Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 1/11/2009

Question
I have been having neck pain (somewhere around C-6,7 maybe) with crepitus, almost everyday for the past year or so.  It seems to be getting worse, meaning ibuprofen/ice pack is not helping the pain. It is constant, and movement seems to help as long as I don't turn or roll my head too far. Sometimes its there when I wake up and last all day,...sometimes it starts later in the day. I do have pain also in my shoulders, elbows and hands as well.  I guess my question is...I am a nursing student and I read all the time...could this neck pain with crepitus, just be from reading?

Answer
staten island neck pain , crepitus , reading posture , C6- C7 , pain meds ,



Hello Lisa,

Congratulations on becoming a nurse.  We could not live without you!!!

Sorry to hear of your neck pain, crepitus, shoulder, elbow, hand pain.

First, let me talk about treating symptoms, not treating the cause:
".....It seems to be getting worse, meaning ibuprofen/ice pack is not helping the pain....." - I have an informational handout sheet I give to my Staten Island Neck Pain patients:



PAIN     

Pain  is a  ‘red light on the dashboard’.
 
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car- -- do you ignore it until the car breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?


     NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.  These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  ‘VSC’ ,    ‘subluxation’   )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.

 Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for ‘Subluxation’. Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- ‘Subluxation’ – can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.



Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.



The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.


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.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.

       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.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++




LONG term use of pain medications can certainly cause problems, I am not against pain meds, but--
-- we have to evaluate as to the CAUSE of the pain, perhaps we can treat the cause, rather then just treat symptoms.
-- we do have to be cautious when using medications due to side effects and complications.


"....It seems to be getting worse...."- get an evaluation!



Another handout I utilize:


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

-can be caused by big bad things: cancers, tumors, fractures, even heart attacks- only history/ examination/ evaluation by an appropriate health professional can differentiate these problems/ conditions.   

USUALLY  these  complaints  are  neuro-musculo-skeletal.   For  example: 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’.   Sometimes  we  just  slept  wrong !   

Sometimes, shoulder, arm, elbow, hand symptoms can RADIATE downward from the neck !

Often-  the true    c a u s e   of  the neck stiffness and pain;  the underlying  c a u s e    of the complaint  - is a misalignment,  a ‘kink’  in  the  neck -  more  properly  termed  a   Vertebral  Subluxation.  Treat the   c a u s e,  not just  the  symptoms - for  true  improvement.

         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.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


"....I do have pain also in my shoulders, elbows and hands as well...",  This requires evaluation.  Of course, I recommend your local Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).  These symptoms can start in the cervical spine.

"....I am a nursing student and I read all the time...could this neck pain with crepitus, just be from reading?....", yes.
Posture can cause this.  Prolonged, habitual posture can cause this.
CHANGE your posture!  Do not stay in the same position longer then 15- 20 minutes.  Prolonged postures cause monotony (mono- tonus  in the muscles, and leads to breakdown).  Prolonged postures lead to fatique and irritation and breakdown.  CHANGE your posture every 15- 20 minutes.

Creptus- does not HAVE to be bad.  The Body makes noises, hearts beat, stomachs gurgle, lungs wheeze, blood vessels whoosh.  Joints can make noise also.  Crepitus without pain is usually fine.  Crepitus with pain can show a more serious condition.  Check this out with your local Doctor.  The Chiropractor will evaluate you, treat if appropriate, refer if appropriate.

I hope the above helps. If further info is needed, do not hesitate to
re-contact me here at AllExperts.com
( http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm )

Change your posture !, See the DC !


Thank You,
your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,


Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (email newsletter)
http://SIautoaccident.com
http://SIworkcomp.com