Pain in the neck - literally

I've used arnica gel on bruised and inflamed areas, and it seems to work fairly well. Don't know if this will help you with your neck pain, though. Can't hurt to try, I guess. Good luck and I hope you get a handle on your pain before your race this weekend.

Linda

Jaaaaaaaaainkies, I know the feeling !! Chiro always fixes me up. Usually relief is noticeable by the next day. You might have been whipping your head around trying to catch a breath. I used to do this and struggled with it when I first started swimming until I figured out how to breathe bi-laterally. Ice really helped me, although some may recommend heat.

If the pain is older then 24hrs I recommend heat. the rice sock is good. Sometime's it's just a weird kink thing. good luck in your race!

I went to the chiro yesterday - it felt like the twisted my head right off my spine.
Last night I did some short bricks run & bike with transition in my driveway.  I was glad that it didn't bother me more on my bike.
I'm not better today.  It got in the way of my sleeping last night.
I swam early this morning (I am NOT a morning person) but thought my body should know what it's like to get in the water early (ie race day).  It was there the whole swim, not my #1 concern (still learning to breathe) but there just the same.  I am working on breathing bi-laterally.  I did realize that I am probably stressing my right side.  Swimming is new to me and I spend 1/2 my time in a side stroke on my right using my right arm a lot!  I tried to do a left handed side stroke and it was about as successful as writing left handed.

The rice sock is my best friend!  I actually wore it in the car to the pool this morning and put it back on my neck afterwards.
I should have iced it on day one but I totally spaced and used heat.

It won't get in the way of my race, I just wish I was going to be more comfortable.  The good news is I live in Houston and it will be 90 degrees so once I get out of the water and it warms up I think I'll be just fine.

Keri