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neck pain

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Q: neck pain?
I’m 32 yrs old and I have been having neck pain on the left side of my neck now for about 2 weeks. The pain is really bad at times. If I tilt my head to the left I feel like I have to struggle to get it very far and it causes some added pain. If I tilt my head to the right it feels like it goes further alot easier with less pain. It causes the top of my left shoulder to hurt at times. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this is or if I need to see a Dr.

A: Definately go to an orthopedic doctor. That is who you will have to find anyways. It sounds like you could have something going on with a disc or actually with your shoulder. You could have a small lesion or tear in your shoulder too. The only way to get a definitive diagnosis is to go see the doctor and get an xray and possibly an MRI. Take ibuprofen for now as that will help with any inflammation caused in the injury. Make that apt. and good luck!!

Q: Neck Pain?
I have an odd neck pain, its in my front neck, unlike most neck pains. I dont have any chest pain, or shoulder/back pain, or numbness or anything like that. I just get this occasional, sudden, and very painful kink in my neck, on both sides of my throat and wind pipe.. does anyone have any idea whats causing this? It generally happens when i lay down, or slouch. but its happend while standing too. but it lasts for 5-30seconds then goes away. Any Ideas?

A: A doctor would want to check your arteries in your neck from your heart. A sign of heart disease, another sign is your esophagus, stomach problems. A hytal hernia. Theres various other things it could be but, I would check with my doctor, the heart could be the problem and you’d want that checked right away.

Q: Neck pain?
I have a really bad pain in my neck. I woke up 3 days ago and i was in pain and it hasn’t gone since anyone have any suggestions on what it is or how to get rid of it?Thanx!

A: If you haven’t injured the area, it may be simply muscle tension/stress. Ibuprofen works well for pain and inflammation. Heating pad, or rice socks will generate circulation, helping heal the muscles. Valerian works well for muscle tension/strain, take as directed. Purchase a foam cervical collar to wear at home after work. It will help support your head and give your neck time to heal. They cost about 20bucks.

Q: nEcK pAiN!!!!!!!?
if i turn my head or tilt it towards the left a sharp pain shoots up the left side of my neck and radiates through my shoulder….At first i could moove my head off my right shoulder but now i can sorta go to maybe a 45 degree angle to the left of straight forword but this is after like 9 hours
I had a soccer game and headed this one ball that was really up high but……i also slept in a weird position

A: There are two possible answers for this problem. One is that you pulled one of the neck muscles. Two, this one is the more likely based on the information that was given. You have injured a facet joint in your neck. While this sounds serious it will heal without too much of a problem if you treat it correctly. First off if there is no improvement in about two days go to a doctor or a physical therapist. If your state has direct access then you can go to a therapist without a referral. If not then see your doctor for a referral. For immediate treatment use ice on the area for fifteen to twenty minutes every hour. This will help reduce the pain, spasm, and swelling that has or is taking place. You could also use a soft cervical collar during the day when your neck feels tired. Also use it at night when you sleep. You can get one at a local pharmacy or medical supply house. If there is none around you can take a hand towel and fold it length wise into thirds. Secure it around your neck with tape or a safety pin. Make sure that it is not too tight but just snug enough to give support. When the pain starts to decrease you may lie on the floor and use a rolling pin under your neck. Just lie on it for a while until your neck relaxes and then gently push the rolling pin along the floor towards your head and hold it there for a few seconds up to a minute or two. Longer if you are able but not at first or the neck might rebound into more pain. This is a gentle form of traction that should help relieve some of the spasms and pain. Turn your head as much as possible but only in ways that don’t generate pain. Lastly my best suggestion to you is to see a physical therapist who will work on the neck to break up the spasms, work on mobility, decrease pain, and strengthen the neck. The last part is particularly important for it will strengthen the area and reduce the possibility of having another episode. They sometimes will happen with the smallest movement if not treated correctly. Remember no heat just ice until there is no more pain!

Q: When does neck and back pain start to occur during pregnancy?
When does the actual neck and back pain usually occur? I’m almost a month pregnant and I woke up this morning experiencing the worst back of my neck and back pain! I’m experiencing stiffness and sharp pains everytime I bend my head neck or back forward, even when I’m sitting down. Has any woman experienced this kind of back pain? When does back and neck pain usually start during pregnancy?

A: It could just be stress for you or you could have pulled a muscle.

Since you are only a month pregnant, I wouldn’t think that the neck and back pain was from pregnancy.

A cause for neck and back pain is because of the increase in hormones which causes a shift in joints and can loosen ligaments which could cause posture to change and a less support for your back.

Another reason is once you become bigger and actually have a pretty big belly, your center of gravity will change and this causes a different posture that your body isn’t used to., which over time will cause pain. Also when the baby becomes bigger and you start to gain more weight, your back has to support more weight in a different area than it’s used to. Ever carry a heavy back pack around all day and your back begins to hurt? It’s like that, only in your belly.

You can start to help symptoms of this by using pillows between your legs to even out your back while you are sleeping. There are also certain pregnancy pillows that are made specifically for pregnant women.

I started feeling back pain around 20 weeks. I’m also very small built and very short, and carrying a baby and baby weight for me was a struggle. You’ll start feeling pain once you put on more baby weight and your belly gets bigger, but it can all depend on your build.

Good luck to you!

Q: What causes throbbing pain that originates in neck but shoots into head and eye?
I have a sharp pain in my neck that seems to “shoot” into my head. It’s like a mixture between a sinus headache and neck pain, but only on the right side of my head.

I have been in pain for more than 2 weeks. I thought it would go away, but I don’t even know what kind of doctor to go to.

A: It could be a tension headache, but the neck pain worries me.
I’ll give you some warning signs to look for:
Pain behind the eye
Dilated pupils
Behavior changes
Inability to focus
What you could classify as the “worst headache of your life”
These are symptoms of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, which is extremely life-threatening.
An aneurysm that has not ruptured can cause pain, slurred speech, confusion, certain stroke symptoms…
If this pain has been going on for two weeks, I would definitely go to the emergency room to get a CT scan.
Headaches can be benign, or they can be killers.
You have what is characterized as a secondary headache, meaning that it may be organic in origin.

Colin B.
(M.D, PhD)
Internal Medicine

Q: How long until my neck pain goes away while seeing a chiropractor?
I’ve been going to a chiropractor for 9 weeks now, going twice a week. I started out with severe neck and shoulder pain. The pain has decreased drastically, but still have some pain. My mid back is extremely tight and not adjusting when I go. My dr. says neck and shoulder pain take longer to fix, but how long will I continue to have pain?
Ooops, I just read that says 9 weeks, I meant to type 3 weeks.

A: I’ve worked in the chiropractic field for 10+ years.

You should ask him if he’s in favor of placing a hot pack on your mid back for 10+ minutes before he adjusts you. This will help relax your mid back muscles and he should be able to get some movement.

As for how long it will take to “fix” – each patient is different as is each injury. But be prepared to continue with a “maintenance program” even after the pain goes away. Most Chiropractors like to keep you under their care for a minimum of 12 months.

I wish you a speedy recovery soon!

Q: What is the very best pillow to combat neck pain?
I am in pain every day. I have tried rubbing the neck with liniment and applying hot wheat bags, even exercises for the neck, but the pain is right up the back of the neck , to the lower head on one side A doctor suggested a pinched nerve but this has gone on for weeks . Is there a pillow to give some relief?

A: If you are in that much pain I would expect you have had a physical, orthopedic and neurological exam and xrays. Your level of pain and the duration aren’t normal. Anything that is as painful as you have described probably won’t respond very fast to a pillow. In the immediate situation I would suggest using ice and heat in alternation. Finish with cold. It may feel better with heat on the involved area but this allows the inflammation to stay there, and can become painful again quickly. Alternating the two has a pumping mechanism effect and gets new blood and fluids into the area and helps with inflammation removal. See a qualified practitioner as soon as possible and get some treatment.

Q: How to relieve neck pain at the very top/back of the neck?
Not a muscle kind of pain. Dead center of the back of my neck, more like the bottom/back of my head. Feels like a tension pain, only nothing stressful going on, plus it’s been going on for a week. Advil alleviates it but then comes right back.
I can’t find my advil :/
I DID find two lego guys, a red crayon and the remains of a pochahontas sticker.

A: Yeah, I’m a doctor too. I find that massaging my neck in circular motions really helps alleviate the tension in my neck.

Q: How can i alleviate my neck pain?
I went rock climbing yesterday and I’ve had this pain on the right side of my neck. It only hurts when i lean my head to the right though. I really need to get rid of this problem because it hurts too much to go climbing. My dad showed my some neck exercises but the pain comes back after a couple minutes. If anyone knows some neck exercises or home remedies or something for this i would greatly appreciated if you helped.

A: Listen to your Dad you should be fine . You may not be use to this a strenuous exercise .It get better after awhile.

Q: What are some ways to relieve neck pain?
I didn’t wake up with the neck pain, as a matter of fact it didn’t start hurting until a couple hours later. When I turn my head to the right, or tilt my head upwards the pain is excruciating in the right side/shoulder area. When turn to the left or look down it doesn’t hurt as much if at all. I tried icy hot with not much relief, and if I try to stretch it becomes to unbearable. I can’t go to a doctor because I no longer have insurance. Any home remedies somebody can share?

A: I suggest you should go to the hospital’s department of rehabilitation.I think your neck pain is likely to fracture from your symptoms.

Q: What can you do to get rid of neck pain due to playing a video game?
I played maybe 3 hours of Halo last night. Midway through playing, I lowered the seat because I got a bit uncomfortable. I think that’s why it hurts, because I had to look up at a screen more.

I went to sleep hoping I’d feel all better the next day, but no, the pain is still there when I have my neck in certain positions. I can straigthen my neck with a bit of pain, but I can’t seem to arch it back more then that.

Anybody go through this before?
Good to know I’m no alone. And for your information I was playing Halo, the original. I don’t usually play video games (because I’d probably get addicted), but I saw it for 20 bucks and I do have a new graphics card I wanted to test out.

A: It’s a common enough problem with people who work at desk jobs- Or who play video games a lot.

For now, you’ll want to take aspirin and do gentle stretches with your neck, and keep a rolled-up warm towel around it to help your neck muscles relax.

This will be hard for you- but afterwards, you’ll have to make sure not to play so long. And to have the monitor at a height that is right for you, when you do play.

Good luck!

Q: What causes a neck pain to get worse as the day goes on?
I had a stiff neck this morning when I woke up, but about an hour ago my neck hurt so badly I could barely turn my head. Why all of a sudden would the pain change and become more intense?

A: Could be number of things, from pulled muscle, to tension headache, or a more serious condition, including a pinched nerve. You may want to consider seeing a Chiropractor. I have worked for Chiros since ‘98 and get adjusted regularly. HUGE improvement with headaches and neck pain.

Q: What is the best product to relieve neck pain?
I have a really bad neck pain along with my shoulders that have been hurting me for a long time. And also my joints, not to mention the hips and my right thigh. I’m in big pain! What’s the best medicine to use? Hopefully not a temporary relief ’cause applying ice does that a little. Thanks.

A: I have a few suggestions:

1- use a cervical support pillow
2- ice your neck
3- do some muscle work using a natural pain relief gel like biofreeze
4- stretch your neck using a traction unit
5- do neck stretches
6- see a chiropractor to make sure your spine is aligned properly
7- Improve your Neck Posture

All of these should be done over a long period of time. They will make a big difference.

Q: What is the best way to help neck pain, especially at night when sleeping?
I’ve been having a lot of pain in my neck and was wondering the best way to help it at night when I’m sleeping. I sleep on my side or stomach mostly. I am unable to sleep on my back. I thought about buying one of those neck pillows, but I’m not sure I’d be comfortable. Any recommendations? Also, I don’t want to spend a fortune!
I went to the chiropractor today. I will get my x-ray results Tuesday, however, I would like a cheaper alternative that I can do on my own.

A: I find that a heating pad right before you go to sleep helps–and feels really good. Just don’t fall asleep with it on.

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