Knot on neck

[Zlin]

I just noticed this knot at the base of my neck where my traps come together. It feels like it is right over the 2nd and 3rd vertebrae. The knot is much more noticable after a heavy squat workout, and I've not had any discomfort from the area of my neck. I took squats out of my training for a month just to see if it would go away but it hasn't. So is there anything I can do short of going to the doctor and having them tell me they have to cut on my neck? Because I'm not cool with the idea of syringes or scalpels near my spine.

 

[KIAN]

If it was a bulging or herniated disc then you would experience pain (sometimes extreme) in the immediate area as well as down your arm. You may also feel a tingling sensation in your fingers and associated weakness. But you are saying that you are experiencing no discomfort.

You are getting a little ahead of yourself with the talk of scalpels but you should have your physician conduct an MRI scan to see if you have any damage or something else in the area, especially since you are not experiencing any pain.


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KP -- Fitness Basics

 

[ZKaudio]

a cool way to get a preliminary diagnosis on stuff like this is to go get a GOOD deep tissue massage from someone who actually has experience in their line of work. Typically a good masseuse will come by recommendation, but the ones that are talented tend to be quite overqualified in the field of anatomy... at least they can let you know whether it's worth being looked into or knot (hehe) and best part, you get a massage

 

[Zlin]

My father was diagnosed with degerative disk disease about 10 years ago, I was only 14 at the time. He's had 5 back surgeries (Lower back L1-L4 disks removed) ranging from plates and screws to bone graphs and stimulator implants to kill the pain caused by misplaced screws that knicked his spinal cord. So as far as I'm concerned back surgery will never be an option for me. I think for now I'm going to try and find a good deep tissue masseuse and try having it worked out. If that doesn't work I'll get it checked out by my physician and see what he thinks about it.

 

[KIAN]

I would seriously consider getting it scanned first before you allow someone to start manipulating it just so you know what it is.

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KP -- Fitness Basics

 

[danielson]

I would seriously consider getting it scanned first before you allow someone to start manipulating it just so you know what it is.

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KP -- Fitness Basics

I would definately go and see a doc first

given its proximty to the spinal cord, manipulation of it could easily do more harm than good. Also since it is backthere you can't easily tell us more of the characteristics of it, so while it couldvery easily be a lipoma it could be something else

As said above you would be experiencing neurological symptoms were a disc to herniate and impinge on the cord, but it could be many other things and it eould only be co-inidental that it is in its current location and is more notiable after squats (the muscle may just makre the lump more prominent), it doesnt mean that there isnt something else going on around there which is relativly innocuous that may have pressure effects if it is massaged

Best thing is to present to a doc, have him examine you and if its not clear cut to let him send for imaging if he decides to. massueses tend to stay away from over the spiunal column, Zkaudio is dead on when I have a problem I usually let someone like that deal with it as they hvae the experience but I'd just err on the side of caution given its location, the fact you can't see it properly and your family history

 

[Zlin]

Ok, seems like its a better idea to have it checked out first, I've got an appointment on June 10th to have my doc look at it. One thing I have noticed about it though is that after a heavy squat day the knot tends to be more prominent. Almost like it fills up with something then after a day or 2 it settles back down, heh maybe I have a blister back there that just needs a good poppin'. I'll let you guys know whats up as soon as I get it checked out. Thanks for the help.

 

[ZKaudio]

my occipitals used to swell up and give me bumps on the back of my head... like 3 doctors later, they found out I was using too tall of a pillow and it was traumatizing the tendons while i slept. go figure.

 

[perp69]

Like everyone said-see the doc first and let us know how it goes. You are talking about the spine after all and I wouldn't be messing around with that area. Good luck.