Question
I will try to make this as concise as possible without giving unnecessary details.

I am a nursing student so I spend too much time studying - ie., hunched over books, writing notes, sitting in lecture so on and so forth. In mid December during final exams I noticed the tension in my neck on the right hand side was getting really bad but chalked it up to all of the hours spent with poor posture and strain on my neck. Exams finished, I enjoyed the holidays with my kids - January came - school started and as soon I stared writing notes and studying my neck really started to hurt again - in fact it became "jammed" - I have had my neck "jam up" before so I went to the chiropractor and had it adjusted (which I have had done before with positive results).

This chiropractor (a woman who was not the chiropractor I usually see as he was away on holidays) did quite a few adjustments - neck, upper back ribs etc. on one of those tables that has a bunch of parts that collapse (a Zenith model).

I had a massage the following day to try to relieve the knots and tension that had built up. That weekend muscle spasms started - only on the right side - my neck in particular  and upper back. My neck jammed up again. So I went back to the chiropractor (this time the husband of the woman who had adjusted me a few days prior). He told me it was probably due to a bulging disc and adjusted my neck again. It did give me range on motion back but the muscle spasms persisted for a few weeks off and on.

Since this began in early January I have had a number of adjustments - once giving me relief that only lasted for a day. The chiropractor has been adjusting my first rib (not adjusting my neck at all) and he has been adjusting my upper back which is adjusting very easily. But every time I get an adjustment I end up with muscle spasms and I don't feel any better.

I have tried acupuncture for the spasms - which worked but was only temporary.

I have seen 2 physiotherapists both of which are not really sure what to make of everything. It could be a mechanical issue......but they don't want to start anything until I can get the muscle spasms under control.

I have had intermittent pain down my right arm - and burning pain in the shoulder and scapular area.

I am now trying myofasial release massage therapy to try to work out the tension and muscle pain - which seems to be gentle enough and is offering tiny bits of relief.

My doctor has asked me to just rest it for a short time and I am using an anti-inflammatory cream which has finally brought relief to the muscles so I can bring the inflammation down - but I can still feel that something isn't right. I did do a lot of icing in the beginning but have been finding heat makes the muscles feel better.

I am not doing any clinical rotations this term as I am a part time student so I will not have clinical until next year but I know this could be a long road to recovery - that I need to get on now so that I can be strong enough to go back to clinical next year.

My question for you - if you made it this far is - could the initial chiropractic treatment have triggered the muscle spasms (I had not had any muscle spasms in my neck - ever - before that)? I have read that the high velocity force of an adjustment could trigger muscle spasms. Or could the initial adjustment have done some minor damage to the brachial plexus? At the first appointment I had in the beginning of January - she used an activator on my first rib and all of the first rib adjustments I have had since then send me home feeling much worse....

I am not sure what to do now......I am scared to go back and get any more adjustments but want to be sure I am heading in the right direction.

My physiotherapist has suggested we try to get an MRI to find out the root of the problem - neck (cervical disc) or brachial plexus.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Samantha

Answer
Samantha,
You have a pinched nerve, most likely your brachial plexus. I would consider getting an MRI to be sure you don't have a herniation Vs. a disc bulge. It is possible that an adjustment done improperly can cause an increase in muscle spasms, but it is also common for people to get worse before they improve. If she used an activator, i doubt that would have been a problem. Activator is a gentle technique. That being said, your problem in your neck sounds like it has been a chronic problem for several years (on and Off) and it will not resolve itself in a few weeks. You should switch chiropractors and get x rays first. then ask him for an MRI to be done. You should give it at least 6-10 weeks given its severity to get symptomatic improvement. then continue with periodic checkups  like you do the dentist twice a year.  
Bottom line is that your nerves are pinched and those nerves directly control the muscles as well. An anti inflammatory is just covering up your symptoms and will only return and then you will be dealing with more serious spinal decay years later. I think meds are bad advice and only compounding the problem further down the road. chiropractors are the only doctors that remove nerve interference and that is what you have.
another thing you can try is to find a chiropractor that utilizes cold laser therapy to speed up your healing time. If i can help you find a good chiropractor that will take x rays and use cold laser , let me know.

Dr. David Kulla
SynergyWellnessNy.com
New York City
chiropractor