Who do I talk to about this?

[ArcticChicken]

So, I have this really bizarre problem. When I wear anything too close to my neck, my neck gets super stiff and I get a splitting headache. Which means I can't wear necklaces, or, more importantly, shirts with a close collar. This is a problem because my chosen career is one that requires at least business casual dress. I'd rather not spend all day at work with a splitting headache, that will seriously interfere with my ability to do my job. But I really have no idea who to talk to. I have an appointment with my PCP on an unrelated topic next week, so I'll ask her then, but if anyone has any ideas, that would be awesome.

[csquared]

I am a big fan of chiropractics. My uneducated guess is that you may have some muscle tension issues. Ask your PCP about that. She may recommend some stretching exercises.

While your dress code may require a shirt with a collar, look for larger collars. I know women's sizes are more difficult to deal with. Myself, I will not buy a dress shirt unless I can get the collar size I need. No 2XLs. It has to be a 19x37, extra tall or I won't touch it.

[MoonCat]

Can you wear nice polo-style shirts? The collar can usually be a little more "open" on those. Or something with a V-neck (not too low)?

Also here is something about tension that I learned during my endless dentist visits: Tension is often centered in your shoulders and neck. Deliberately "unclench" your shoulders...lower them, and if it helps to visualize it, picture tension sliding off your shoulders like water. This will also lessen the tension in your neck muscles. It's worth a try.

[EvilEmpryss]

Tension is often centered in your shoulders and neck. Deliberately "unclench" your shoulders...lower them, and if it helps to visualize it, picture tension sliding off your shoulders like water. This will also lessen the tension in your neck muscles. It's worth a try.

One part that might help make this more effective is to intentionally tighten your muscles before relaxing them, going through the process Mooncat describes.

And you might check on exactly what your employer considers "business casual". You may find that collared shirts aren't necessary for females (I'm assuming you are one ). Pretty blouses with decorative collars in other shapes might be acceptable, even if no one's wearing them. Remember sheeple: they'll do what everyone else is doing, just assuming that's what they're supposed to be doing!

[Sapphire Silk]

I have the same issue. It's one reason I seldom wear jewelry, and avoid collars. My neck is very short. I can't hang my stethoscope on my neck like most health care professionals. Instant migraine.

Before seeing a chiropractor, see your PCP and make sure you have no vascular issues. If the PCP is fine with a chiropractor, then go for it.

But you may just be better off modifying your clothing and jewelry choices.

[Seshat]

Again, see your family doctor (by whatever title - I'm assuming PCP is the US 'family doctor'), he or she can check for clinical signs that point towards vascular, skeletal, muscle, neural or whatever problems.

She will then be able to direct you to the 'mainstream' therapies appropriate to whatever she finds. She might also direct you to 'alternative' therapies.

In the meantime, something which I think can't hurt (but check with a pharmacist or your PCP): heat packs.
Heat is a muscle relaxant. Warm up a heat pack to the point where it's comfortably hot - ie, it won't burn your skin, but it does feel 'hot' or 'very warm'. Rest it over your neck while you do something which involves sitting or lying down; or while you just plain relax.
If your problem is muscle tension, and there's nothing preventing your muscles from relaxing, regular heat therapy and/or regular massage and/or regular meditation should settle it down.
Edit: I wish to emphasise the word 'if' there. Don't let this put you off or delay seeing your doctor. I used both IF and SHOULD: your doctor is the one who will be able to get rid of the weasel words.


Of the alternative therapies I'd consider in this case:

Chiropractic specialises in skeletal problems.
Myotherapy is a new-ish specialty, and specialises in muscle problems; including the various causes of muscle tension, and including muscles and their related tendons being out of alignment.
Osteopathy covers both skeletal and muscle issues.

Acupuncture and acupressure - when done by someone who truly knows what they're doing - do work. The background information about ki and chi lines and so forth may (or may not) be accurate.
However, many (most?) of the acupuncture and acupressure points are points where muscle tension tends to centre; especially if you're prone to a special kind of muscle tension called trigger points.
When my muscle tension is too intense for me to bear her actually working on the trigger point, my myotherapist puts an acupuncture needle on the spot, and simply massages the skin near it lightly. This causes the needle to move slightly, just enough to focus muscle-releasing movement on the exact position of the trigger point.
In other words; whether the background information is right or wrong, the Asians hit on a valid solution by use of empirical science.

[Sapphire Silk]

PCP is a Primary Care Provider in this context (ie, not the drug).

It usually means a physician, but can mean a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner in some cases.

[Seshat]

Thanks!

Around here (Aussieland, for the few who don't know), a GP - general practitioner - is almost always the family doctor, or effectively 'primary care provider'. Nurse Practitioners exist, but usually serve remote communities which are too small to keep a GP busy, or are part of the paramedic teams for big events.

I don't think we have 'physician's assistant' as a separate specialty, except perhaps as a specialty of 'nurse'.

Anyway .. yes, you'd see your PCP. ANYTHING involving the neck is high risk. Find out if the doctor can determine a reason for your unusual degree of sensitivity.

Can you wear a loosely knotted scarf? In a very very light fabric? Because that would conceal a multitude of 'neckline sins' re business casual wear.

[Sapphire Silk]

Can you wear a loosely knotted scarf? In a very very light fabric? Because that would conceal a multitude of 'neckline sins' re business casual wear.

If you're asking me, not really. I suspect my Asperger's has a lot to do with it; the sensations of anything being on my neck is just too much for me.

[ArcticChicken]

Can you wear a loosely knotted scarf? In a very very light fabric? Because that would conceal a multitude of 'neckline sins' re business casual wear.

No. I can usually wear a winter scarf for about half an hour or so, but today I was having trouble with my hat coming below my hairline. It's weird, and incredibly annoying.

[fireheart]

I don't think we have 'physician's assistant' as a separate specialty, except perhaps as a specialty of 'nurse'.
.

I actually asked this question myself sometime ago (after binge-watching ER).

The answers are here.

Re the business shirt issue, I'd second the PCP checkup.