Question
Hello,
I have been having an issue with my neck for a while now with pain and stiffness but in the last few months it hurts pretty much constantly. Specifically I get pain and stiffness when turning my head to either side and discomfort putting my head back or to the front to a lesser extent. Sometimes depending on the angle it feels like a spasm. I usually sleep on my stomach and cannot do so without pain now.I also seem to clench my teeth a lot which makes my jaw ache too.

Here is a little history: I have always worked very physical jobs such as landscaping and as a professional chef. I also spend a great deal of time on my computer as a writer with my head tilted down.There have been a few car crashes in my life including one where I went through the windshield and ended up with whiplash and a concussion.

Three years ago I was assisting with a landscaping job and was backing a dolly loaded with about 700 lbs of rock down a trailer ramp and when it hit the bottom my arms were jerked downwards very sharply and my head snapped back with an audible crackle. The back of my neck swelled up and was hot for a couple hours. I was working so I ignored it.

There has also been a great deal of stress in the last bunch of years from the death of my mother to financial and marital issues. I am 44 years old and have in the last three months started working full time again in a kitchen where a great deal of time is spent looking down at a cutting board. Could this pain be simply age and stress coming into play. I appreciate any insight.

Answer
Dear Michelle,
Thanks for reaching out to me. My heart goes out to you for the complexity and depth of the issues you face in your life as they relate to your chronic neck pain. I don't believe that your neck problem is simply a product of age, if this were true then every moving joint in your spine and body would be equally painful.  I am quite sure that stress plays a role but I am suspicious that your previous traumas like car accident and work injury likely play a large role in your situation.  I strongly recommend that, if possible, you come to my office so I can perform a thorough consultation and examination to clearly uncover what the source of your neck pain is and how to resolve it if possible.

Please check our website to learn more at www.backclinicsofcanada.ca
You can call our office to arrange a free consultation and examination at 416 633-3666

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Dr. Ron Nusbaum
Chief of Staff
Back Clinics of Canada