Strained neck

L

LtPiper

Taking cover
Okay I slept in a weird position the other night and my neck is killing me now! I've tried myoflex, Aspirin, and heated massage and none of that has helped.

Any suggestions on something that would work maybe as a muscle relaxer topical or ingested to get this kink outta my neck?
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
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Unfortunately, my all time favorite muscle relaxing herb tincture isn't available commercially, and can't be made "overnight". It's a tincture of peppermint and lemon balm, and for some reason, it's one of the best muscle relaxants I've ever used. Using the same herbs in a tea can be "relaxing" (emotionally) but doesn't work the same as the tincture at all.

You might find that Valerian herb will help... you can find that at most herb stores or health food stores. It smells and tastes nasty, but it might be worth it.

Or, try doing "pressure point" or "trigger point" therapy on yourself (or get a friend to do it if you can).

Press on the sore/tight muscles until you find a VERY tender spot. It may -or may not- feel like a knot in the muscle. Hold firm, steady pressure directly on that spot... pressing as hard as you can stand... for 8-10 seconds. Release the pressure.

Repeat up and down the associated muscle groups until you've hit every "tender point" once. Don't go back to the same spots during one session... it's not an instant cure, and they'll be sore.

When you're done with the pressure therapy, stretch the muscles out as well as you can... drop your head forward onto your chest (or as far as you can), then tip it back to look at the ceiling. Then bend gently to each side.

You can do this once a day for a bit, and it will probably help. It's also REALLY useful for after an acute injury has mostly healed, because you always have small knots (usually from minor scarring from microtears in the muscles) that can cause problems with pain and stiffness for years.

Summerthyme
 
L

LtPiper

Taking cover
I tired to do the pressure point but I can't get to it very well. I see if I can find some of the Valerian. How would I use it?
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
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LT Piper... yeah, that's a problem trying to work on yourself! A book I have (Bonnie Prudden's "Pain Erasure") shows various ways to use 'objects" to get to the right spots on your own back and neck... but it's still not easy!

Valerian... try taking 1-2 capsules, and see how they work on you. You can take more, but they could be somewhat "too relaxing" for daily life. And everyone reacts differently.

A couple capsules plus a glass of wine or beer might help you get a good night's sleep.

I hope you find something that helps... that can be a bear to deal with. I've got the junior version right now, after pruning apple trees Saturday for about 4 hours straight... I tried to look up at the stars last night, and discovered I couldn't do it! LOL!

Summerthyme
 
L

LtPiper

Taking cover
Went to the herbal store on the way home and while looking for the Valerian ran across Lemon Balm tincture. Will that with peppermint oil work? If so what do I need to do.

Got the Valerian too.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
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Hmmm... it might. Worth a try, anyway. Rather than peppermint oil, though (that's REALLY strong.. if it's all you have, use ONE drop in a teaspoon of tincture, and put the combination into a glass of tea or lemonade or something), you might want to try just adding the tincture to some peppermint tea.

If it helps, great. If not, you can add the valerian without any worries.

And if the lemon balm/peppermint combo DOES help, you can make your own tincture with the dried leaves of peppermint you can often find as a "loose tea" in some stores.

Summerthyme
 
L

LtPiper

Taking cover
Oh boy that Lemon Balm I got must have been a concentrate. I took under half what you suggested to see what would happen. It worked and worked really well with a drop of the peppermint oil.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
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Good! Yes, everyone reacts differently. I make my own tinctures, so have a handle on how they work, but the commercial ones can be different.

Glad it helped!

Summerthyme
 
F

FREEBIRD

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Arnica gel, or even "mineral ice" (goes by different names) help mine, if I'm on the computer too long or "sleep funny" my neck gets all wonky.
 
SammiP

SammiP

Contributing Member
A few days ago my husband hurt his back (happens a few times a year, severely strained lower back muscles) and I had remembered this thread. Well, I have mint growing, now have lemon balm ordered and will be growing it as soon as it arrives. I bought two teas, one with peppermint as a main ingredient and the other with lemon balm as the main ingredient. With not much on hand for alcohol, I steeped a teabag of each for a few hours in some wine we had on hand. Well, 4 ounces of that every evening since - with one exception - and he's feeling a great deal better. This normally lays him up for a minimum of two weeks, he's pretty much back to normal now, just a bit stiff.

Normally he isn't much for trying herbal things but he was hurting enough to try it, didn't comment on whether it worked until the next morning when he got up moving nearly normally and asked if I could 'brew' some more of that 'stuff'. He skipped it one night and said he was indeed still feeling tight and stiff the next day, so will take it a couple more nights.

If this quick and dirty method works this well.... well, um, are there any other things I should be ordering for my new herb garden while he's still greatful? lol!

Sandi
 
Lynx

Lynx

Senior Member
summerthyme said:
Unfortunately, my all time favorite muscle relaxing herb tincture isn't available commercially, and can't be made "overnight". It's a tincture of peppermint and lemon balm, and for some reason, it's one of the best muscle relaxants I've ever used. Using the same herbs in a tea can be "relaxing" (emotionally) but doesn't work the same as the tincture at all.
Click to expand...

Summerthyme--

Your recommendation for a peppermint/lemon balm tincture has been kicking around in the back of my head for months, and now that I'm planning out this year's garden, I wonder if you could tell me more about how you make this. Is it made with fresh herbs, or dried? Taken internally, or rubbed on topically? Would you pretty please share the instructions for making it?
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
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Lynx... it's really easy to make. You can use either fresh herbs or dried. I usually use fresh, and essentially I just pack a gallon jug full of about half lemon balm tops and half peppermint tops. I fill the jar pretty full of the herbs, but don't pack them down hard.

Then I add enough 100 proof vodka to fill the jar, and push any herbs which are sticking out above the alcohol down under. Put a lid on it and stash it in a dark place for a month or so. (Actually, I usually make it in June when the herbs are lush and leafy, and before they bloom, and then leave it in the menstruum until fall when I have time to strain and bottle and label)

You can use dried herbs, but in that case, use 1 ounce of dried herbs (weight) to every 4 ounces (liquid measure) vodka.

It's an internal medicine. 1/2 to 1 teaspoon or so in a cup of tea will generally help mild spasms and let you keep working. (although, obviously, rest is an important part of healing sprains and strains!). A tablespoon at bedtime will relax you enough to sleep VERY well. Don't take it "straight"- dilute it in juice, or a relaxing herb tea (we like to add it to chamomile tea for bedtime)

Everyone reacts differently, so while it's not really a "sedating" combination, don't take it and drive or operate machinery until you're sure it doesn't affect your reflexes and reactions...

Summerthyme
 
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