During summer break i did very little working out( I know i'm stupid...never again am i doing this 'break') but now that i am back in school I started to work out again, i.e. weights,push ups, but more importantly I've started sparring again. Now something I do is I take 5 lb. weights and play out the punches I would normally do, this in the past has made me faster..not to sure if it makes me punch harder....anyways lately this week I've gotten these muscles in the side but near to the back muscles pains in my neck...It gets to a point where its stiff and i if i don't stop gets even more stiffer...I am hoping somebody will be able to tell me what is causing the problem and if I can/should continue my working out...I am 13 by the way.

Hi Raven
Would suggest you drop using the weights at normal punching angles, it works negatively and could be affecting your neck. You should rest until the pain goes with soft stretching as the stiffness eases. Remember to control your punches if you are hitting to air as otherwise the impact of the "jerk" at the end of your arm will usually pull on the traps/delts causing the pain you describe.

As you are back at school are you sure that your posture at the desk/computer couldn't be the cause or a contributory factor?

Steve

Raven, you really shouldn't ask questions like this on a forum.

Bossman's advice may be good but in the end he's not a doctor.

So my advice is go see a Doctor then ask advice on a forum then check it with your doctor.

I can't stress this enough.

Problem is the Doctor will say take 2 aspirins, go home and stop training. These pains are common MA pains and mostly caused by over reaching when you punch (particularly if you hold weights). Can also be exacerbated by bad posture if you are slumped over a computer.

Steve

Go and see a good doctor.

There are alternatives osteopaths, applied kinesiology etc etc but these are still qualified professional.

There is no way asking on a chat room board problems can be diagnosed and resolved - especially by people that aren't doctors.

I do agree that fixing yourself is an excepted part of life - but if you gather info from realiable sources and not internet message boards (sorry Bossman not accusing but for all I know you could be a potty 67 year old dutch lady).

Although I will say I don't think Bossman's advice is bad, in fact a 13 year old shouldn't really be using weights anyway - I would stick to your body weight.

Sorry I just re-read my posts and they seem rude.

Raven if you want advice ask for it be don't take it as gospel, most of the Martial Arts that I have stretch completly wrong for example.

So get a few ideas, have a look around and then take the ideas you have collected to the doctor and see if it is safe for you.

For all we know you could have a bone disorder you are not telling us about or anything - you doctor will know this background.

UK Fightfreak said:
I do agree that fixing yourself is an excepted part of life - but if you gather info from realiable sources and not internet message boards (sorry Bossman not accusing but for all I know you could be a potty 67 year old dutch lady).

So you DO know me!! :-D I think that for any injury you should get specialist help, in the UK that's not usually your doctor. A sports injury specialist is usually far better.

Steve

awwwww Bossman and UKFightfreak made into an after school special XD. Well its not serious and no i don't have any bone disorders, besides its gone so thanks anyways guys!

I used to get a stiff neck quite regulary until I started getting treatment from a chiropractor, now I see my chiro about every 6-8 weeks and hardly ever suffer from stiff neck.

OK, going back on everything I have said - its up to you in the end.

Buy matt furey's combat conditioning and do the neck exercises out of that, your neck will be strong flexible and free from pain.