I smashed my shoulder into the pool wall 5 days ago and now I can’t move my neck or shoulder without a lot of pain.

You probably pulled a muscle, but other possibilities included injury to your facet joints or disk.  If you think you broke your neck or have any arm or leg pain, numbness, weakness, clumsiness or bowel and bladder problems you should see your doctor right away.  If not I would recommend rest, anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen or naproxen (if fine with your doctor) and neck stretching.

Neck Stretch Routine: Take a hot shower and heat and loosen your neck:

1. Bend neck forward and hold in position with arm stretching neck 30 seconds

2. Bend neck backwards 30 seconds

3. Bend neck right 30 seconds

4. Bend neck left 30 seconds

5. Turn neck right 30 seconds

6. Turn left 30 seconds

Complete 3 sets of stretching routine. Good Luck!

If pain persists or you develop any arm or leg pain, numbness, weakness, clumsiness or bowel and bladder problems you should see your doctor right away.  If this fails to help you may benefit formal physical therapy and consultation with spine surgeon.   For more information please contact Executive Spine Surgery.  Good Luck!