Question
Hi,
I am wondering what to do about a back problem I've had recently. I'm a 45-year-old female, and suffer from anxiety/panic disorder, which is usually manageable with my meds. In very severe circumstances, I tend to carry stress in my back and neck. A few months ago, this happened, and now it's happening again.

That first time, I was suddenly seized with such an excruciating, cramping pain in my neck and rhomboid muscled that I had to make my way to a nearby couch, where I instantly became stiff as a board and virtually paralyzed. My son had to call an ambulance, finally, and I had to be taken out of my home on a stretcher, three paramedics required to move my dead weight because I couldn't be made to lie flat. In the ER, after all tests to rule out anything serious, I was given pain meds and muscle relaxers, which did the trick, but I was not able to work for three days, and had minor stiffness and cramping for about three more weeks.

Now, I am able to move, and hope this won't get worse. I don't have health insurance, right now, and hate to think of paying for a doctor visit just to get a script for a muscle relaxer. Is there a way to deal with such stress-related pain through other means, like special exercises, effective over-the-counter meds, or herbal remedies? Would chiropractic treatment help with this?

Thanks so much for your time!

Mia

Answer
Mia,

Thanks for the question.  This is an easy one.  Chiropractic can definitely help this type of problem.  In fact, this is the type of issue that chiropractic was made for.  If this happens again or you feel it coming on, get to the chiropractor and get the issue resolved.

Exercises are a great way to help prevent and avoid these types of episodes. A good strong healthy neck will fair well against stress.  Daily stretching should be a routine.  I do my neck stretches in the shower and recommend them to my patients.  Strengthening is key as well and should be done as least every other day.  The exercises can be done at home with rubber tubing.  Ask your chiropractor to show them to you.  

OTC medications would really just be your ibuprofens or ketoprofens. They will help when needed, but should not be take on a regular basis to avoid stomach and liver problems.

Nutritional supplements can help.  I like to use a product called Wobenzyme, which is an anti-inflammatory enzyme product.  It is also great for digestive problems.

I do a lot of work with hormone imbalance and adrenal gland fatigue.  You appear to be a classic example of this. I would like you to answer a few more questions for me.

1-Are you tired and worn out a lot?

2-Do you have sleep problems or wake up at night?

3-Have you gained weight or are you having trouble losing weight, despite diet and exercise?

4-Do you feel depressed/experience mood swings/take anti-depressant meds?

5-Do you experience low sex drive?

6-Do you get sick easily?

7-Do your muscles and joints ache?

If you answer yes to one or more of these, you are likely in some stage of adrenal fatigue.  If you would like more information, I can provide it.

Let me know through this site.  I hope this helps.

God Bless,

Dr. Boss