Minor Injuries

[The Transient]

Minor injuries have been setting me back for sometime now (Jammed thumb, strained back muscle, strained neck muscle etc...) The injuries are likely due to poor technique, but I also suspect a few of them were just freak accidents.

A week ago I felt a slight discomfort in my neck towards the end of a set of bench pressing. I thought nothing of it and went on with my routine. On the walk home it felt a little tender so I decided to ice it when I got back. It's been bothering me ever since. The pain isn't too severe, in fact, its very slight and only occurs when I raise my arm.

My main problem is determining when it's okay for me to work out again. On one hand, I really want to get back in the gym so that I don't lose progress. On the other, I'm terrified that I'll worsen the injury so much so that I won't be able to work out for an extended period of time. I'm sure you guys encounter many small injuries like this. Do you push through slight discomfort?

Note: I'm working to correct any technique issues that could be causing these injuries, but some of them are just unpreventable.