neck pain...what could it be?

Question

Almost three weeks ago I started having pain in my neck and shoulders and found it hard to turn my head left or right. A few days before my lower back was sore but it went away. I have not been in any accidents or done anything to aggravate my neck. I sleep the same as always. The pain starts at the base of my skull and radiates to my shoulders. Some days it is better than others but today it is almost intolerable. I need to go to the store and runn errands but I am afraid to drive because it is hard to turn my head. I know you are going to say go to a doctor but we have no insurance (self employed) and really can't afford it. I wonder about a chiropractor but I am not sure if this is the sort of thing a chiropractor could fix. I have tried advil, aspirin, and tylenol as well as taking my allergy medicine. What could be casueing this pain and how can I rid myself of it without going broke. Thanks

There are some great answers, I am not sure which to choose so I'll let you guys vote. thanks for the great advice.

Answer 1

This could be caused by a lot of things, some of which are really bad. You really should go to the doctor (I know that you said that you don't have insurance, but this could be really serious).

I had that problem when I had mono. People also get that problem when they have meningitis. It could be caused by other things like brain cancer, etc. These are things that you don't want to screw around with....

Answer 2

Neck pain that leads to back and or shoulders can be a pinched nerve in the cervical spine. If you are having any numbness and or a burning pain that is also a telltale sign. Usually rest, and an antiflammatory medicine like Motrin or Alleve should do the trick. Ice packs will also help. Sometimes, people need stronger pain killers, but if you take the antiinflammotorys every few hours whether you feel the pain or not-is really good for the swelling.

Answer 3

Neck

Answer 4

This is going to be a long answer, but I think I can give you some good suggestions from my experience.

Probably like most people you carry your stress in your shoulders and the tension has caused you to pinch a nerve. I have this same problem, here is what I do:

What I would do is get a 20 oz bottle (like Dasani water or Pepsi comes in). Put it in the fridge and get it really cold (does not have to be freezing). lay down on your back, and put it under the curve of your neck. Lay back for 5-10 minutes. This will stretch your neck, and the cold will reduce swelling. Hopefully things will go back into place on their own if you do this a few times a day.
I also put my bottle behind my neck, and lean back against the seat when I drive sometimes, on my way to work. Keeps me from having problems!

Also, just put a cold pack (the large rectangular gel filled bags )on your upper shoulders and neck area when you are sitting watching tv.

There are also a couple of really good stretches you can do
1: Put your hands behind your head (your hands are positioned like you would doing old fashioned sit ups). Keeping your hands in place, tilt your head back so you are looking up at the ceiling. this stretches the upper back/neck muscles.
2: While standing, raise your arms over your head. Bend your arms at the elbow and with each hand grab the opposite elbow.
Now, keeping your arms bent, bend at your waist like your trying to touch your toes (this is called a waterfall position in yoga). Once your bent over, try stretching your head away from your body (this will stretch your neck).

You can also massage yourself, rub up and down on the muscles on the sides and back of your neck. Also, grasp the base of your skull and gently pull your head away from your body will stretch everything as well.

There is also this stuff called Biofreeze that you can get on Ebay or buy from chiropracters that is wonderful (not sure if you can get it anywhere else). Makes the area cold and gets rid of the pain.

Also, advil (generic ibuprofen) is your best bet to take. it is a muscle relaxant and gets rid of pain.

Good luck to you, I went thru chiropractic a few times for help and have found that if I do my little "routine" I don't have to go to the Dr.

Email me at [e-mail] if any of this does not make sense. I will try to explain it better if I can.

I am not a Dr, just a fellow sufferer sharing my "tricks" with you. hope it helps :-)

Answer 5

Sounds like your back is out of alignment. I had a similar problem when I was in a car accident.......got to the point I couldn't turn my neck.
there are some exercises you can do - but, I really think you are gonna need the help of a physician. I know that it sucks to spend the money...but........it will only become worse if you let it go and could cause more damage.
Are you also experiencing tingling in your leg?

Answer 6

I have no doubt that ure suffering from spondilitis. about ure back im not sure but im guessin u do a lot of running around work, maybe thats the cause of ure back pain, goin to a chiropractor maybe be okay , but its not medically approved. the pain may go or may not. i feel u should first see an orthopaedic surgeon regardin ure neck, n if u feel u cant afford one, just buy a neck brace and use it fer a couple of days so that the space between ure vertebrae extends and ure nerve relaxes. keep using external ointments fer the pain, if poss. avoid painkiller tablets. about ure back just relax fer a couple of days , take a break from ure work, go fer a vacation. it think the pain in ure back iz from the stress of ure work

Answer 7

You don't have to expend a lot of money to get rid pof that pin. Just go get a massage. It may be for all the stress at work or at home, also sometimes you think you sleep the same way as everyday but you don't know that for sure because as your sleeping you may do certain movements that may have caused that pain but your asleep so you don't noticed it.

Answer 8

its probably just stress cause you should you shoulders joints and neck are in pain but yeah a chiropractor could fix your problem and they don't cost that much either. Hopefully you get your back fix.

Answer 9

You may have muscle spams. Your body may need Calcium & Magnesium as the lack of Calcium can lead to muscle spasms, Try that, if not see a Doc or have a massage to see how does it go!! You may have too much stress too! The Doctor of Chiropractic may be your best bet, call one for a free first visit and see!! Best wishes!!

Answer 10

Seriously go see a chiropractor, it mite cost 40 bucks or something but get a reallignement and they will give u a massage too. THey will tell u to come back a lot but if u cant afford it just go the one time