Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

Ok, so I thought I had the run of the mill stiff neck about a month ago. It was on both sides. It lasted about 2-3 weeks so I saw my regular doctor the day before my cruise and he said sometimes it takes a while. He gave me muscle relaxers.

So, needless to say the muscle relaxers do nothing.

The pain comes & goes but I still don't have full use. The pain is at the base of my head, upper neck if that helps.

On my cruise I got a neck massage and she said I was very tense up there and to get accupunture. The massage did help but the relief was short lived as the pain is back.

So here is my questions. Sorry so long but I'm kinda scared

1. who specializes in this? I don't need referrals with my insurance (plus, I dont' want to go back to my reg doctor...they are good for colds and stuff but not this you know). I just feel like I want a MRI or something to rule out everything major, you know.

2. should I waste my time with accupunture??

What would you do? HELP!! I'm usually NOT a doctor person but since its my neck/head I'm concerned.

Message edited 7/13/2011 8:53:11 AM.

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

Honestly? I'd go to a chiro.
I found that was the only thing that helped with my neck issues.
It was causing me migraines it was so bad.

And to be honest, regular MD's only prescipred drugs- pain killers, muscles relaxers- that masked the symtpoms, but never addressed the CAUSE.

A chiro worked wonders for me!

ETA- a chiro can order an MRI or other tests if needed.

Message edited 7/13/2011 8:54:34 AM.

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

I have the same issue and thank God it is nearly gone. Tuesday last week woke up with a stiff neck. Thought nothing of it it kept up all week. On sat i woke up and it was going down into my back by the afternoon it was my shoulder and i couldn't lift my right arm. Sunday and monday morning DH had to help me out of bed as i was in so much pain. Went to the Chiro on Monday evening and he used an electrosis ?? machine and iced it gave me a good massage. I was in so much pain he told me to come back in a few days and to keep icing it to get the swelling down. That night was much worse and the next morning too. By yesterday afternoon i was nearly back to normal. This morning i am a bit stiff again but after being up a while it is loosening out again. I go back to the Ciro tomorrow so hopefully will be much better by the weekend. Definitely go to a chiro.
I also used Aleve for the inflammation which did help.

HTH

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

Before chiro or accu I would most definately het an mri just to make sure there are no major disc issues. Your doc or a neuro can order the mri. My chiro wasn't able to order for some reason. But please better safe than sorry get the mri asap!

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

See a chiropractor

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

I don't know where you live but I know of a great chiro. I never believed in them until him. He works wonders on myself and my husband. His name is Dr. Jon Giugliano and is in Bellmore on Bellmore Ave just north of Sunrise Hwy. 516-679-3100 He is there M W and Fri.

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

Orthopedist.

I have shoulder & neck issues. They prescribed physical therapy which was like a godsend for me.

My friend who is a chiropractor helped a lot but for my issue PT helped.

My friend, who seemed to be having the same pain, had a different diagnosis. She has signficant disk degeneration so she had other options to explore. After $500 in co-pays to physical therapy that did nothing, she's opting for $500 shot (her ins didn't cover), which should help.

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

go to Dr Brian Carroll on Broadway on Holbrook. They are one block down from PAtch-holbrook road on the right hand side.

He is fantastic. He will take x-rays of you first so he can make sure what exactly is going on

here is the office number

631-737-3838

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

I would go to the regular dr and see if he will send you for an MRI

Message edited 6/2/2014 9:49:45 PM.

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

i have herniated discs in my neck and when they are out of alignment it causes the muscles on either side of my neck that run into the base of your head to spasm - I dont actually feel the muscle spasms it just presents as pain up the side of the back of my neck to the base of my skull. My Drs the first line was the same thing - pulled muscle and muscle relaxers. I ended up going back bc it didnt help much - he sent me for an MRI and to make an appt with an orthopedist. The orthopedist determined it was herniated discs and sent me to physical therapy. I would def head to a specialist before a chiro - they can do more damage then good depending on what you are dealing with.

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

I had a lot of head & neck issues bout 6 months ago (Actually seem to be starting up again) No matter what I did I couldn't get relief. Actually, I'm lying. Wearing a neck brace helped with the painful pressure at the based of my head. Just the weight of my head on my neck hurt everywhere from my temples down to my shoulders. I had a headache and was dizzy everyday.

PCP sent me to physical therapy. After about 6 weeks 2-3x a week it was 1000x better. It was all muscle tension. They did massage, heat and then traction. It was wonderful!

All stress related.

Re: Neck/Head issues, need real help, thanks!!

I suffered from neck pain, migraines, sinus headaches, etc. Went to every dr. The chiropractor is the only one who helps!