RunningAHEAD - Topic: Neck Pain

posted: 3/29/2009 at 1:59 PM

Hey guys... I recently started running again. I quit smoking about 2 weeks ago, and I've been doing well. I started out small (a little over a mile) for a week, and I'm very comfortable at 2 miles now. My lungs feel great, legs are doing wonderful, and I'm just feeling good. But one problem. Near the last 2/10's of my second mile, I get a pain my lower neck/traps area. I won't say its really a pain, but more of a stiffness I guess. Anyone have any suggestions? Confused

"Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative." - prefontaine

seeEricaRun

Awesome

posted: 3/29/2009 at 2:07 PM
modified: 3/29/2009 at 2:08 PM

I get this often when I run, and at every race. I have two theories on it: 1. Bad form: I tend to tense up my shoulders and neck a lot as I run. 2. Referred pain from the diaphragm - it could actually be a cramp. For me, I think it's actually the latter, since the pain goes away when I stop, and stretching it as I run doesn't change the way it feels.

autumns_child

posted: 3/30/2009 at 12:48 AM

Quote from seeEricaRun on 3/29/2009 at 2:07 PM:

I get this often when I run, and at every race. I have two theories on it: 1. Bad form: I tend to tense up my shoulders and neck a lot as I run. 2. Referred pain from the diaphragm - it could actually be a cramp. For me, I think it's actually the latter, since the pain goes away when I stop, and stretching it as I run doesn't change the way it feels.

Thanks for the reply ... I'm going to pay more attention to my posture when I run and see if it might be that! Thanks!

"Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative." - prefontaine

mgerwn

Hold the Mayo

posted: 4/1/2009 at 3:08 PM

Partly tension, partly conditioning. I used to get the same thing after a couple of miles when I (re)started running last year. Now it only happens near the end of my long runs. Try and conciously drop your shoulders and arms for a little while (15-30 seconds, up to maybe a minute), shake them out, massage a little, take a few deep breaths. As you run more, more often, and longer distances your neck / shoulder muscles will get used to it. One day you'll notice you haven't noticed it in a while.

"You're Not Winning"

Connecticut Runners' Forum on RunningAhead

autumns_child

posted: 4/2/2009 at 10:32 AM

Quote from mgerwn on 4/1/2009 at 3:08 PM:

Partly tension, partly conditioning. I used to get the same thing after a couple of miles when I (re)started running last year. Now it only happens near the end of my long runs. Try and conciously drop your shoulders and arms for a little while (15-30 seconds, up to maybe a minute), shake them out, massage a little, take a few deep breaths. As you run more, more often, and longer distances your neck / shoulder muscles will get used to it. One day you'll notice you haven't noticed it in a while.

This sounds great. I haven't run since sunday, but I'm going after work today and I am going to give that a try! Thank you so much.

"Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative." - prefontaine

Kerry1976

Master of the Side Eye

posted: 4/2/2009 at 3:57 PM

Bad form causes sore left shoulder for me. I'm trying right now to be more conscious of my posture because I shouldn't have just one sore shoulder after a 10-miler. (my mom thought I was nuts when I told her this)

TRUST THE PROCESS

quagga

posted: 4/2/2009 at 4:44 PM
modified: 4/2/2009 at 4:45 PM

A very good yoga stretch for tight neck/shoulders/trapezius: Threading the Needle http://www.yogabasics.com/asana/postures/threadneedle.html Be gentle with yourself.

veggies on the run

autumns_child

posted: 4/6/2009 at 11:00 AM

Quote from Kerry1976 on 4/2/2009 at 3:57 PM:

Bad form causes sore left shoulder for me. I'm trying right now to be more conscious of my posture because I shouldn't have just one sore shoulder after a 10-miler. (my mom thought I was nuts when I told her this)

I've been paying close attention to this, and all that everyone is telling me, and it's been really helping! Thank you thank you.

"Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative." - prefontaine

autumns_child

posted: 4/6/2009 at 11:01 AM

Quote from quagga on 4/2/2009 at 4:44 PM:

A very good yoga stretch for tight neck/shoulders/trapezius: Threading the Needle http://www.yogabasics.com/asana/postures/threadneedle.html Be gentle with yourself.

Will give this a try for sure!

"Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative." - prefontaine

Neck Pain (Read 843 times)