Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 6/20/2008

Question
the side of my neck hurts and when i hold my head up my sholder hurt  and throat what will happen

Answer
Neck pain, Shoulder pain, Herniated disc, pinched nerve, sore throat, wryneck, torticollis, cervical- brachial radiculitis, whiplash, cervical acceleration deceleration injury, cervical vertebral subluxation complex.

Hello Whitney,

Sorry to hear of your neck pain, shoulder pain, throat pain, and pain upon holding your head up.

Several things go through my thought process.

How old are you, have you had neck pain, neck problems before, have you had any trauma (car crash, slip, trip, fall, motor vehicle accident), wake up with a stiff neck ? , What seems to bring this on, make it worse, make it better ?

Conditions, problems that may cause your complaints or be associated with your complaints are listed at the top end of this discussion -
Neck pain, Shoulder pain, Herniated disc, pinched nerve, sore throat, wryneck, torticollis, cervical- brachial radiculitis, whiplash, cervical acceleration deceleration injury, cervical vertebral subluxation complex. -  These are things that go through my thought process.

Did you sleep wrong and wake up with a 'stiff neck'?  Has this happened before?  This type of complaint is very common in this Staten Island Chiropractic office.  Sometimes people sleep in a new bed, with a new pillow, fall asleep on the couch, sleep on their stomach ( a no- no ), or just sleep in an awkward position and cause neck pain; also known as wryneck, torticollis, possibly cervical sprain/ strain.  This cervical problem includes the cervical vertebral subluxation complex (see discussion below), may include a cervical herniated disc, and can lead to a pinched nerve, more correctly termed cervical-brachial neuritis or cervical-brachial radiculitis.  

You mention throat pain.  Do you have a cold, flu or virus?, are you recovering from a cold, flu or virus?  Is it possible you have swollen glands and pain/ soreness in your neck (probably not shoulder) from this etiology?- from a cold?, probably not.  I think your throat pain is due to something else.

Have you had this a long time? Is it severe?- if it is, perhaps you could even have a cervical IVD herniation (disc herniation).  If you have had trauma- big or small, or a long term stiff neck, perhaps you have a herniated disc in your cervical spine.  This is best tested by an MRI ordered by your Doctor of Chiropractic.

Have you had trauma? An auto accident, slip, trip, fall could cause this type of complaint.

All of this may sound complicated or bad,,, but be of good cheer-
Visit your local family Doctor of Chiropractic and a thorough evaluation and appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and referral if needed should be easily made.  As I said earlier, this Staten Island Chiropractor sees neck pain every day, all day, and treats it successfully!

Here is a handout I utilize in my office when evaluating/ informing someone about neck pain:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Stiff   Neck”   
( Also Known As-  wryneck, torticollis, neck muscle spasm )

Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  a  ‘stiff  neck’,  or  a  muscle spasm.... sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a ‘stiff neck’.

Ultimately- Often the true    c a u s e   of  the neck stiffness and pain;  is a misalignment,  a
‘kink’  in  the  neck -  more  properly  termed  a   Vertebral  Subluxation.

Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

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Whiney, I would recommend a trip to the local SPINE SPECIALIST, your local family Doctor of Chiropractic for a complete evaluation and possible treatment.  Xray, MRI may be part of the examination, or may not be necessary- depending upon what the Doctor finds. Get into the chiropractic office, and your neck pain should be appropriately handled.

This is your Staten Island Chiropractor wishing you good luck and Good Health Naturally  !

As always this article is for discussion, information and educational purposes only.  Actual evaluation, DX, TX, RX, PX can only be made by a treating health professional in person.

Thanks for the question,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com  (email newsletter)
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://www.DocDolan.net