Question
A week and a half ago I woke up with a stiff neck that worked itself out by the
next day and then went shopping the following day for four hours carrying
bags over my left shoulder.  The day after that I was stiff again with pain in
the neck and weird sensations going down my arm.  I have been seeing a DC
for over a year due to a problem a year or so ago and like to go for
maintenance.  I have incredibly tight neck and back muscles from my stress
and anxiety.  He seems to think the muscles in my neck pulled the neck out
of whack and is causing some nerve compression.  I do feel better with
therapy, electrical stim and massage and heat.  How long does this take to
heal usually?  Should I be doing something else?

Thanks.

Answer
Cathy,

Some people have chronic tension in their necks and backs for reasons we don't fully understand.  Sometimes there are ergonomic factors, such as sitting at a computer every day, or performing some other repetitively straining task. For others, it's cerebral - yes, in your head, literally - as there is evidence that some brains become hypersensitive to the bodily environment (centrally mediated allodynea) and cause the person to hurt or feel stiff or sore for no obvious reason.  If the above mentioned treatment modalities cause some alleviation, then consider a more thorough form of soft tissue treatment, vis. Graston Technique.  Also, you may find relief with traditional acupuncture in conjunction with the chiropractic care.  Lastly, you must be exercising your muscles, e.g. going to the gym and using weights and machines.  In my 17 years doing this, I can say that there are some people that never find full resolve of neck and shoulder muscle symptoms despite treatment efforts.  However, not everyone seeks all avenues of treatment.

'Hope this helps,

Dr. G