QuestionHi, I have had this stiffness on the left side of my neck for a couple of months. It was recently aggravated after we had a snowstorm and I had to shovel our driveway. Its uncomfortable to turn my head to the left & can only turn so far. I haven't injured it in any way that I know of. I know in the past I've had a neck spasm but it was very severe pain where any movement was painful & the Dr. gave me a relaxant for it. It cleared up while I was taking the medicine. But this isn't as severe. I did buy a pillow that was suppose to help & it did for a time. Id like to know what's causing it. Any suggestions how I could find out whats wrong? Do you suggest I go to a chiropractor or my doctor first? Thank you.
AnswerStiff neck, wryneck, torticollis, staten island stiff neck, acute spastic torticollis, staten island chiropractor, Staten Island Chiropractor Dr. Victor Dolan,
Hello Amanda,
I am sorry to hear of your complaint.
Thank you for your question. I will attempt to give you a fairly complete answer, but if I do not give you enough information- do not hesitate to REcontact me here at AllExperts.com: http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm .
Sounds like you have had this on and off for quite a while. Is it progressing, slowly getting worse? It sounds like the treatment you have been getting is not being very effective. Perhaps it is time to look for a new doctor, a different approach.
You recount in your description, ".... I have had this stiffness on the left side of my neck for a couple of months.....". This sounds like your past treatment has failed. Perhaps it is time for a fresh perspective, a new doctor, a different technique.
You should talk to your Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and ask him(her) to re-evaluate you, perhaps obtain a new set of Xrays to SEE what is wrong; perhaps progress to an MRI and/or EMG or more sophisticated testing. Often, pain, restriction in motion, muscle spasm are SYMPTOMS with the cause being a Vertebral Subluxation- a neuromechanical problem that requires a mechanical correction.
On thing to be cautious of is the reliance upon chemical medications to correct this biomechanical condition. Pain meds, muscle relaxants may help the SYMPTOMS of pain and spasm, but do not affect the CAUSE of the complaint.
In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I hand out an information sheet that may be helpful to you:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
RED LIGHT = Trouble !!
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
Think you should listen??
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
Pain Killing medication??? = 16,000 deaths ( probably under-reported )
DEATH ! ? ! ? better watch out on those medications!!!
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468 Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001) Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together. BE CAREFUL WITH THAT MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine , Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010 , Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis) , Staten Island SPORTS Hall of Fame- Unsung Hero 2011 , Selected to the Medical Staff of the 2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara Mexico
I hope this information sheet helps you. As time goes on, we learn more about side effects and complications on relying upon SYMPTOMATIC relief from medications, which not only may allow the underlying CAUSE to progressively grow worse, but may aggravate the condition. For instance it is interesting that NSAIDs 'kill the pain' of arthritic degeneration, BUT cause the arthritic deterioration to grow worse due to altering the joint biochemistry!
Temporary and SAFE pain control can be handled more naturally, perhaps utilizing natural approaches such as a cold pack. Another information sheet I use in my Staten Island Chiropractic office is this one:
A safe way to treat pain:
P.R.I.C.E. = P protection. R rest. I ice. C compression. E elevation.
Hurt yourself ??
injury/ trauma/ bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined if you think it is bad enough. BUT in the meantime, some simple steps may help. PRICE.
The PRICE protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.
P = Protection; protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
pad or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest; rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
repair the area
I = Ice; ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
(ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again ( please do NOT use heat, heat adds to edema->
heat feels good while it is on,,,, and often makes the condition WORSE after you take heat off )
C = Compression; to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area. Many body
parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part
PRICE may help : Sprains, Strains, musculo-skeletal injury, bruise, contusion
Sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain. Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction). In the spine, a sprain/strain is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!
Spinal = Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation? ; ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms. Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint. CORRECT the subluxation !!!!
Sometimes using a CHEMICAL medication to correct an underlying MECHANICAL condition delays proper treatment and allows CHRONICITY to settle in. Chronicity makes it more difficult for the body to heal completely. Using CHEMICAL answers to a MECHANICAL problem is like putting expensive gasoline in a car, and hoping the gasoline helps correct the front end alignment (it just does not work....).
You say, "....It was recently aggravated after we had a snowstorm and I had to shovel our driveway....", sounds like your neck joints are easily aggravated. This shows an underlying, uncorrected problem. As time goes on and your condition insiduously progressively grows worse: it becomes EASIER to aggravate the condition, more painful, with episodes growing more frequent and longer in duration.
In your description; "....Its uncomfortable to turn my head to the left & can only turn so far...."; your neck cannot move properly- a sign of misalignment. IF your neck were PROPERLY aligned, your neck would also move properly. When your neck is improperly aligned, the neck CANNOT move properly.
You state, "....I haven't injured it in any way that I know of.....", sometimes we KNOW when we hurt ourselves- i.e.: a car crash, a fall down the stairs, lifting something heavy, a slip or trip. BUT we can also injure ourselves through micro-trauma: poor posture habits over time can cause a subluxation, a sprain, a strain; repetitive motion can cause a complaint such as yours- always in the same position, slways with the same movements....
We do not always need a MACROtrauma to hurt ourselves, often it can be an accumulation of MICROtrauma.
"....I know in the past I've had a neck spasm but it was very severe pain where any movement was painful & the Dr. gave me a relaxant for it. It cleared up while I was taking the medicine...."- such a common story: the medicine COVERED up the problem, but did NOT correct the CAUSE of the SYMPTOMS. If you go to the Medical Doctor (MD), perhaps he(SHE) should refer you to a colleague Chiropractic Doctor (DC) for an evaluation. If you go back to your previous doctor (DC), it is time for a discussion and a re-evaluation, and perhaps a change in technique.
Perhaps you want a Doctor with a different specialty than the doctor you are seeing now. Th public is sometimes unaware that your chiropractic doctor may have specialty training, or perhaps it is time for a different specialty (specialties, SEE: http://www.acatoday.org/userImages/File/Microsoft_Word_-_Approved_Chiropractic_S(1).pdf , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropractic_neurology , http://www.acatoday.org/UserFiles/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Approved%20Chiropractic(1).pdf .)
You ask, "....Id like to know what's causing it.....". It does sound like the Medical Doctor (MD) has examined you and given you his(her) tratment- medicine. It does not sound like this has worked.
You ask, "....Id like to know what's causing it.....". I hope your Chiropractic Doctor (DC) has given you information similiar to what I have explained above. Your DC should have taken a complete history, performed a physical examination, and discussed a plan of care with you. But it sounds as if this current plan of care has not conquered your condition. Time for a re-evaluation, perhaps a different technique; or perhaps a different Doctor (of Chiropractic).
You ask, "....Any suggestions how I could find out whats wrong?...."- get a hands on, in person examination by a 'spine specialist'. Many people in the public call the Chiropractic Doctor- the 'spine specialist', I recommend seeing your local family chiropractic doctor.
"Do you suggest I go to a chiropractor or my doctor first?"- you can go to any licensed health provider you feel most comfortable with. As a Doctor of Chiropractic- I will admit my bias (some doctors eill NOT admit their prejudice), I do recommend a DC for this type of complaint as you have described it.
Usually Chiropractic works very well on this type of complaint. You have had this complaint for a while, I would recommend a new / different Doctor (of Chiropractic) than the one you have been using.
I hope all of this information helps you in your search to return to better health.
Again, thanks for your question.
Do not hesitate to REcontact me here if you need further.
Your Staten Island Chiropractor, Dr. Victor Dolan, wishing you Good Health Naturally!
Dr. Vic
