How can I avoid neck pain when riding rollercoasters?

June 10, 2010 9:25 AM

I get neck pain from tensing my neck up whenever I ride rollercoasters. It's either like my neck is in lock-down mode or my head is getting battered every which way. Is there a way to cope with this so I can continue to enjoy rollercoasters? Or now that I'm 25 and decrepit do I have to stand on the sidelines and hold everyone's sno-cones?

I'm not afraid of rollecoasters and they're fun, but a real pain in the neck! I have pretty constant "tense" neck pain all the time, exacerbated by stress. When it's super bad I take some ibuprofen, but I've never taken anything stronger. I'm open to both natural/physical fitness suggestions and pharmacological ideas. Thanks.

posted by ShadePlant to health & fitness (11 answers total)

I cannot address your specific issue, but I do know that, as one ages, the vestibular system gets wonky, and reacts poorly to motion like swings, merry-go-rounds, and amusement park rides.

So it's a matter of time, regardless.
posted by Danf at 9:28 AM on June 10, 2010

Sadly, probably the only long term solution to this would be to only ride the roller coasters that have over-the-shoulder safety bars that allow you to rest your head against the firm cushion. Riding the coasters that only have lap bars with no upper body restraints is basically cruisin' for a bruisin'.
posted by Burhanistan at 9:34 AM on June 10, 2010

If possible, try shrugging your shoulders. The tension should migrate down a bit to your upper back, which is better able to deal with it, and your shoulders keep your head from knocking around so much. This is the advice given to newbies to bobsled, which was way, way rougher than ANY rollercoaster I've been on.
posted by BlooPen at 9:47 AM on June 10, 2010

raise your arms up! it will prevent you from bracing yourself with your arms to tense your neck.
posted by rhizome at 10:28 AM on June 10, 2010

Learn the yoga dog and cat position, do that every day and you will be prepared for the coasters.
posted by cda at 10:35 AM on June 10, 2010

which rollercoasters are you riding? Anything made by vecoma or s&s will be rough no matter what you do.
posted by majortom1981 at 10:41 AM on June 10, 2010

I had the same problem, and now when I ride, I make sure to press my head against the headrest. Made a big difference to me.
posted by gjc at 1:54 PM on June 10, 2010

It's been several years since I was on a coaster; can't do that anymore, sadly. I recall the same problem you're having now. I *think* what I did was press into the seat back with my upper back/shoulders; that kept my head against the headrest without tensing up my neck.
posted by galadriel at 2:03 PM on June 10, 2010

I'm with majortom1981 on this one one. There are so many different styles of rides and so many custom designs that it hard to say that you should always be enjoying yourself on every ride. This coupled with the fact that rides change over time (especially wooden coasters) along with the variability of human's shapes means not everyone is going to have a good time. I love, love, love love roller coasters but there are some rides that I think you have to be a severe masochist to subject yourself to.
posted by mmascolino at 2:36 PM on June 10, 2010

Most people I've met that have this complaint are staying rigid and keeping their spine in a line. I always tell them to pretend you're driving a car on the track and lean into it as you would if you were taking a turn quickly -- that is, lean in the direction of the turn, tip your neck that way, and look where you're going. You'll keep yourself stable with significantly less effort (and pain).
posted by bfranklin at 7:23 PM on June 10, 2010

bfranklin said what i was going to say. this works (for me); i think i've always just done it naturally--i guess maybe somewhere in my head, i'm the daredevil roller coaster driver! VRROOM! or something.

however, there are some roller coasters that are just unforgiving, and if you've tried to "pilot" one of those, you know there's no help for it--you're going to be in some pain later. the old steel phantom at kennywood was that way--too fun for words as far as drops, curves, etc, but the "headrests" were, i swear, plasti-dipped bricks. signs in the waiting area told passengers to remove all earrings and sunglasses. it was brutal. after i rode it (okay, twice, i confess), i walked around for three or four days with bruised head/neck. crazy.

most coasters aren't like that, though, and if you "drive" them (or "fly" them, like a fighter jet, whatever seems more natural to you), you'll stay loose and not end up with a stiff neck.
posted by miss patrish at 10:31 PM on June 10, 2010