(i think i am a little addicted to it. LOL.)

Don't put more pressure on yourself than you already have. A luscious garden only comes with a fulltime commitment to working in it or full time gardeners. Plant yourself some nice patio containers that will afford you some nice cuttings and something pretty to look at.

A little Tylenol and maybe a massage for your neck might do the trick for it. Probably slept on it wrong. Maybe as you move around today it'll loosen up.
I picked up a magazine at the airport last week: House and Garden. It's all about color combinations and might be an inspiration for your scrapping and/or dream outdoor space!
Sue

I like Trader Joe's Organic Echinacea Tea when I've got a cold. Let it steep so it's nice and strong, then add honey to taste and you'll feel better in no time. For general malaise I use peppermint tea, again with a little sweetener. I like plain white sugar in this one (nothing like a little risk!) and it really seems to help.
Sorry the weather is so yucky down here for you this weekend.

Ali- Try........ BIOFREEZE...........
Tracey Odachowski let me use some last night for sore neck and shoulders and knee and it worked in minutes!!!
http://www.biofreeze.com/
hope this helps.
hugs-Peg

Whew, all these remedies! You can tell there are some crafty ladies here with all the flannel warm packs :). Don't know if it'll help the stiff neck, but I emailed you my website before - I swear by Vimmunity for cold & flu - my last "bad" cold only lasted 4 days and was far milder than they typically are. You take it as soon as you start to feel sick and it gives you a serious immune system boost. I can't even tell you how much I love this stuff. Email me if you want the link again.

This is from a family of nurses who also believe in vitamins:)
Take 1-2 liquid calcium capsules 2x a day for pulled muscles etc. Unless you have a heart problem or kidney stones this should not hurt you and will help your bones. You can get them at grocery stores, Target, etc for about $10 a bottle. The best stuff ever.
Cheryl BSN, RN and EMT

Oh, no - no being under the weather and no being sick...IRW convention coming up! :)
Sore neck: My day job is sitting at a computer doing medical transcription. The one thing that really helps my neck pain is a good neck massage with Icy Hot. You'll STINK, but you will feel better ;)

oh no ali~ i had no idea u had a sore neck??!!
would have never known.
your classes were awesome & u are an extremely inspiring person.
everything i have read about u (all good, lol), how genuine u are, giving of yourself, etc...
all true & so much more!
so very kewl to have met u this past weekend.
hope you're feeling better now that your home.
keep rockin' it girl!
maryjo

Stiff neck..
I have a few suggestions, first use a heat pack.. have Chris massage your jaw line at the pressure point IN the outer region of your ears.. use the thumbs to apply gentle pressure to the spinal column (where it meets the bottom of the head, holding the head move it left and right.. rub down the entire jawline and back up then back to the spine all the way down the lower back.. a little gentle pressure and rubbing could help.. heat works wonders at relaxing the muscles too..
good luck.. and thanks for the reminder about having gratitude.. I needed it more than I thought..
:)

Ali -
Regarding what to do about the neck. I'm an expert and have tried many fixes. I think you might have "stress neck" with all that you've been up to lately. The best remedy for this is to get one of those reusable hot/cold packs at the drugstore. Get the biggest/longest one you can find. Head in the micro. and apply to neck, Repeat several times a day. Ahh. Really does help with that awful stiffness. And have your husband help get the kinks out.

Ali,
I just posted a picture and blogged about the Outdoor Living magazine from Martha Stewart! We can dream, can't we...especially here in the Chicago area.
Also for a stiff neck...relax your head and pull you neck gently to each side and stretch it as long as you can...it will be sore, but the longer you stretch it, you can just feel it starting to relax. Hope it's better...

Hi Ali. For the stiff neck, heat is the best medicine. Try a heating pad or one of the Therma Care wraps suggested above. If you can, also wear a scarf to keep the area warm during the day.

Hey Ali,
Sorry you're having neck pain. We need you to feel better soon so you can keep doing your awesome work. You are such an inspiration to me! A chiropractic adjustment will make you feel so much better. A chiropractor specializes in the spine and will check the bones of your spine in your neck and make sure they are aligned properly. Each segment of your spine is like a joint (knee/elbow for example) so when they are not functioning correctly and possibly out of alignment, they can cause muscle tension, pain, decreased movement, swelling. A chiropractor fixes the main source of the illness so you're less likely to have the issue reoccur. If you use Tylenol, heat, ice, & massage, it will probably help to feel better over time but you may not be fixing the underlying problem. Most chiropractors don't charge very much and it may be covered under your health insurance. I'm sure there are a lot of good Chiropractors in your area as Oregon has one of the hardest state Board Exams to pass. Hope you feel better soon.
-Dr. Sarah Ford, DC

Hope your neck is feeling better. If not, I learned something from my pediatrician and now I tell all my patients about it... Take a long bath towel and fold it length-wise so it would cover your neck. Then wrap it around and secure it with a *giant* safety pin. Wear it while you're in the house... sleeping, watching tv, creating, whatever. The towel provides a little bit of support and the heat from your own body is magnified which helps the muscles relax. All without medication! (I *hate* taking medication, so this is perfect for me!)

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