Expert: Dr. Nekessa Remy - 10/24/2009

Question
Hi,
My dad just recently had pains in both the neck and back. He says that the pain in the back has cleared, but the pain in the neck has grown worse. He said it kind of feels like a burn going up his neck and it feels like its cramping. Just a couple of nights ago, he couldn't lay down with out the it hurting. I could hear that he was in pain because he was kind of groaning/whimpering, I recommended him to heat and ice it. He also said that as the pain spasms in his neck his ribs hurt too. I don't know what age means but he is 45. It puzzles the whole family, but we would like to know what it is and how it was caused. We also hope it isn't too serious.

Thank you very much!

Victoria

Answer
Hi Victoria
Without performing an actual examination, I am not able to provide you with a definitive answer. I will attempt to provide you with some information that you can take a chiropractor and hopefully get a solid diagnosis. The pain is his neck may be neurological in nature, meaning it may involve some nerves in the area. Has he noticed any headaches or numbness/ tingling along with his symptoms? He may have an impairment or impingement of a cervical nerves, which are the nerves that exit the spine in the neck region. Spinal restrictions and/ or muscular adhesions are common causes of nerve pain which is often burning in nature. At this point I would recommend only ice, in case there is an inflammation of the area. Heat may aggravate his symptoms. In terms of his rib pain it may be due to the spasms of the neck muscles as there are muscles in the neck region which attach to the upper ribs.  I would advise that your father seek treatment sooner than later especially if he is in as much pain as you are suggesting. I hope this helps

Dr. Nekessa Remy