Question
Hi Dr. Starbuck,

In May I injured my neck. I ended up going to the ER 3 days later because I still could not move my neck. The Dr. told me that I strained my neck and have Lordosis(sorry for spelling errors) of the spine. He put me on Flexeril and a pain killer. He also said that once you have a neck injury it will be very easy to reinjure it. Ever since then, if I drive or sit for over an hour my neck starts to bother me.

Friday I did a lot of driving and complained to my husband that my neck was bothering me. Friday night while driving home I started to get very severe pain right between my shoulder blades. It felt as if some one was reaching into my back and squeezing with all their might. I woke up Saturday unable to move my neck again. I have very little movement to the right, left and back. It's not the pain stopping me from moving it...my neck, literally, will not move passed a certain point. Moving my arms causes the pain between my shoulders.

If I lay on a heating pad, my neck will losen up a little. Once I take the heat off, I am back to the same situation within 10 minutes.

Any suggestions on what may help? I was considering a chiropractor but I am afraid it will really hurt.

Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Angie

Answer
If you didn't know, I am a Chiropractor.  I suggest strongly see a chiropractor, I am biased, but with my education, I believe it is your best option.  You very likely have some vertebral misalignment which in turn causes muscle strain and cramping.  Medicines are good initially, but if you don't fix the problem, the pain will keep coming back.  I suggest going to www.sorsi.com to find a chiropractor in your area.  I am part of this group 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 concerns or questions, please email me.