Question
Hi,

I was hoping that you might be able to give me the best direction to go on this issue. I am/was very active this summer through the early Fall playing basketball on daily basis. I play with a bigger (200 lbs+)group of people but after a few months of this and combined with my daily job (sitting at a desk on a computer) I started developing slight neck pain, and CONSTANT neck popping. My neck constantly feels the need to be popped when I turn it up/down, left/right. It is uncomfortable to say the least. Initially with this condition there was some pain, but now the pain has subsided,but my neck constantly feels tight and as I mentioned still constantly pops. I have been to physical therapy (for two weeks) and a chiropractor for a few visits. I then quit going because it did not seem to help. I read this article (http://experts.about.com/q/Neck-Injury-2727/Popping-Clicking-Neck.htm?zIr=4#r) and thought the next step might be to go back to the chiropractor for several visits to see if this might help. My quality of life is diminished by this condition and I really would like an opinion on what my condition is and how to permanently fix it.

Please Help!

Answer
I read the article you sent, and to my surprise, it was written by Dr. Rozeboom, I am in the same chiropractic group that he is, and he is totally correct.  He has been a Dr. for longer than I've been alive, he knows his stuff.  I believe you are correct also by needing to keep with the chiropractic treatments, my only suggestion is that if you don't believe your current chiropractor is helping, find another.  I know this might sound odd, but the analogy I like to use is if you took your car to a mechanic and they tried to "fix" something on your car but it didn't fix it, and you tried it again with the same mechanic without success, would you keep going back to them or would you find another mechanic?  Some chiropractors are better than other in many different ways; attitude, technique, etc.  I am unsure of your age or where you live, but I would go to www.sorsi.com to find a doctor near you.  Both Dr. Rozeboom and myself are part of this group, and I would personally trust any of these doctors with my own family.  If you have any other questions or concerns, if you need help choosing a doctor, or if you are in Minnesota near the Twin Cities, please email me, and keep me updated on your decisions and outcomes.

Dr. Starbuck