Way back in Nov. I ended up in the ER from pain in my back and shoulder. I couldn’t even lift my arm. It had started weeks before, but had progressed to the point that I oculdn’t move. There is a section of skin over my spine that I cannot feel. THe pain often goes down my arm into my wrist. THe back and neck pain is severe, and the shoulder pain is unbearable. Our ER is terrible, and they didn’t XRay, or even examine me in any way they just gave me muscle relaxers and told me to call my Dr. Well, I then went to an Orthopedic Dr. He did XRays & said I had a problem in my neck & shoulder, & should go to Physical Therapy & have an MRI–didn’t say what the problem was. I went to him several times since the MRI & I have had a Cortisone shot in my shoulder, & I was going to the PT twice a week for several months. I’ve had time off work to rest, so I don’t think it is a pulled muscle plus it has affected so many parts of my body. Any ideas of what it could be or what I should do next?
#1 by Anonymous on January 24, 2010 - 5:40 am
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I would personally go to another doctor. It may seem frustrating, but keep trying until you get resolution, or at least a definitive diagnosis. Ask them to look at your spine as one idea, maybe you have a nerve impingement. Good luck!
#2 by sherry on January 24, 2010 - 11:25 am
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you should see a chiroprator
#3 by shine s on January 24, 2010 - 12:17 pm
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go to a different doctor, and it can be your nerves
#4 by Rick Olderman, MSPT on January 25, 2010 - 5:09 pm
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The problems creating neck pain are completely different than those creating back pain. Most people believe the same problem is at the roots of both because they both involve the spine. The truth of the matter is the spine is reacting to other forces acting on it.
So let’s address both separately by giving you a a couple little tests. Let’s start with your back pain. Lie down on your back with legs outstretched on the floor. Rest there for 30 seconds sensing whether your back pain gets worse or better. After 30 seconds, bend your knees to bring your feet close to your rear-end, resting on the floor. Rest there for 30 seconds.
Which felt better, knees straight or knees bent? If your back felt better with knees straight then you have a problem with your back flexing too easily or too much. If you felt better with your knees bent (as most peoples’ backs do) then you have a problem with your spine having too much extension. It’s simple to fix both of these conditions with a few exercises.
Next, let’s talk about your neck pain. Here’s another simple test. If you have right-sided neck pain or headaches, then place your right hand on top of your head. Make sure your head doesn’t side-bend or rotate to make this happen. Rest there for 20 seconds. If your pain diminishes then it is caused by the shoulder blades sitting too low on your trunk. There are muscles that attach from the shoulder blades directly to the neck and skull which irritate them when the shoulder blade sits too low. This is also easily correctable. I’ve written two books addressing neck pain and back pain illustrating these principles.
I hope this helps you get to the root causes of your pain so you can fix yourself.
Best,