What can i do for a stiff painful neck? my neck has been killing me for a week. when it first started it was so painful i was crying &could barely move. its all on the left in the back. ive tried ice, heat, hot showers, tylenol, motrin &voltaren?

A stiff neck, or torticollis, could be caused by a muscle spasm or a disc herniation. Without a history of trauma, muscle spasm is the most common cause. However, if associated with headaches and fever, meningitis becomes concerning. Muscle spasms typically take up to 2 weeks to resolve. Muscle relaxers can be prescribed to help. A full medical evaluation can rule out the other causes.

It has been a week so I expect the pain and stiffness have improved. Neck pain is very common and neck exercise + changing neck position during work or sleep will prevent the recurrence. If your stomach is fine, continue to take Ibuprofen 600 mg every 6-8 hrs as needed for one more week and begin neck exercise (you can google for the method) and change the pillow if applicable.