QuestionMy name is Alan, I'm 20, over the past few months I've been having some mild to severe neck pain on both sides of my neck. The most severe pain is when I wake up. My chiropractor has given me neck exercises which have not helped and I also turned to a therapeutic pillow which also did not affect it. When I turn my neck I feel pain but mainly when I look up or tilt my head back it hurts. Also over the past few days my right shoulder blade has been in significant pain to where I could not sleep and contact would hurt. I could really use some help I don't have insurance at the moment, also feeling alot of anxiety from these problems anything would help. Thank You.
Answerneck pain, pinched nerve, stiff neck, herniated disc, muscle spasm, MRI, Xray, neuritis, radiculitis, neuropathy, radiculopathy, vertebral subluxation,
Hello Alan,
Sorry to hear of your complaints.
You do go to the Doctor of Chiropractic? You have received exercises and a therapeutic pillow - - seem not to help.?.
Let's start at the beginning. You are 20 years old,,, so young and I assume healthy. Usually neck or back pain in a young healthy patient can resolve in just a month or two of treatment. Again, I am assuming a young, HEALTHY, uncomplicated, no trauma patient.
Do you have any complicating factors?- any current pathology- overweight, diabetic, prior injury, on medication for anything?
If a young man of twenty walked in to most chiropractic offices, a case history consultation, physical examination, Xrays would be performed, then referral or appropriate treatment would take place. Again, in an uncomplicated healthy 20 year old, chiropractic adjustment and ancillary therapies should have cleared up your pain in a month with another month of rehab (pain free) care.
If your pain is continuing or worsening after several weeks of adjustments and therapy, perhaps MRI or referral is necessary.
When you saw the Chiropractor, what was the diagnosis given? Did you have a thorough exam and Xrays?, was an MRI discussed?
Pain is the last thing that comes in a problem. Pain only comes from damaged tissue, after damage has been done or is being done. Did you see the doctor daily for a couple of weeks? Did you get more then exercises and a pillow?
Increasing pain is a red flag. Why is pain increasing? Do you do something that irritates and aggravates the neck?, or is pain increasing without an explanation? If pain is increasing,,, you have to get an explanation.
Here is some information I utilize in my Staten Island Chiropractic Office that may be helpful:
Neck Pain, Low Back Pain(LBP): Neck Pain, LBP can be caused by many different things. Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause neck or back pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing). Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, pinched nerves, possible fracture or dislocation can cause pain (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral). Bad things, like - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic. Neck or Back pain can come from a motor vehicle accident, sport injury, slip, trip, fall, arthritis, lifting improperly, or even bad posture in standing, sitting or sleeping. All of these things often have a Cervical (neck) or Lumbar (Low Back) Vertebral Subluxation involved.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
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.
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Why so many treatment visits ?, Why so many different therapies ??
Many people do not come to the Doctor of Chiropractic first. Many people take an over the counter medication (otc) (covers up the pain, does not treat the cause of the pain), see a medical doctor for a prescription medication (covers up the pain, does not treat the cause of the pain, stronger then OTC drugs, increased possibility of side effects and complications), or just wait and hope the pain goes away.
Then, after the pain continues, FINALLY they go to the Doctor of Chiropractic. Studies show that while Chiropractic is often the last Doctor people will go see, they expect immediate results- i.e.; a couple of weeks of treatments are expected to cure the problem. It is a paradox that people WAIT to go to the Doctor of Chiropractic, but expect immediate results, on conditions that have been building for months or years; yet when they go to a medical doctor- they accept invasive surgeries and/ or a long treatment protocol of physical therapy- weeks, often months.
Spinal pain, like many other conditions, often builds for years and years until the pain becomes strong enough to send someone for treatment. It is well known that heart conditions build for years and years, yet in 40% of cases, the first pain someone feels with their heart,,,, is the last pain someone feels with their heart (a fatal heart attack in 慳symptomatic?patients). Sad that they waited for pain to be a gauge of health. Pain is the LAST thing that comes in a problem, and often the FIRST symptom to go away. If there is a problem, isn抰 it better to treat BEFORE the pain, or if pain has started, isn抰 it better to take care of the problem, prevent future pain and progression of the condition?
Why so many treatment visits to start?, Well the problem, the condition, has momentum on it抯 side. Irritation, inflammation and damage has taken place and then the pain comes. Pain is the last thing that comes in the condition, and Pain is the first thing that disappears during treatment; but the underlying irritation, inflammation and damage has to be repaired. Initial treatment schedules, depending upon the severity of the complaint could be as often as twice per day, or once per day for two- three weeks, followed by a gradual reduction in treatment visits. This is similar to surgery! When a patient has an invasive surgery, often there is followup rehab treatment of daily, then every other day, then weekly visits for a prolonged period (i.e.; shoulders- up to a year of treatment AFTER invasive surgery).
Chiropractic works with your body. Chiropractic helps your body to heal itself. Chiropractic restores Homeostasis, balance in the body. Chiropractic corrects the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. You cannot be 慼ealthy?if you have a Subluxation. You MAY feel it, with a pain, stiffness, or a 慿ink?in your neck/ back. You may NOT even feel it- just as people often do not feel the cavity growing in their tooth,,,, until it hits the nerve; or you may not feel it at all, like people do not feel high blood pressure or diabetes until AFTER damage has been done!! The vertebral subluxation complex can be 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 (Subluxation) is a serious condition identified by its five parts: Spinal Kinesiopathology, Neuropathophysiology, Myopathology, Histopathology, Pathophysiology. Chiropractic corrects this 憇ilent?condition, works WITH your body, and like other health approaches requires a certain treatment regimen.
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揝tiff Neck? ( Also Known As- wryneck, torticollis, neck muscle spasm )
Sometimes we can wake up with a 憇tiff neck? or a muscle spasm.... sometimes
a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憇tiff neck?
Ultimately- the true c a u s e of the neck stiffness and pain; is a misalignment, a
慿ink? in the neck - more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
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.
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I hope the above helps explain the possible cause of your pain, and the need for care- especially if pain is increasing.
Some quick treatment recommendations:
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 looked at 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
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 !!!!
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Thanks for your question.
Good Luck, and I wish you Good Health Naturally,
your Staten Island Chiropractor,
Dr. Victor Dolan
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (email newsletter)
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://www.DocDolan.net
