Any other surfers out there have to deal with neck problems?

Question

Went surfing last week and tweaked my neck pretty badly. Now I'm sitting on the couch in pain...good times! Any advice?

Answer 1

you can get a neck rest to place around your neck, get lots of sleep and it right everyday try & do a bit of stretching gently working the muscles in the neck so you dont hurt yourself but you're still getting some movement in the neck.

in a few short days you should feel better.

Answer 2

I like the Huntington Beach answer the best. My neck is the only part of me that doesn't hurt after surfing the Wedge in Newport Beach. I land on my feet first on a sandbar with no water underneath me, and take the skin off my arms and butt. Kinda fun. I looked very amphibious, like I am storming the beach at Normandy at low tide. Saved the Germans a bullet. No broken legs. Take care of that neck. It won't grow back. Ice that neck and get back on the horse. Hey, see the doctor if your neck really hurts. I have friends that are paralized from the neck down getting a board in the back. d**n spinal cord. Land feet first next time. Necks are wimpy.

Answer 3

yeah...stop whining.

Answer 4

Once, I wiped out and as I was coming back up, this lovely 4-ft wave broken on my head.

That was painful.

Answer 5

is it from your wetsuit? when i have a session in my summer suit like the velcro scratches my neck

Answer 6

I'm not a doc, so I don't want to venture a diagnosis. Sprains and strains go along with surfing. I don't know if your pain is from muscle fatigue or an injury. I have sprained most of my muscles surfing at one time or another (I'm 55 and have been surfing since I was 13). being old and out of shape myself, my best advice is to try to tighten up all of those flabby muscles by at least a couple weeks of light work outs before your surfing season starts. Before you hit the water, jog a little, do some stretching exercises, and maybe even go for a quick swim.

You will never be able to avoid those sprains (tweak as you call it), but you can minimize muscle strains. But even with a few aches and pains you can still have a great time. Eat some Ranger Candy (anti-inflamatories) and get back in the water.

Answer 7

Get to the doc.. I had a friend that went under, he broke his neck. you never know.

Answer 8

There is a rashguard like shirt called the Paddle Air that relieves both back and neck pain.  It was invented by a guy named David Hilts, a long time surfer from Huntington Beach.  Basically, it gives you a slight air pocket under your chest.  This helps you keep your head up with less strain then you would otherwise have.  You can find the site and various testimonials easily on the web.