Case Summary  |  Upper Back Stiffness and Soreness

My neck and upper back have a very dull, constant ache to them due to the stiffness. On some days the pain worsens and becomes a very sharp, and noticeable pain. So far, I have not received medical attention. I take over-the-counter pain relievers everyday. On occasion, I use Icy Hot or a similar product. And a nurse friend of mine taught me this exercise, which helps relieve some of the pain. While lying on the ground, on your back, curl up into the fetal position, and rock back and forth. When you're rocking, the muscles in the upper back and neck area are being pulled and there is a sense of relief. Once you try the basic exercise, you can decide how quickly you want to rock. I go very slowly because I can really feel the muscles stretch.