Question
I have a mildly enlarged cervical lymph node on the left side of my neck; apx. 1.5cm...semi-firm, and moveable.  It has been there with no change for about 2 years.  I have pain in that area when I look over my shoulder.  I notice it often when I drive, but otherwise it doesn't bother me.  I don't remember doing anything to strain my neck. This is a problem currently and a few times in the past briefly, and it has resolved on its own.  Should I go to the doc, or just keep monitoring it?  

Answer
Emily:

Thanks for writing!

It looks like there are two solutions here. First, for the swollen lymph node, I would recomend that you check your water intake. Water is a specific essential for the lymph system. It must have enough water to drain properly. One must drink one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight every 24 hours. Drink it day and night. Avoid tap water if at all possible, it does not go into the body correctly.

Second, the bones in the neck are likely out of contact with one another. This results in the bones getting in the way of the nerves as the nerves try to do their work. This can cause pain and stiffness.

Here is an exercise for the neck. The pain with moving in you neck is a sign that the bones are not fitting together as they should. The little piece of slick bone on one vertebrae (a neck bone) is not sitting down on the little slick piece of bone on the next vertebrae.
There is a home exercise you can do that will correct it. And it is this.
Standing or laying on your back, keep your face straight forward. Do not tilt the chin down or up. If you are lying on your back, move the face toward the ceiling is such a way that if it touched the ceiling, your face would be flat on the ceiling. If you are standing, move it straight forward in such a way that your forehead and chin would touch the wall in front of you at the same time. It has to go straight forward.
Holding that position, move your chin in a figure eight pattern. Imagine the wall is a piece of paper. You have a pencil sticking straight out from your chin. Use the tip of the pencil to write a "8" laying on its side.
When done correctly, the neck will then make a crunching noise at the base of the skull. This is good. It will help your neck. It might not take the crunching sound out right away, but it will ensure that no damage is done and in fact will correct the problem if one persists in using it.
Does this answer you question?
If not, go to www.sorsi.com, www.icak.com and www.soto-usa.com and look for a good chiropractor near you. They cn go over the exercise with you. It if from Dr. DeJarnette's writing.

Does this answer your question?

Dr. Rozeboom