swelling in the back of the neck and back in fibro especially during a flare-up is usually due to painful muscle spasms and bulging. muscles that go into spasms will shorten in length meaning they become thicker or bulge up. this appears as a swollen area to observe and one can feel the lump or muscle swelling as well. it's not a true edema or fluid-type swelling. heat or ice can help painful swelling/knots/nodules/spasms in the muscles. i prefer heat but some like cold better. massage stretching and rubbing in a muscle cream are other types of self-directed treatments that may help and can be done by anyone anywhere. [a] doctor may consider prescribed treatments if the self-program does not settle down the pain. . i have tried heat and medications for the fibro flare ups but i don't know what else to do. this has been going on for 3 straight weeks and going to work on a computer makes it worse.
what can i do about swelling in my back and the back of my neck during a fibromyalgia flare?