Question
My daughter who is 6 woke up yesterday complaining of a sore neck I assumed it was stiffness from incorrect sleeping posture and told her to take it easy at school that day. When she came home she was still stiff and sore and was trying not to turn her head much I assumed still that it was a pulled muscle and would get better with rest.

Today she said it was feeling a bit better and she didn't seem to be favouring it to much but her aunty who she spent the day with has rang me to say she is feeling sore again and there is a lump on the back of her neck, I have tried to get her an appt with my GP but they are booked out and wont be open over the easter holidays, I was wondering if this sounds like a pulled muscle or something more serious and what I should do until I can get her to the GP is it necessary to go to the emergency at hospital perhaps?

Answer
I don't want to give you wrong information without doing a proper exam myself.  It does sound muscular, but there could be some other underlying problems, such as subluxation (chiropractic term for bone out of place).  I suggest seeing a chiropractor.  Most have openings or can get you in for a consult within a couple days.  I am a member of a group of chiropractors that I recommend to everyone that writes to me.  Go to www.sorsi.com to locate a doctor near you.  I am in St. Paul, Minnesota and would be more than happy to see your daughter.  Until you see someone, you can ice the area to help reduce the swelling, 10 minutes at a time multiple times throughout the day.  If you have any other questions or concerns please email me.

Dr. Starbuck