Neck Pain at 18 with 43 inches of THICK hair?? Solutions without cutting my hair????

[schallerjasmine]

Hi everyone,
A week ago I was doing Insanity, a beachbody workout program, that requires a lot of jumping, pushups and explosive movement when my neck got "injured". The night before I had put coconut oil in my hair because I was having to wash my hair every day because of my excessive sweating from workouts, while doing said workout with coconut oil in my hair (which makes my hair triple the weight) I jerked my neck for like 60 minutes. I did this three day in a row(I had coconut oil in my hair for 3 days to combat the dryness from shampooing my hair everyday) until I noticed it was causing my neck to be really sore. Instead of stopping I "pushed through" and for the last week my neck pain has gotten progressively worse.( I have not worked out at all this week due to the pain in my neck!) Now I am in excruciating pain.I really don't want to cut my hair at all. My hair has never bothered my hair until this moment! Does anyone have any solutions for problem. Would you recommend acupuncture, massage, salves, hairstyles, etc. I have found that when my hair is just down the pain alleviates but when its in braids or buns it hurts a lot worse! PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Thanks!!

[Anje]

Honestly, I think the problem likely has a lot more to do with jerking your neck a lot than it does with your hair. Necks tend to not like that sort of thing. But if you're putting huge amounts of coconut oil in your hair and you think that the added mass is aggravating the problem, reduce the oil.

[meteor]

Ouch! :( So sorry you are going through this. :grouphug: I'm not a kinesiologist, but I'd definitely make sure to stop all exercise that involves neck muscles like that for a while - until you heal... Make sure you sleep in good position to allow your neck muscles to relax. Once you are healed and ready to exercise again, I'd talk to the trainer and discuss in detail your form and any mistakes in form that could be possibly happening while you are exercising. Improper form can cause some serious injuries. :flower:
Also, "pushing through" that kind of pain is never a great idea - that specific kind of pain is typically indicative of something being wrong with the movement (you mentioned jerking neck) and form.

If oiling hair adds so much weight, I'd definitely avoid oiling it or working out with wet hair. If the bun is causing this, switch to a braid. If that's too heavy, switch to 2 braids to distribute the weight a bit more. Sectioning helps, so I'm all for sectioned braids or sectioned ponytails (http://layered-hairstyles.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sectioned-ponytail-2016-1-450x471.jpg) to distribute weight comfortably as much as possible.

[PixieP]

I'll second Anje on cutting down on the amunt of coconut oil.

Have you tried a crown braid or similar that distributed the weight of the hair more evenly around the whole head? Or you could try piling it loosely on top of your head and tie a turban over.

Also, never keep up a workout if you start hurting. Listen to your body!

[schallerjasmine]

Ouch! :( So sorry you are going through this. :grouphug: I'm not a kinesiologist, but I'd definitely make sure to stop all exercise that involves neck muscles like that for a while - until you heal... Make sure you sleep in good position to allow your neck muscles to relax. Once you are healed and ready to exercise again, I'd talk to the trainer and discuss in detail your form and any mistakes in form that could be possibly happening while you are exercising. Improper form can cause some serious injuries. :flower:
Also, "pushing through" that kind of pain is never a great idea - that specific kind of pain is typically indicative of something being wrong with the movement (you mentioned jerking neck) and form.

If oiling hair adds so much weight, I'd definitely avoid oiling it or working out with wet hair. If the bun is causing this, switch to a braid. If that's too heavy, switch to 2 braids to distribute the weight a bit more. Sectioning helps, so I'm all for sectioned braids or sectioned ponytails (http://layered-hairstyles.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sectioned-ponytail-2016-1-450x471.jpg) to distribute weight comfortably as much as possible.
I have not put oil or worked out in a week, even without doing that my neck really hurts and the weight of my hair seems to be exacerbating the damage I did the week prior. Do you think the sorness won't go away because my hair is pulling on my neck? I tried doing multiple types of braids, but they all hurt. Today I tried putting majority of my hair in the front with a middle part and only a little bit in the back and it helped a little. Are there any hairstyles you know that focus hair in the front? I appreciate your help so much, I have been freaking out a lot this week!


I'll second Anje on cutting down on the amunt of coconut oil.

Have you tried a crown braid or similar that distributed the weight of the hair more evenly around the whole head? Or you could try piling it loosely on top of your head and tie a turban over.

Also, never keep up a workout if you start hurting. Listen to your body!
I'll never make that mistake again, I am really bad at braiding so I have had my friend give me multiple braids this week and they have not alleviated the pain in my neck unfortunately 😢. But I have never tried the crown braid, I will have to look it up! Do you think if I did multiple braids that were equal in the front and back and then tied them to my body that would help? Honestly, its the fact my hair whips around behind me when I am working out that causes my neck to jerk around and brace against the weight. Thanks SO much for your help!

[meteor]

^ Have you tried a coronet braid (where you wrap your braid around the head and pin it with U-pins/claw-clips/etc), or 2 coronet braids (this Woven Crown is really good - https://rapunzelsresource.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/luana-braids-woven-crown-variation/) / heidi / milkmaid braids, or double/multiple buns - try stacking them on top of each other (Faux-hawk with buns (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WWm0XZx7HA/UCClgKQaUDI/AAAAAAAAEGc/f944qrUkSkg/s1600/polished+bun+hawk+pin.jpg)) or side by side (http://cateholst.typepad.com/.a/6a00e5536c293f8833019affc42adc970b-700wi) or other formations (http://hairromance-3df0.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Hair-Romance-wet-hair-styles-the-loose-triple-bun.jpg) and sectioned buns (e.g. swept up braided bun (http://media.trusper.net/u/035b0cb5-3681-4b9c-8876-a6b7cb85e90f.jpg))... Also, I'd actually wear hair down or in a light half-up or a loose braid when possible for now while the neck is healing...
I really hope you'll feel much better soon! :flower:

[MINAKO]

How about you wear a toght crop top and kind of put the braids underneath so the weight of the hair below the chest is held by the top rather then the neck muscles, it also wouldnt mive around as much. Sure not the most comfortable thing but i guess bearable compared to what happened now. I hope you make a quick recovery.

[Simsy]

What style do you wear for workouts? I can't work out with my hair in a braid because it bounces and jerks around too much so I use the sturdiest bun I can manage; usually a Nautalist for the time being, pinned down low.

If nothing else works, thinning shears to trim a little weight out might have to be the way to go. I realize this isn't plan A but it might be something to consider, along with everything else.

Good luck and I hope you start feeling better soon :flower:

[Horrorpops]

Ouch!! I am sorry to hear that, that sounds painful.

If this is the first time you'd had this experience I'd say it is more of a function of long hair + the type of exercise you were doing + potentially not great form. You've probably sprained a muscle in your neck, and while that is immensely painful those usually recover will in a week or two. As far as treatments right now, I know it is painful but try to keep doing your usual activities (but not the insanity workouts). You said you've stopped working out, but I encourage you to go for walks or do other gentle exercise, that can actually be beneficial to your neck pain :o In addition, gentle movement exercises, such as turning your head left to right (slowly, to look over your shoulder while keeping your shoulders still) can be helpful as well, but only move to the limit of pain. This isn't something you want to "push through" at this stage, so at the moment let pain guide how far you turn your head.

If you aren't getting any other symptoms (pins and needles in your arms, numbness etc) you probably don't need to see a doctor, I'd recommend heat packs and gentle exercise and normal activities for the next few days to see if it improves. Massage+acupunture may or may not help at this early stage. So really it depends if you want to spend the $$$ .

In the long run I think you'll have to work on your form during those insanity exercises, or change workout routine - normally your head should not be "jerking around", that sounds painful and you don't want to be exercising your neck muscles, you want to exercise the big ones in yours legs, back etc which burn the calories! :o Perhaps some of the hairstyles suggested above could help as well, just to distribute the weight more evenly or make it a litte less heavy right on the back of your head.

Hope this helps!

[Anje]

I have not put oil or worked out in a week, even without doing that my neck really hurts and the weight of my hair seems to be exacerbating the damage I did the week prior. Do you think the sorness won't go away because my hair is pulling on my neck?

Honestly, I'm worried the soreness won't go away because you hurt yourself somehow. Maybe you even managed to give yourself mild whiplash? It might be worth seeing a doctor or a sports medicine specialist about this if it doesn't clear up in another day or two, because it doesn't sound like normal muscle soreness. I hope whatever the problem is, it goes away quickly!

[missmex]

How about you wear a toght crop top and kind of put the braids underneath so the weight of the hair below the chest is held by the top rather then the neck muscles.

This sounds pretty solid, I stick my hair under my shirt whenever I wash my face when I'm lazy and I don't know where but I rememer seeing a lady with really long braids at the gym tuck in her hair in her hoodie and under her shirts.

If nothing, have you tried to put it all on the very top of the head? And had like a sort of "peacock-esque" end flip? In addition, if you keep your core engaged throughout, you should be moving your body in unison, and your head shouldn't be bobbling or you could injure yourself! I have strained my neck with the same workout, and try doing the modifications for a while whenever you jump back into the program. :)

[AZDesertRose]

Honestly, I'm worried the soreness won't go away because you hurt yourself somehow. Maybe you even managed to give yourself mild whiplash? It might be worth seeing a doctor or a sports medicine specialist about this if it doesn't clear up in another day or two, because it doesn't sound like normal muscle soreness. I hope whatever the problem is, it goes away quickly!

Yes, this. If your neck is hurting this badly for this long, you need medical attention if that is even remotely possible. Neck pain is no joke. It could be a badly pulled muscle (which hurts like the very devil but doesn't generally have massive long-term health implications), but you might have taken spinal/nerve/bone damage, which is, to say the least, ungood and has the potential to cause huge problems down the road. Please, if you can humanly arrange it, get to a doctor, OP.

[meteor]

Honestly, I'm worried the soreness won't go away because you hurt yourself somehow. Maybe you even managed to give yourself mild whiplash? It might be worth seeing a doctor or a sports medicine specialist about this if it doesn't clear up in another day or two, because it doesn't sound like normal muscle soreness. I hope whatever the problem is, it goes away quickly!

Definitely. :agree: Schallerjasmine, how long has this pain been going on for? Has it been subsiding since you stopped the exercise? If it's been a few days and it's still not subsiding even a little bit, I'd definitely go see a doctor ASAP. :flower:

I really hope you'll feel much better soon! :pray:

[schallerjasmine]

Honestly, I'm worried the soreness won't go away because you hurt yourself somehow. Maybe you even managed to give yourself mild whiplash? It might be worth seeing a doctor or a sports medicine specialist about this if it doesn't clear up in another day or two, because it doesn't sound like normal muscle soreness. I hope whatever the problem is, it goes away quickly!
I have a appointment with a sports physical therapist monday, so hopefully he can tell me whats up and how to fix the problem. I am just so worried that hes gonna say chop your hair off, I have been growing my hair for 5 years and for this to happen really kills me. Thanks for you concern and advice😊

[schallerjasmine]

Honestly it has gotten, when I lift my hair off my body and place it on something else so Im not carrying the weight of my hair it feels better... So I really hope it will go away soon! Thanks for your help!

[schallerjasmine]

Don't worry, I got an appointment so hopefully that will tell me whats wrong!!!

[AZDesertRose]

I have a appointment with a sports physical therapist monday, so hopefully he can tell me whats up and how to fix the problem. I am just so worried that hes gonna say chop your hair off, I have been growing my hair for 5 years and for this to happen really kills me. Thanks for you concern and advice��

Good! Please take it easy until Monday, and best wishes!

[schallerjasmine]

Honestly it has gotten, when I lift my hair off my body and place it on something else so Im not carrying the weight of my hair it feels better... So I really hope it will go away soon! Thanks for your help!
Honestly it has gotten worse*** this was in response to meteor, sorry I an new to tlhc so I dont understand how everything works!

[Anje]

Honestly, hair just isn't that heavy. Igor has some of the thickest hair I know of, down to her knees, and she found it weighed 250g. (http://igorsbelltower.blogspot.com/2011/09/hair-weight-and-headaches.html) I would ignore advice to cut your hair, and focus on the problem of the damage done. Once you're rehabilitated, you can probably find a way to ensure that the bulk of your hair's weight is borne by something other than your head during exercise (like the braids inside a snug top idea), but cutting it off for a hopefully short-term problem seems like bad advice.

[meteor]

I have a appointment with a sports physical therapist monday, so hopefully he can tell me whats up and how to fix the problem. I am just so worried that hes gonna say chop your hair off, I have been growing my hair for 5 years and for this to happen really kills me. Thanks for you concern and advice��

Yay! I'm so happy you are seeing a sports physical therapist on Monday, schallerjasmine. :D That's perfect! :thumbsup:

I just wanted to reassure you a little: it's highly, highly unlikely that they'd recommend cutting hair off. And even if they do, I'd *definitely* question that, do more research and ask for other options. Hair itself isn't that heavy and it's well distributed on scalp, so it's about containing it properly for sports, so that it's safe for whatever exercise you do, it's about distributing it well, it's about the proper form during exercise, etc ... Your hair makes you happy and it's not really a heavy appendage anyway. Just to give you a couple examples to reassure you a bit ;) :
Gossamer's hair that's beyond floor length weighs ~ 350 gr (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW7yZrmLWdg&feature=youtu.be) and Lucy's Corsetry's knee-length hair (48'') weighs ~ 225 gr (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XduqBu1s44Y&nohtml5=False).

[Silverbrumby]

3 advil or neurophen, 600mg every 6 hours for 24 hrs. This is muscle relaxing dosage.

Then place your hand behind you, touch the back of your head. Press into your hand for 10 to twenty seconds then release pressure. Head and neck to not move doing this.

Make sure you have food before advil. Not coffee, not super spicy.

Sudden jerking movements are not your friend and you might look for something less jerky.

Btw, if neck is really bad you can use acetaminophen in between doses of advil.

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Everyone here has given you great advice already. And for goodness' sake don't chop your hair off. Maybe avoid the exercises when you have it full of coconut oil. You'll know for next time :) I too have put my neck out in the shower while washing out a mixture of oil and SMT; it's no fun!

[Deborah]

I seriously doubt that the oil or your hair had anything to do with it. It is most likely just a result of the head jerking. That is never a healthy thing to do. I hope your doctor can help you get this healed up quickly. Take good care of yourself.:flower:

[truepeacenik]

Ask the sports medicine specialist about working your scalenes and SCM.

ETA, I meant massage or physical therapy, but also how to move them correctly.

[lapushka]

I have not put oil or worked out in a week, even without doing that my neck really hurts and the weight of my hair seems to be exacerbating the damage I did the week prior. Do you think the sorness won't go away because my hair is pulling on my neck? I tried doing multiple types of braids, but they all hurt. Today I tried putting majority of my hair in the front with a middle part and only a little bit in the back and it helped a little. Are there any hairstyles you know that focus hair in the front? I appreciate your help so much, I have been freaking out a lot this week!

If you injured something badly, it's not going to be solved in a week! Time and patience and putting ice or heating pads on the injury will help while you rest (do not work out until it's healed).

Your hair is not the issue here! Hair doesn't weigh that much, not even thick hair that it can cause an injury. Pushing through was maybe not the best idea and made it even worse.

Give it plenty of rest and maybe go see a doctor if after about a month it's not better (yes, it can take that long).

[schallerjasmine]

Meteor, you have made my day! I was super worried that this would be the end of my hair! I weighed my hair and its like .8-1 pound, the thing is that my hair is always unequal because when I first began growing my hair I had a side shave, so between a fifth and fourth of my hair on the left side is like a third of the length of the rest of my hair. Its easily covered up by the rest of my hair with majority of parts because my hair is so thick. Thanks!
I also want to say thanks everyone for responding and for your genuine concern!Your tips really have helped me and made me feel better about this whole situation, I tried to respond to all of you, but my phone is being weird at the moment.

[chen bao jun]

I see you have gotten good advice.
You need a dr./physical therapist, someone to tell you how to move your neck properly--after you get the problem fixed. You can also have them check into your posture. I had neck problems and doing stretches helped with them greatly. I also got an obus form (look that up on the interest) back rest that helps me sit upright and supports my back. It's all connected!
My troubles started after a car accident with a deer involved (curse you, Bambi!) but I discovered my bad posture was problems waiting to happen.
My neighbor had knee length hair and horrible neck problems. Some idiot doctor advised her to cut. So she ended up with a pixie (very unattractive on her)--and neck problems that were worse than before. She ended up having operations--she had disc problems and other things. Nothing at all to do with her beautiful hair.

[kuroi]

Ouch, that sounds painful. Good luck Monday and indeed don't cut your hair off. I hope your recovery won't take too long.

[01]

*hugs* I never *truly* injured my neck, but it gets painful sometimes so I was wondering about that a lot too... If there's some way of putting hair up that is more neck friendly than other ways.

[Bergelmir]

Certainly not a hair issue, every healthy neck can handle even the thickest hair. However, neck issues are always serious and i do recommend meeting a doctor asap. It's a critical location and as long as you feel any pain every sport matter is strictly forbidden, i do recommend wearing a soft scarf too, to make sure there is maximum protection.

[pili]

You won't ( and shouldn't) cut your hair. I have been a CrossFit trainer since 2007. I've had my iii hair everywhere from a bob to hip stretched. Going to see a sport PT is the right step, but also, you need to be hyper aware of your neck posture during a lot of the movements. I have a weak neck from poor posture since my teens. As long as I keep my posture a priority over the intensity of the movement, I'm fine. I needed deep tissue massage and a chiropractor to help me fix decades of damage and the whole time I was able to CF. the only times I would "tweak" my neck was if I got lazy about my neck alignment. Yes, certain hairstyles help, but posture is the bigger issue.

[AZDesertRose]

Several people have made the point of posture correction, and that is an excellent point.

I'd also like to raise the possibility of sleeping on an orthopedic neck-support pillow, as I find that very helpful. (I have disc herniation issues in various parts of my spine, including my neck.)

[Bergelmir]

Sounds great, posture correction (done by a physical therapist and/or a doctor) with possible neck support is the way to go. Again, there is not any requirement for cutting hair. However, i do not recommend pointing at meds (this should be done by a doctor in term there is a need) and as long as you can handle the pain without meds it's not recommended using it out of the blue because there is not only possible side effects, it's even able to suppress your immune system, so it will be a emergency-case only and judgement is solely done by a doctor.

Wish you good luck in regaining your health.

[Doreen]

I think with that much vigorous activity your hair may not be entirely the culprit here. If it is not better within another week I think you should go to a doctor and see if any serious injury has occurred. This past winter I fell back on the ice and injured my head and neck rather badly and it took about 3 months for my neck to feel completely back to normal. Because we have to use our necks so much in day to day life (without even realizing it), it takes them sometimes longer to heal.

[Qz]

IMO any neck pain in particular should be checked by a good doc! I have a friend who actually broke a bone in her neck by turning her head just the wrong way, it could be anything from sore muscles to some structural issue. Best to get it looked at and not guess at it.

[lapushka]

IMO any neck pain in particular should be checked by a good doc! I have a friend who actually broke a bone in her neck by turning her head just the wrong way, it could be anything from sore muscles to some structural issue. Best to get it looked at and not guess at it.

Definitely! :) And do wear your hair up if you don't want anyone's judgement.

[AZDesertRose]

Definitely! :) And do wear your hair up if you don't want anyone's judgement.

Actually, wearing your hair up might be a good idea anyway, just so the doctor/physical therapist has access to your neck for examination purposes.

[schallerjasmine]

Hey, guys just wanted to tell you my neck is feeling better and the sports therapist said to let it rest for a month. I will be having weekly sessions and do independent stretching to heal my neck! Thanks everyone for your help!

[Anje]

Oh good! I'm very glad it's feeling better!

[Qz]

Glad to hear you're feeling better!

[papayatree]

That is great news to hear!

[spidermom]

and in the future don't do workouts that cause you to be jerking around. That's poor body mechanics.

[AZDesertRose]

Glad to hear you're feeling better!

[lapushka]

Great to hear you're feeling a bit better already. In a month this should be all gone, if you give it enough rest...

[meteor]

Hey, guys just wanted to tell you my neck is feeling better and the sports therapist said to let it rest for a month. I will be having weekly sessions and do independent stretching to heal my neck! Thanks everyone for your help!


Yay! :happydance: That's amazing news! Congratulations, schallerjasmine! :joy: Wishing you speedy and easy recovery! :cheer:

[Simsy]

Hey, guys just wanted to tell you my neck is feeling better and the sports therapist said to let it rest for a month. I will be having weekly sessions and do independent stretching to heal my neck! Thanks everyone for your help!

Wonderful, I'm glad you're feeling better.