Pinched nerve in neck

[Propane Cylinder]

I have a client that just sent me an e-mail asking about massage. She went to the doctor but the x-ray didn't show anything and he told her it was muscular or a pinched nerve and is causing headaches and other neck pain. She is a violinist so her neck already causes her problems and now this is just one big aggravation. She cannot take any deep work at all and even her rubbing her neck causes her pain. I would like to try myofascial release on her and see how that feels but I'm wondering if anyone else has any recommendations on what she can do for self care before she can get in to see me.

 

[Henock]

What part of her neck?? Anterior?? Posterior?? Left? Right??

Are her scalenes tight? Can you get under her collar bone??

 

[Susanna M]

I haven't even seen her since this happened, but I am assuming that it is posterior in the cervical region and upper traps as those are chronic problem areas for her....

 

[Maz]

What about a warm pack, or arnica gel, or stretching?

 

[Little Dog]

I think I would be inclined to start out as palpable has suggested with warmth and perhaps something topical like the arnica, or some essential oils which are anti-spasmodic in nature.
In addition I would probably start out by having the client do some eye and tongue exercises... I won't repost them here as I've already described them in a different thread. It's a whiplash treatment technique I learned from Diana Thompson author of "Hands Heal." She said it's great to use when an area is too sore for the client to allow you to work on it.

Crash Boom Ahhh!
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2357

Hopefully after you assist them with the eye and tongue exercises (by stabilizing their head in a neutral position) and a few minutes of discussion... they may trust you to do a little more hands on work. Concentrate on breath and take everything micro-slow. Hopefully that'll help. If the client is still experiencing spasm ice packs might be helpful after treatment.