Almost 2 years ago I had a car accident which caused pain in my neck. I went to my doctor and she told me I had a microscopic muscle spasm and she gave me anti-inflammitory medication and gave me a shot in the neck. To make a long story short I did not go back to that doctor and switched physicians…eventually this pain turned into more of a dull nagging pain that settled into my left shoulder. It was tolerable up until about a month ago when out of no where it started hurting really badly, the pain is beside of my collar bone at my shoulder it is sharp pain that radiates out sometimes it feels like it goes up my neck. I also started feeling slight numbness in my arm. I went to another doctor who sent me to get X-rays they are clear. I am concerned it is a pinched nerve and conveyed that to my doctor but he seems to think that is not the case. The next step is physical therapy but I am concerned that I should get an MRI first. The doctor has said he cannot find what is wrong.

A physical therapist who has received MDT training (aka McKenzie method) focuses on the assessment of mechanical neck pain. Those who have undergone this training can reach a level of accuracy of 90% of an MRI when it comes to detecting the presense of a bulging or herniated disc in the neck (which is what causes the "pinched nerve"). It is NOT necessary to get an MRI before treatment…there are safegaurds built into the treatment approach that prevents progression of the problem if used appropriately. I REGULARY see patients without an MRI for back and neck pain…only when they fail to make progress do I insist on further testing. Furthermore, when patients tell me they’ve had an MRI, I usually don’t ask for the results until I have completed the examination…I’ve yet to find someone who I thought had a disc problem that wound up having a negative MRI. Go for the physical therapy and find someone who has had MDT training…at least through "McKenzie" part "B" (there are a series of 4-5 courses).

I have had back and neck pain and a grumpling stomach for a month now but recently my I have gotten a little dizzy and my vision is blurred a little and my whole body feels really heavy when I lay down. What could this possibly be. I have gotten an EKG, MRI of lower back and neck, CT scan of lower lumbar, and various bloodwork. I don’t have high or low bloodpressure or diabetes. Please help!

I had a family member with those symptoms who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis.

Please continue to see your doctor . . . or even find another doctor if necessary.

The muscles in my shoulder and neck area are always aching and tense.Right now, the pain in my left shoulder area is hurting.I don’t know what is causing it or what I can do to make them feel better.Anyone know?

Common causes are from stress of constant chronic elevation of the shoulders as in holding a phone without proper elbow support or sitting in a chair without proper armrests. Other causes are injury to the joints from a side to side force and long term or chronic compression of the muscle as with tight bra straps or a heavy coat that does not fit right. The reference below illustrates a stretch which may help.

I have had Lower neck pain and shoulder pain, I get this tingle fell and it really hurts me. My doctor siad it maybe my backpack so i cut down on carrying and it still hurts a bunch I just dont know what to do?

It’s a good possibility that you have a pinched nerve. If not using your backpack doesn’t help after a couple weeks you should again see the doctor. It was a good first suggestion from the doctor to try not using the backpack. But if that doesn’t fix it it is appropriate to be checked again by the doctor.

She cant even get out of bed because she feels so dizzy.
She has had a few migraines recently too.
Can shoulder and neck pain make you feel this dizzy?
She is now taking ibruprofen. And my mum rubbed some Ibuleve into her neck and shoulders.
Can anyone else recommend anything, or give me any idea what could make her so dizzy she cant get up from bed?
Thank you

hi,
yes potassium levels and blood pressure needs to be monitored..
low blood pressure also can cause this problems..

one another common cause for dizzy is ‘ears’.. there is a condition called’bening positional paroxysmal vertigo’.. which simply means people get ‘head spinning sensation’ every time they bend down, or move the head , turn while lying on bed..
the treatmetn for it is ‘bed rest’ , medications for ‘vertigo’ and an exercise called ‘eppley’.. you can search the net for BPPV and get more info..