My chronic stiff neck (8 terrible months) is FINALLY getting better. Pain is minimal and related shoulder/upper back pain is waning as well.
I feel like a new person !!!! .....except for my painful tongue (see other post) and occasional dopey brain fog.
I am now (hopefully) convinced that mystiff neck, etc. was Lyme inflamation of the Occipital, Cervical and Supraclavicular lymph nodes.
I looked at a diagram of the lymph nodes of the neck and saw that the locations were EXACTLY where my neck pain has been.
If I'm right, it's no wonder deep massage only made things worse! I believe it just aggravated them and released too much toxin. Major herx after neck massages!
I hope that the antibiotics I'm now taking---especially Ceftin which is the latest addition to my combo protocol-- has reached these nodes and kicked out the Lyme infection.
If so, this is a great relief because it means that I don't have a spinal/cervical/arthritic condition after all.
Fingers crossed that my neck pain goes away completely.... and very soon.
Here's the link that shows nodes. If you have a stiff neck, maybe it's from inflamation.
Lymph nodes - head and neck | Diagram | Patient UK