Question
Hi,

For the past three days or so, I've been having this bizarre pain in the back left portion of my upper neck. I'm 25 and generally healthy and have never had problems like this before although I do often suffer from mild to moderate tension headaches. The pain comes and goes throughout the day. Sometimes it's pretty severe and throbbing and sometimes it's barely noticeable. Taking advil seems to make it better. When I turn my head, the area feels tight. Besides this, I've got no other symptoms of note, except being pretty nervous and edgy that it's something serious. (I'm kind of a hypochondriac).

I don't have insurance so seeing a doctor is something I only do if it's absolutely necessary (since I have to pay). Could this be the sign of something serious? How much would it cost for an MRI?

Thanks, Andrew

Answer
Without a proper exam I'm only speculating, but I don't believe it is anything life threatening.  What it sounds like to me is a strained, inflamed muscle.  Why it is there requires further examination, but it could be due to the way you sleep (pillow), the way you work (computer, factor, etc.), or the way you exercise.  There could also be some bony misalignment causing the muscle strain, such as a vertebrae or the back of skull.  I treat these conditions everyday, simple adjustments by a licensed chiropractor and some additional treatments from a massage therapist seem to do the trick.  There are alot of chiropractors, including myself, that have payment plans and special deals for individuals that don't have insurance, and it is usually less expensive than seeing a medical doctor.  If you don't see a chiropractor currently, go to www.sorsi.com to find a doctor near you.  I am part of this organization and would trust any of them with my own family.  If you are in Minnesota near the Twin Cities, or if you have any other questions or concerns about treatments or need help finding a doctor, please email me.

Dr. Starbuck