Topic: Shooting neck pain... Suggestions?

[GrandRapids750K3]

So after a couple of summers of work my 73 750 has been cleared for some miles...  However, when I hit about a hundred miles I get terrible shooting pains in my lower neck or very upper back, like someone is jamming an ice pick in between my vertebra... If I really put on the miles I may be sore for a day or two and it even hurts to the touch... Has anyone also experienced this? Some tips that may have helped? I have the stock bars on and would prefer to not mess with any of that...

[jamesb]

maybe try some handle bar end weights to dampen the vibration i have used them and it helps.

[GrandRapids750K3]

I had actually never considered the vibration, thought it may be more of a posture problem....

[srbakker]

I get this too.  I premedicate with ibuprofen or naproxen if I know I'm doing more than an hour or two, and especially on multi day trips - it helps a fair bit.

I also check my posture - inevitably when it starts to hurt, I'm slouching a bit.

It was undeniably worse recently when I had a bit of a front end wobble from a front tire that needed replacing.  On my modern bikes, I also found that making certain the clutch and front brake levers were in the right position helped.  The more upright I sit the better it gets, so maybe consider a higher bar or risers.

I haven't tried it yet, but someone else recommended a seat pad to me - might work from the other end and take some of that vibration of your neck.

Good luck. 
Scott

[ChuckG750f1]

Everyone's anatomy is different and what is comfortable for one person may not work for another.  The wind pushing on your upper body and your resistance to it may be the problem.  So, a windshield, helmet/face shield and handlebar style/position could all help to solve this.  There are exercises that can focus on the shoulder blades that could hep too.  Do you ride other bikes without this happening?

[dhall57]

Here is my situation and it sounds similar to yours K3. At least 6 years ago I started noticing my neck was stiff like a crick and thought well in a few days it will be fine like it had in the past. But one morning I woke up in terrible pain. Not really in my neck but in my right shoulder blade and the upper part of my arm. To make a long story short I found out I had a couple of almost completely colasped disc in my neck and that was putting pressure on a nerve causing the severe pain. And yes like someone sticking me with a ice pick in my shoulder and arm. For a while I could hardly function and get through the day and riding a bike was out of the question because it made the pain even worse because of the position your in when riding. All the doctors of course wanted to operate, but I decided to try adjustments and decompressions from a chiropractor. The pain didn't go away at the first visit, but after several weeks I started getting some relieve from the pain. I now try to go back once a month for maintenance and that seems to keep me pretty much pain free. For the most part I can ride pain free and only at times do I have some minor discomfort and that usually only on longer rides.

[dhall57]

maybe try some handle bar end weights to dampen the vibration i have used them and it helps.

Anybody that's got Marcia Brady as there avatar pic is all right with me. Way to go James!

[Gordon]

Are your shoulder and neck muscles tense when riding?  On longer rides I often have to remind myself to relax my shoulders and let them and my arms drop down and just rest on the handlebars rather than holding tight and keeping my shoulders tense. 

[CrankyOldGuy]

Physiotherapy, with a bit of acupuncture, and/or massage therapy.  I have tried both; with the acupuncture working miracles.  Massage therapy once a month keeps all the cricks and pain at bay; plus in my experience the female ones are usually cute  . 

Harry O.

PS You should discuss with your Doctor before treatment.  My experience is based dealing with spinal arthritis for over thirty years, plus a couple of "good" motorcycle accidents and a parachuting incident prior to that 

[the technological J]

i also had this problem on my 2k mile trip some days it was worse than others
my thought on it is that we are stuck with one arm on thethrottle at all times something is gonna go outta balance eventually... im gonna try exercise my left shoulder... a chiroprator showed me a slow shrug(sort of) that you roll foreward for 2 minutes and then backwards for 2 minutes

[OldSchool_IsCool]

What I do before I go on a long ride, I put my butt on a Goldwing

[scottly]

I've noticed that an upright riding position at higher speeds puts more strain on my neck, from resisting the wind trying to blow my helmet backwards. I first noticed it when riding a friend's DOHC 750, after logging lots of miles with clubmans. With clubmans and other low bars, you lean into the wind, taking the pressure off the neck, arms, and wrists. A fairing would probably help in your case.

[jtb]

For 5 years, I had epidurals around c5, and it was a big help.  When they quit giving relief, I went to a neurosurgeon.  He removed 3 bad disks and fused C4,5,6, and 7.  My back and shoulders are greatly relieved, but I can't relate how it is riding, yet.  I should get the OK to ride next week.  (Ihope) 

[flybox1]

Its basic ergonomics...the riding position we put ourselves in, unless perfectly upright, puts all the weight of our 10lb head on the small muscles of our lower neck and upper shoulders.  even with the stock bars, you are in a slightly forward lean.
your head is too heavy for your muscles. you put a 10lb bowling ball on the end of a stick in your hand, tip it forward and see how long you can hold it    you are doing the same thing to those posterior neck muscles.
anti-inflamatory meds will do you good for just that, but they wont fix it.
if you have NO vertibrae misaligned, which only imaging will show, you will benefit from some form of shoulder and back exercises to strengthen the area between your shoulder blades to withstand the strain.  Go see your physician....

(ex AT-C, PTA, LMP)