I can't bend my neck to the left at all or turn my head to the left as far as usual. Do you guys know of any home-remedy-type-stuff for this?

Alternating heat and ice, and massage. Rest (your head, not sleep). Anti-inflammatory OTC such as Aleve or ibuprofen (not both). A visit to the dr. if it doesn’t get better in three or four days.

Well, I came here to say something but @juwhite1 said it all. GA.

Sorry! I talk a lot!

Only thing I can add is that a great way to get heat to your neck is to fill a stray sock with 2 cups of uncooked rice, tie off the end, and pop it in the microwave for about 1–½ to 2 minutes. Shake it out to distribute the heat. You may need to put a paper towel between the rice sock and your skin at first, but the weight and the heat usually do a good job on necks and shoulders, when heat is needed.

@juwhite1 Don’t worry, it’s an endearing quality ;)

CHIROPRACTOR!!!! :D And I know most of you will probably disagree, but it has worked wonders for me and has improved my health….just saying

Despite these remedies mentioned, be ready to go to the doctor should things get worse.

Unlike your other limbs, your neck is extremely important, and an injury there could have much greater repocussions(sp?) than you realize.

Err on the side of caution with this one.

Heat! It relaxes the muscles.

The chiropractor will be a possibility if you can’t get it to relax. :)

WIth my neck, chiropractors are an absolute no-no. I don’t know how many times my primary care and my surgeon have reminded me to never go to a chiropractor for my neck… for other issues, fine, but not my neck. I (and thousands of other people) have an issue with cervical instability in my neck that could cause sudden death by severing a vertebral artery if a chiropractor tries to adjust it. I seriously doubt that’s the case with this muscle strain issue, but I’m never willing to recommend a chiropractor for someone’s neck until a doctor has told them it is safe for them. (No – I’m not a chiropractor hater… my husband goes when needed and it is extremely helpful for him).

I have Icy-Hot on it right now. I’ll try some actual ice pac & heating pad later if needed.

@juwhite1: the problem is, is that people have one bad experience and suddenly chiropractors are the worst people. I will admit there are risks to chiropractic work, but aren’t there risks to just about everything a doctor does? And btw I’m not trying to like bash on you.

I would always get croup, but ever since I’ve started seeing my chiropractor, I haven’t been sick with anything. (btw, you don’t have to have a hand adjustment, you can also ask for them to use an applicator).

But back to the question!

I usually take a hot shower and try to sleep in a position that will ease it out of it’s cramping.

I rest my neck on one of those heating pad things that plug into the wall. I think the one I have is from the 70s or something, because it has this crazy-weird print on it. Usually it works for a while, though.

@smartfart11 – I’ll totally do that tonight!

Ibuprofen is your bestest friend.

I’ve found that acupuncture works much, much better than chiropracty for me.

@ChocolateReigns Hopefully that works for you!