Question
i am a 46 year old male, in good health and good shape. i exercise regularly, play full court basketball etc. i am 5'11" and weigh 190 lbs. i work at a desk most of the day

7 weeks ago out of the blue i experienced headache/ discomfort like a brick was in my head. i had mri done and that (thank G-d) was clean....i saw 2 neurologists and both concurred that i had tenderness in my right side of the neck....i since saw an orthopedist that x rayed the area and saw slight arthritis. (my neurologist says that he doesn't know any 46 year old without slight arthritis)...i have been taking anti inflamation drugs and muscle relaxants for past 7 weeks. orthopedist sent me for physical therapy and i stretch the neck as per physical therapist instructions at home....after 7 weeks i finally had 10 days of clarity. i wanted to get back to exercise but was afraid to aggravate it so i went instead swimming everyday for past 10 days doing 30 laps and ending with a strong butterfly lap.....2 days ago the head discomfort returned...could i have aggravated it by swimming ? or maybe butterfly was too strenuous? i since stopped swimming and back on medicine (doctors orders) and it is less severe but i still feel something.....
any ideas?
stuart

Answer
The overhead motion of the butterfly stroke probably aggravated your neck condition.  In addition to the regimen you are on (anti-inflam's and musc. relaxants) you may want to try a good chiropractor.  If there is misalignment in the spine, it can cause muscle imbalances, leading to tightness, and correcting it could straighten out your problem.