Shoulder/neck muscle pain/stiffness????

ANY PROFESSIONALS OUT THERE??

Neck and shoulder pain and stiffness WORSE in the morning AND upon lying down at night.

Have tried MANY MANY types of chiropractic pillows and other methods, including massage therapy. Only temporary relief.
Can't believe it is stress related, as I'm relaxed when
going to bed. Using ergonomics at computer.

Exhausted all avenues. Got a new one??

C Sunshine,
I am so sorry to hear that you are having such discomfort. How long and how often did you give Massage Therapy a try? Sometimes it takes several closely scheduled apointments to get the lasting results that you are seeking. the reason being that time is how it got there and time will be what it takes to get it to go away.
Did you actually seek Chiropractic treatment? Again my question would be, how many sessions how close together?
Another thing that you can try at home is to get rid of a pillow altogether or use a small rolled towel placed just under the natural curve of your neck. Even though you use ergonomics at your computer, it is wize to take frequent breaks from sitting there. Move those neck muscles in a full range of motion. Move arms in full range of motion. Do shoulder shrugs. Anything that you can think of to get the blood flowing into the area.
I hope that this will help you in some way. Don't give up on the idea of frequent massage and Chiropractic. Try looking for a Gonstead practitioner. that is a Chiropractor with training in the Gonstead techniques. It is very specific and differs from a lot of the other Chiropractic work known as Palmer.
I am a Masage Therapist and I work in a Chiropractic clinic with a Gonsted Practitioner. We help many people like you. Sometimes it is the simple changes that can be the most helpful. What types of massage were used to treat your pain and stiffness? There are many types and different reasons to use them. If one type doesn't work for you then it might be time for your Therapist to expand on treatment options.
Robin

Maybe you are more stressed than you realize. I belong to a website that utilizes Buddhist values. There are all types of relaxation and meditation techniques, also words of wisdom. the site is called the daily om. Try it you might be surprised!!

You may need a new bed, not a new religion! LOL! Seriously, sounds like everything hinges around your sleep.

Neck and shoulder pain from stress is not about the stress when you go to bed, it is about the stress that causes you to tense up for long periods during the day. It can also be the result of long periods working at a computer without moving - keeping the head still is "normal" while working but is actually abnormal in terms of human biology and evolution.

Try this: every hour, get up from the computer, walk around, and do the "head roll" stretching exercise for several minutes (up to five.) Working condition conventions, and most State labor laws, provide for a ten minute break for every two hours of consecutive work, so you can compel your supervisor to allow this if you get any complaints. Don't skip the head roll when you break for lunch, which may be 30, 45, or 60 minutes. In addition, do the head roll after the work day is over, and several times at intervals between work and bedtime.

If you have access to a hot tub or jacuzzi, you should also spend about ten minutes each day, between dinner and bedtime, in the pulsating hot water (set temperature between 100 and 105 degrees F.) The hot bath treatments should ease the congestion you now have in your neck and shoulder muscles which makes the present condition worse.

If you do not feel any relief after three days of regular head rolls and daily hot water treatments, go see a doctor.

you need to take a pain reliever. and put some menthol ointment on the part has a pain

Ok. here it goes..apply some hot compress whenever you are free..one time doesnt help at all, so try to make time for these applications..you may also try rubbing some ointment onto the affected area by massaging.

Massage therapy works wonders.