Question
Last week I had a pain in my neck on the right side, what older people called a "crook in the neck", probably from sleeping incorrectly.  This week I have a throbbing pain in my right arm - feels like I have the flu in my arm. The pain is throbbing, it goes from my shoulders to my fingertips, I can hardly write.  It feels like I have a chill/fever in my arm - if that's not too crazy.  Sometimes I can't move it or even hold a pen.

Answer
Hi, Sonja,

First of all, the technical term is "crick" in the neck.  Nixon was a crook.  Do you have him in your neck?

All seriousness aside, when the nerves that go from your neck down your arm get trapped by tight muscles, you get the sensation you described.

Best to see a somatics practitioner, who can help you learn to relax those muscles.  A list is found by going to somatics.com and clicking the PRACTITIONERS link at the top of the page.  Articles on the method are also found there.

If there is no one practicing nearby, get a copy of The Magic of Somatics, an instructional book that can teach you how to control those muscles.  Free preview:  send blank email to [email protected].

with regard,
Lawrence Gold