Im having neck problems and I dont know how to deal with it?

Question

Last year I was dignosed with a sprained neck and a semi dislocated shoulder, and I went through 8 months of physical therapy for my shoulder not my neck,a nd Im having problems with my neck and it is getting really bad, and I dont know what I can do at home, or as far as going to see a specialist, let me know what you think I can do or what is the problem

I had an MRI done on it and the test came back clear they sais that there was nothing wroung with my shoulder. I had x-rays on my neck and that is how I got diagnosed with a sprained neck and a semi dislocated shoulder

Answer 1

Before you do anything rash like getting dangerous injections or surgery, try something that is safe. If more conservative measures do not help you, then it might be time to go to an MD and get the drugs and surgery. I would try chiropractic first. Problems like this are what they spend four years in grad school learning how to diagnose and treat. You may be surprised at how effective it can be, and it is far safer than many other alternatives. Acupuncture is a viable option as well.

Good luck

Answer 2

Physical Therapy FORCES muscles to do what they want them to.
Massage Therapists so a much better job with this kind of problem.
I would use a chiropractor as well.

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 3

Shoulder problems can lead to compensatory problems in the neck...especially those with inefficient rotator cuff. In otherwords, people begin to use the muscles in the neck (primarily upper trapezius) to compensate for poor motion of the shoulder.

Conversly, many cervical disc problems can refer pain to the shoulder.

It would be interesting to know what types of tests you've had done in the shoulder. A torn rotator cuff can be ruled out by MRI.

If that is clear, it may be time to have PT or have more tests done for the neck.

Re tests: If you have "semi-dislocated shouler" demonstrated on an x-ray, this may have some implications for functional bracing (a brace that approximates the shoulder into the socket, but allows movement).

If it turns out that this is not the source of your pain, it may be time for an MRI on the neck.

Either way, it's probably time to head to an ortho.

Answer 4

I have major issues with my neck. In fact, I have had to have 3 discs fused. The pain I tend to have now is kinda like the bands from my head to shoulders. Best exercise.....get a ball the size of a soccer ball, but softer. I bought a kiddie ball. Place the ball against the wall and press the back of your head against it. Then turn your head left and right pressing the ball against the wall. This strengthens all those muscles and helps the discs do their job. I hope this helps. There is nothing worse than neck pain and the headaches that come with it.

Answer 5

Physical therapy and massage therapy are your best solutions.

A sprained neck is not an accurate diagnosis.

There are many, many different and distinct muscles in the neck.

Knowing exactly what actions produce pain, where the pain is perceived and what muscles and ligaments may responsible will help in treating or dealing with it.

Answer 6

See an interventional pain management specialist. They are trained to diagnose and treat these types of problems. He will probably want to do a combination of injections, medications, and maybe even additonal physical therapy.

Answer 7

Soothex is excellent, EFT is great and time is a factor. Eft can resolve issues in minutes and you learn to see what is possible. easy to learn..

Answer 8

see a neurologist