Questionhi.
in 2007, while sleeping, I was awoken to a loud cracking noise and severe pain in my spine between my shoulders.
I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a "crick in the neck"
to this day I have back pain. about 2 days ago, I awoke with stinging pain in my spine between my shoulder blades. since then I am almost unable to move. it feels like a muscle has torn or something. I am in severe pain and cannot turn my head to the right and I have a knot near my right shoulder blade.
what is this, how can I fix it. I took 2 lorcets and went to sleep and awoke with pain.
my grandmother gave me a relaxer for inflamed muscles (I cannot pronounce or spell the name, but the pills are huge about the size of a penny and have a "V" on them as well as some numbers) but that has not helped.
I am hurting so badly I can barely sit in this computer chair.
did I pull/irritate my previous injury?
thank you
desi
Answerback pain, Vertebral Subluxation complex, 'crick in the back', pain between the shoulders, staten island back pain, continuing pain, staten island chiropractic, muscle knot, chronicity, vertebral subluxation complex, staten island chiropractor, staten island vertebral subluxation,
Hello Desi,
I am sorry to hear of your pain. I am sorry to hear of your pain way back in 2007, and now a close repeat in 2010.
You state: ".....in 2007, while sleeping, I was awoken to a loud cracking noise and severe pain in my spine between my shoulders.
I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a "crick in the neck"......", I am surprised any doctor could give a diagnosis of 'crick in the neck'!!! You should certainly chose a different chiropractic doctor! Was this practitioner a licensed health professional??- 'crick in the neck'; I remember my Grandmother used to talk about a 'crick' in the back or neck. I have never heard that in Chiropractic- choose a new Doctor of Chiropractic if that was your Dx by this doctor!.
Usually the 'crick in the neck' more correctly a Vertebral Subluxation Complex , responds very quickly to standard chiropractic care. When you FIRST went to the doctor, a few chiropractic adjustments probably would have cleared this problem and you would not still be suffering in the same area from probably the same underlying cause.
I would pick a different Doctor. This first doctor did not do you justice with a 'crick in the neck' as a diagnosis, and you are STILL suffering 2- 3 YEARS later.
With this CHRONICITY the problem has momentum on it's side, degeneration has taken place in the joint, ligaments have shortened on one side, lengthened on the other side of the joint. With a two- three year head start, your muscles have adapted to this misalignment (subluxation). With 2- 3 years of nerve irritation (you state: "....to this day I have back pain....", so things have NEVER been right since the START of this problem- why did you not switch chiropractors???) .
I would recommend a new DC (Doctor of Chiropractic), perhaps at this time you should look for a specialist (two++ years of chronicity). I would visit a chiropractic sports specialist, chiro orthopedist, perhaps a chiro neurologist. For the different chiropractic specialties you could see: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf , given that the underlying CAUSE of your SYMPTOMS has a two- three year headstart, this chronic problem would best be treated by a chiropractor with specialty training.
".....to this day I have back pain. about 2 days ago, I awoke with stinging pain in my spine between my shoulder blades. since then I am almost unable to move. it feels like a muscle has torn or something. I am in severe pain and cannot turn my head to the right and I have a knot near my right shoulder blade.....", given this type of verbal subjective history, you obviously have a CHRONIC spinal vertebral subluxation that is currently experiencing an acute episode of exacerbation.
Your pain is ONE of the components of the VSC (Vertebral Subluxation Complex), as are the fixation (lack of mobility/ lack of flexibility) and the muscle knot (muscle spasm- a muscular protective reaction SECONDARY to the VSC).
My Staten Island Vertebral Subluxation patients get the following informative handout from me:
慥SC?
the Vertebral Subluxation Complex
(aka: the 揝ubluxation?
Many times a patient will come to the Doctor of Chiropractic ?憛as a last resort厭, often after 憛.everything else has been tried?? This is frustrating to the Doctor (the DC), yet also satisfying. Frustrating?, Satisfying?, ,,,why?- Many times a symptom, an ache a pain, a condition can be caused by the 慡ubluxation??the 慍hiropractic Lesion? Just as germs, the Virus or Bacteria- is the 憁edical lesion?(- the MD looks for germs, the DC looks for subluxation). Many times an unexplained condition, after exam after exam, blood tests, Xray, MRI, EKG, EMG, etc., etc., --- Chiropractic can help the patient. Why- because only a Doctor of Chiropractic will check for subluxation- as well as run the 憈raditional?tests.
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.
Subluxation 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. (MOVEMENT)
Neuropathophysiology: Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body. (PAIN)
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. (MUSCLE CHANGES)
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. (LOCAL CHEMICAL CHANGES- inflammation)
Pathophysiology: The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. 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. (DEGENERATIVE CHANGES)
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
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I hope that helps explain what is probably the underlying CAUSE of your continuing CHRONIC condition. See a different local Doctor who will give you perhaps a DIFFERENT Chiropractic Adjustment from what you have received.
You ask, "....what is this, how can I fix it. I took 2 lorcets and went to sleep and awoke with pain....", based upon your subjective history, I would say there is a good chance you have a Vertebral Subluxation ( - - 'crick in the back' ????? ) that has remained uncorrected for at least two years. This necessitates a RE-evaluation by your chiropractic doctor. Perhaps medication or surgery would be your best treatment approach at this time- if these are best for you, your chiropractic doctor (DC) will refer you to someone he/she is confident in; perhaps you can be treated non-invasively with conservative chiropractic treatment provided by your DC.
You took TWO Lorcets. Again, my Staten Island Back Pain patients get an eductional handout sheet from me- here is the informative brochure I distribute on pain medications:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
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.
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation? )
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
I hope you find the above article interesting- be careful of side effects!
"......my grandmother gave me a relaxer for inflamed muscles (I cannot pronounce or spell the name, but the pills are huge about the size of a penny and have a "V" on them as well as some numbers) but that has not helped.....", if you went to your medical doctor (MD), even he/she would tell you: DO NOT TAKE SOMEONE ELSE'S MEDICATION- beware of side effects! Also, the meds are only treating the SYMPTOMS. If you ONLY treat symptoms, you will ALWAYS need meds.
I would recommend a chiropractic evaluation by someone new, and chiropractic treatment if indicated. At this point you may need Xrays along with your initial examination. Further down the road, or depending upon findings in the exams by your DC, you may need MRI or EMG exam as well to fully evaluate this progressed and progressive problem.
Further info on Lorcet specifically:
http://www.medicinenet.com/hydrocodoneacetaminophen-oral/article.htm
GENERIC NAME: HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN - ORAL (hi-dro-CODE-own/ah-seet-ah-MIN-oh-fen)
BRAND NAME(S): Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin
"....did I pull/irritate my previous injury?....", certainly sounds like it. Sounds like you have never recovered from your initial complaint. Usually Chiropractic can handle this wery safely, effeciently and cost efectively, I do not know why you are still suffering- that is why I recommend the new doctor with a different chiropractic approach.
".....I am hurting so badly I can barely sit in this computer chair.....", as I have stated above, time for a different DC- perhaps a specialist (see above) this time.
You finish- "...thank you....",--- no --- THANK YOU Desi for the question, I hope this information is helpful to you, get to a different DC and FEEL BETTER !!!!!!!!
I wish you good luck and good health naturally, If you need further- do not
hesitate to REcontact your SI Chiropractor friend here at AllExperts.com :
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
Email newsletter:.........http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com
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
