I\\'m trying to get some insight on neck injuries from a surfer\\'s perspective. Took a fall on N.S. 3 years ago and have had chronic whiplash as a result. Read online articles, seen Dr.s, Physical Therapist, and now trying chiropractic. Hurts worse after extended or multiple surf sessions. Anyone experience a neck related injury? If so what have you done (exercises etc.) to function normally, if that\\'s possible.
I sustained a pretty gnarley neck injury a little over 2 years ago surfing hurricane danny. It was about 3 foot and dumping into about 2 feet of water... Got crunched pretty bad, took all the skin off my forehead. My neck has never quite been the same and after about 3 hours of nonstop surfing and paddling it will start to get pretty sore. I think it's one of those things you just have to learn to deal with, as neck surgery is almost never a good option. Ibuprofen helps too. Stay Above it!
I have nothing to say about neck injuries. but speaking of danny, I got the best barrel of my life that saturday. yeah, i had to say that. danny>billOriginally Posted by stayabovetheweather
+1...After an extended session or multiple sessions will almost have to pick my head up off the pillow to get out of bed and sometimes get dizzy during the day. Neck surgery aint an option. There are some strength exercises you can do to alleviate some of the stiffness but you're probably right just learn to deal with it and pick the days you paddle out. make sure they're worth the next week of paying for it.
Instead of ibuprofen, take aleve. I think naproxen sodium is an anti-inflamitory, and may help more.
Trashed my neck in Mountain Bike accident, and have the same problem after a long surf in potent waves ever since.
Yoga, flexibility exercises and taking alleve BEFORE the surf helps most. And one of those theraputic foam pillows.
Hitting the hot tub, and rearranging how I work at my desk with better ergonomics - that actually helped a lot too.
Sometimes it's what you do between sessions.
I would find the right types of neck stretching excersizes. I know its not really for sport injuries but actors do some neck stretching to help them deal with nerves/butterfiles. I do these on occasion and it helps my neck feel normal. I hurt my neck as a kid, 12years old or so(38 now)... I held up a body board infront of me as a big shore breaker was just breaking on me and I tried to use my head and arms to push against the wave... I couldnt turn my neck for like 5 days... now I get bad stiff necks like once a year... every year...
I have a shifted and enlarged c3 and c4 vertibray causes stiffness and pain. Also I have perminate nerve damage to my long thoracic nerve causing my scapular to wing out due to my sub scapular muscle no longer working. Surfing strengthen my shoulder neck but cause tremendouse pain so I stopped about 6 years ago for two years. I've been going 4 years strong now with chronic pain but learn to manage it now. Surgery is not an option for the kneck avoid that at all cost, there is a surgery for my shoulder (major pectoralis transfer) but can't afford it. I've been dealing with this injury for about 8 years the kneck I'm not so sure about can't remember the exact moment that happened probably combined accidents with the bad shoulder. What I find work is a **** ton of yoga, I use peggy halls yoga for surfers but theres a ton out there, its also a good flat season work out. I take 800 mg Ibuprophen, I like it better than Alieve it hits you faster. They're both anti-inflamatories but Aleive is more gradual and steady, so Its what your body prefers. If taking 800 mg make sure to do on full stomache and don't take it before going out drinking;try to take it during the day. I also sleep on a pillow that molds to my neck which helps. Lastly get a girlfriend that can give good massages, this part is key. Haven't missed a swell to these injuries in a long time, I ride shortboards like big waves and not afraid of getting wrecked so by no means do I let this slow me down; I'm only 26 so youth is on my side. I also over came a corneal disease almost went blind, if theres a will theres a way. Peace and keep surfing
I lived in Hawaii for a few years. I got dropped in on and that's when I got injured. Looks like the only thing you're doing that I'm not is banking the Ibuprofin and maybe I should get a decent pillow. From reading everyone's posts it's bad news to know that you will always feel the burn. Reassuring that there are other surfers out there who deal with it on a daily basis and don't let it keep them from charging when there is swell in the water even though we know the next few days will be a little difficult.
Sounds like you've overcome the odds and still charge. So you're due a cold water set wave next swell...on me.
Last edited by havanasand; Dec 10, 2011 at 11:29 PM. Reason: more info
I'm in my early 40"s and have injured my neck several times over the years. The worst was about 3 or 4 years back when I dove under a wave while trying to get out of the way of a knee boarder who was coming straight towards me with complete disregard for my safety. I thought I was in deeper water. I was mistaken and dove head first into the bottom. I thought for sure my neck was broken.
My neck hurt for months before I went to the chiropractor. After a few visits, I was starting to feel relief. Now, a few years later, I usually feel ok must of the time, so I would definitely recommend seeing a chiropractor. Hopefully it's just a muscle problem and not something worst.
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