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Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:17 am
by LDVM4334
Inevitable, right? How to combat? I plan on popping about 800 mg ibuprofen before the exam so I won't be distracted by that during, but would rather not take that much/that often every day til then while I study.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:34 am
by MKX
Work out. Use a foam roller to massage your back. I usually wake up, do some LR or a game, get a lift in. Come home and either drill, PT, or do practice timed sections, and if I feel burned out go for a run, come back and do a little more. Very refreshing to get those work outs in.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:47 am
by LDVM4334
MKX wrote:Work out. Use a foam roller to massage your back. I usually wake up, do some LR or a game, get a lift in. Come home and either drill, PT, or do practice timed sections, and if I feel burned out go for a run, come back and do a little more. Very refreshing to get those work outs in.

While my working out has admittedly suffered a bit, I'm still in pretty good shape overall. I think maybe it has more to do with my posture and from sitting for 4-5 hours consecutively. Maybe better chairs? I dunno.

What Would Don Draper do? Make himself an old fashioned, presumably.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:51 am
by Nova
it gets worse during 1L :lol:

Some people like using book stands to avoid bending their neck so far down. Seems legit.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:52 am
by LDVM4334
Nova wrote:it gets worse during 1L :lol:

Some people like using book stands to avoid bending their neck so far down. Im sure it could help.
I suppose for me it's the actual act of testing, as opposed to reading. I can read on my back, in bed, sitting up comfortably, and in a variety of other ways.

But to actually take the test, with a scantron, is pretty limiting.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:26 am
by Clearly
I refer to this condition as "LSAT neck" with dedicated students lol

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:31 am
by californiauser
Went on a marathon LSAT review session and then tried to golf. My hips were so stiff it looked like I'd never swung a club before in my life. Hip flexor stretches help a ton.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:47 pm
by LDVM4334
I want more input on this.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 12:01 am
by magickware
Everyday do hip flexor stretches and the (quite painful if you haven't done them frequently) hip flexor stretches with your foot anchored on top of a chair or some bench. Both of them will work great at stretching out your entire hip musculature and loosen things up a bit. Unfortunately will not help all that much during the actual test, but if you're stretching daily then the soreness and tightness should be reduced on test day.

Try doing neck strengthening exercises (Just basically apply resistance with your hands while you move your head towards said resistance direction. Aim for maximum RoM) every once in a while. It should help wake your neck muscles up.

But, ya, there's very little you can do to actually remove sore neck and lower back while taking the test. Sore back is best dealt with via deadlifts, but I don't think you can strengthen your back enough to remove lower back pain by Monday. Sore neck is unavoidable afaik.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 3:35 am
by LDVM4334
Okay, for me, the problem area is the right upper back/shoulder/neck problem. AKA the area I am bubbling with.

I try to sit with good posture when reading, but it doesn't work.

I have some stretches for the area, but I can't do them between every section.

My other alternative is a few ibuprofen before the test/during the test.

I wish I wasn't thinking about this the day before the exam.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:28 pm
by Rosalita
Tiger balm works miracles on your neck. It's kind of like icy hot, but works A LOT better and is more designed for neck pain. I even use it when I have bad headaches. Something you could pick up before the exam tomorrow at most drug stores or regular stores. One disclaimer, it doesn't smell awesome, (like other icy hot kind of products) but if you put it on the smell should be gone or be diminished within 15-20 minutes.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 11:03 pm
by Lincoln
Just wait until Big Law.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 1:44 am
by Clearly
Rosalita wrote:Tiger balm works miracles on your neck. It's kind of like icy hot, but works A LOT better and is more designed for neck pain. I even use it when I have bad headaches. Something you could pick up before the exam tomorrow at most drug stores or regular stores. One disclaimer, it doesn't smell awesome, (like other icy hot kind of products) but if you put it on the smell should be gone or be diminished within 15-20 minutes.
It'd be like unleashing mustard gas on your test center. Plus, if you haven't tried it, don't put it on before the LSAT. It's not a subtle feeling and could very well be distracting.

Re: Sore neck/back from studying?

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:47 am
by Dr. Dre
I get sore but I don't pussy out

I keep going