Just so you all know, the topic icon is a scream of extreme agony.
Yesterday afternoon, just as I was getting out of English class to be precise, I had this stiff feeling in my neck. Chemistry class it got worse. I found out later I'd pinched a nerve, and gosh darn it all, I wish I hadn't! Do you all know when this might blow over? It is hard for me to lie down, not to mention the fact that I have to turn my entire body when I look right.

Ow, ow, ow..

<font color="cadetblue">That's happened to me a couple of times. It usually goes away in a couple of days. Just sit tight (no pun intended) for a few days and it'll all be gone.</font>

A couple of things you can do, actually.
I have done worse.

See a massage therapist, they can work out the muscle so it isn't pinched.

Do some stretches. Very slowly and carefully. Working out the muscles is truly a help.

Good luck. :D

Hot shower. Slowly increase the heat until it's nearly scalding, GENTLY rubbing the spot to help ease the tension.

forget hot shower... take a warm/hot BATH! soothe away the nerves

Nah, not for a pinched nerve in the neck. Unless he has a very large tub, he'd have to sink too low to heat up the damaged area. And the water doesn't stay as hot in a bath. Plus, the pelting of the water drops -- especially if you have decent water pressure from the showerhead -- can give a relaxing mini-massage.

idea! ok saw this item at the show. someone was selling brown rice-filled packs. you heat it in the microwave up to an safe temperature and can lay it across the neck.
a rolled-up pillowcase filled with 6 cups of rice should do it.

Those rice filled packs actually work fairly well. They hold the heat for a good amount of time, and they can be reheated several times over. But they do smell of steamed rice.

So throw some soy sauce on and eat it when your done! [img]smile.gif[/img]

If you want to keep that from being as likely to happen again, you might need a new mattress or new pillow. That might not keep it from happening again, though. Gotten that kind of can't-turn-your-head-to-one-side pain from sleeping on my back with my head turned, but some of those chairs they have in school can make your back or neck hurt, too.
Those weird looking little wood or plastic things can feel suprisingly good, if you can get someone to rub the aching spot for you.