Post lockdown aching neck and arms !

It might be an idea to do a warm up before you drive next time. Some gentle head rolls for your neck for example and gently circling your arms, in one direction then another.

Were you feeling anxious about driving again Scissordolly as that would have made you tense and could explain why your arms and neck ache?

I wouldn’t give up but try to look at what’s going on? Do you need to alter your driving position? Move your seat etc? Are you tensing up while out on the roads due to anxiety?

Are you sure the two things are connected Scissordolly? I've never had an aching neck and arms even after driving very long distances.

We carry a lot of tension in our neck and shoulders. Maybe you have stiffened up over lockdown. Look on line for a site called More Health Life Seniors. I think he is a NZ guy and he does lots of simple stretching routines which are very easy to follow.

Yes- tension is carried in necks and shoulders, its been a tense time. Additionally, maybe you have done less exercise. The site Crazy mentions sounds interesting. Also, you can google exercises for aching neck and arms - keep moving or you will stiffen up even more x

Have you been spending a lot of time on the internet during lockdown? Sitting at a computer for long periods can cause muscle tension in the shoulders and back of the neck.
Try doing yoga, that will help to loosen up your whole body.

I spotted a man out walking and he had a long stick held in front of him. To me he looked as if he was doing canoeing actions. When I caught up with him of course I had to comment of his exercise regime. Told me his arms and neck had seized up and it was to help loosen them up. May be worth a try.

You might find it helpful to get a drivers seat back support. Here is a sample sold on Amazon
www.amazon.co.uk/slp/driving-back-support/uvncqod7wfvt5sb?tag=gransnetforum-21

then adjust you seat so that you feel really comfortable before you set off and make sure all your mirrors are OK from this new position.

As others have said a few arming up exercises are a good ide.

Keep driving safely. And get out when you can and it is safe for you to do so.l

Are you driving an elderly vehicle that doesn’t have power steering? I would be surprised if you would get aching arms from driving with power steering as the steering wheel can be turned easily with just one hand. Also are your tyres fully pumped up - if they are not fully inflated this can cause ‘heavy’ steering.

I put the aching upper arms down to all the extra gardeningI have been doing recently.

I have an aching arm. Doc says it’s shoulder impingement possibly caused by knitting!!!! Suggested naproxen and exercises from utube. I think it’s from leaning over iPad !!

Go gently. Don’t give up. You may regret it. Little and often. Probably anxiety and using those parts of the body again which will be holding the stress. Some gentle massage and some Arnica pills may help. (Get them in a health food shop)

Google 'upper back and neck warm up'. You may find something there that clicks with you. Also as others say, little and often until your body and mind are comfortable with it again. As the advert used to say 'Happy Motoring'!

Thankyou everyone for your advice. You are very kind to take an interest. I think it's down to stress.

It might be an idea to get checked out for deterioration of the bones in the kneck first. Could be that this is only just coming to light. This can cause aching arms too.

Saw a doc on Thursday about this sort of problem. He gave me codeine on top of the painkillers I have been taking for the last 12 weeks. He asked a lot of questions about how I spent my time and has given me a list of exercise suggestions and asked the physio Dept to contact me as soon as that is available.
Thanks for your post. I hope you soon feel better. The helpful suggestions on here were good to read. ?

I too have started with pain in my neck and arm. DD who is a physio assessed me and said it was likely to be my posture (which isn’t that great anyway) But as I have been sitting more using a phone iPad or knitting I have probably built up tension and stress in my neck. Don’t give up driving, this is Something that can be rectified with exercise.

A chiropractor could probably sort you out.

I have the same problem, although I notice it when driving I am sure the cause is holding ipad/kindle all day!

I hope you get sorted Scissordolly. As suggested, perhaps a few warm-up exercises before you set off might help and maybe a rest halfway to stretch your legs. etc.
I've been sitting about sewing and reading but what I think has set off my back pain was planting a large trough a few weeks ago. My back hasn't been right since, with the occasional violent twinge. I must take my own advice for moving around more and I hope it helps for you too.

Try some Bowen Therapy to reset your muscles etc. It is brilliant.