Question
I've had back trouble since I was 16. One particular place about the size of a quarter between my shoulderblades, right side. It used to "go out" and cause excruciating pain there. As years have gone by, it has changed in amount of pain and frequency and duration. Now it bothers me almost not at all. But I strained my neck dancing. It hurt just a little for 3 years. I'd notice it more riding long distances in a car, when it would start to ache. Mostly it didn't bother me too much. Recently the right side of my neck began to hurt more and more and both sides started popping all the time. The popping does not hurt but the muscle running down the back of my neck sure does. Some days it's worse than others. The bottom of my head on the right side, right where it joins my neck, seems swollen. I had headaches for a while but they stopped. I dont get alot of numbness or tingling. But sometimes if I play the guitar My right hand will go to sleep. If I don't elevate my arm at night when I sleep (the one I'm not sleeping on) my hand will go to sleep. That goes for either side.
Recently my left shoulder started hurting, worse than my neck. The muscle on top, the joint at point of shoulder in front, and my collar bone nearest my neck. The collar bone has become obviously enlarged right in front and seems to be sticking out more than the one on the right. If I push on it I can feel it all the way from collarbone to point of shoulder to rib and back to the old back injury or whatever it was. In other words, it all seems to be connected. If I get my back rubbed and the person doing the rubbing hits that small spot between my shoulderblades, it almost feels like a raw nerve and it makes my neck hurt. Otherwise that place between my shoulderblades has totally stopped bothering me after all these years...

I tried to be thorough. What do you think it is and what should I expect? Might a chiropracter help? I have not had the money to go to one in several years, but I may have to rob the bank... This pain is constant and I can not escape it. I can't roll over in bed at night without hurting bad, and I wake up so stiff in the mornings! The stiffness goes away to some extent when I move around and limber up, but the pain only subsides slightly. I still have all mobility, it just hurts is all.

Answer
Hello-

Yes, it is possible - maybe probable - that your problems are connected.  Yes, a chiropractor may be able to help.  I appreciate the amount of information you have provided, but I cannot diagnose based on this.  It does appear, however, that your problems are musculoskeletal in nature, and would most likely respond well to chiropractic care.  I suggest that since your finances are limited (and chiropractors are not as plentiful in prison, where your bank robbing may take you...), you "shop around" for a chiropractor using personal referrals and calling for consultations.  Most offices will allow you to make a brief appointment for a consultation at no charge - I know I do - to give a quick run-down of your symptoms and to "feel out" the doctor you are considering seeing.  Remember to ask about treatment, costs of each visit, and projected treatment time (he/she will NOT have performed a full evaluation at this point, so projection of costs will only be an estimate).  Xrays may or may not be necessary, depending on the degree of your pain(s), the longevity of the problems, and the particular doctor doing the examining.  So, my point is that costs may vary widely...don't give up after the first visit if you feel it's too expensive, or otherwise not right for you.  There are many "flavors" of chiropractic care, and you need to hunt around a bit before you find the right one for you.  Once you find someone, feel free to write down what they tell you and get back to me; I am happy to give you an opinion as to whether or not the options appear viable for your case.  Good luck, and enjoy your Labor Day.