How can I soothe a wrenched upper back/shoulder muscle?

When it feels as you said "swollen" and "sore", I would apply a cold pack and not heat. You even said that heat was not working. Only when that black and blue swollen feeling subsides, you should then hop into a hot bath with epsom salts.

You probably tweaked your upper trap muscles and possibly your levator muscle which attaches to your interior top scapula and weaves its way up your neck, hooking onto the skull just behind the ear. When this muscle is bothered and/or pulled, it makes turning your head anguish! I wouldn't recommend massage unless it was done softly by someone who knows what they're doing.

(wish I was there! ) Get one of those gel cold packs. They don't get as cold at putting a bag of ice next to your skin!

Here is a great investment. A cold and hot pack for the shoulder area. painreliever.com/elastogel_CC102.html (or you can always make your own) Feel better soon Sweetie!

My wife has been going through this exact trauma for a while and nothing seems to help. However there is one item that she has been using, along with a heating pad at night, that does provide some relief during the day time hours. It is a odorless moist-heat pad that provides her with soothing relief while she is in the office and at home.

Thermacare: thermacare.com However if you do not prefer medicated type pads then maybe you can try some home exercise to relieve the pain and stress on that portion of your shoulder. Video attached.

Try using Greaseless BENGAY Pain Relieving Cream. It contains methyl salicylate 15% and menthol 10%. This formulation is non-greasy and offers fast pain relief for minor aches and pains.

Source: arthritis.about.com/od/topicalcounterirr... Another alternative is using Sunshine Spa Muscle Comfort Therapeutic Bath & Body Oil. It contains arnica and the essential oils of clove, eucalyptus, and peppermint that provide relief for sore muscles. Source: findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_....

There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. You may be applying too much heat ant pressure to it. Using a heat patch that sends a soothing heat to it all day may help you more, also use creams and ointments such as Biofreeze or icyhot and if you need to take medication, over the counter pain reliever should do.

It will probably take a few days, for the discomfort to subside, just like when you work out too hard in the gym. Take it easy and if nothing else works, see your doctor if you notice any swelling or lack of movement.

I don't want to profess to know this for certain, but I suffered the same pain having slept awkwardly and it transpired I had trapped a nerve in my neck, the pain in the shoulder muscle was actually related pain from the nerve. Why don't you see your doctor or a chiropracter or physio just to be sure?

I use organic cayenne powder mixed with oil or vodka. It´s a good idea to apply it with some cloth or cotton. Cayenne gives a burning sensation, but does not do any damage to the skin.

On the contrary, it ups blood circulation in that area and soothes away and heals muscle pains, sprains, even toothache. But be warned, it can get uncomfortably hot. It´s a "horse cure", but it works.

When I got a similar problem my doctor suggested to use a cold pack. I placed some ice cubes in a sock and used it. She prescribed some muscle relaxants too.

But they will make you sleep. Using cold pack and some pain killers will help you. From experience, I think, it will take at least a couple of days to cure.

Check out a YOGAmazing podcast,there are 200 of them on iTunes,maybe one can help you out. Hope you feel better soon!

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