Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 8/8/2009

Question
Dr Newhart,

 Thanks in advance for your consideration to answer my question.
I am a 54 year old male 5'11 inches tall and weight 180. I am in fairly descent shape psychically but I have been having some issues.

I tend to lie around most of the day and watch tv and at night I work on the computer and also watch tv. I have been for the last few years lying on my left side and propping up with my left arm and I have started noticing lately that it feels as though my chest muscles are tight and painful and also my neck hurts and feels strange and sometimes my side on my right side feels taught.

I have been lying on my left side for many years off and on and didn't really think it would be a problem but as of lately it has.
I get up sometimes and my chest muscles feel very tight and my neck hurts and my side and back hurt. Could this all be from muscle strain?

Maybe stretching the muscles of my neck and also chest muscles from propping up and why does it affect me now where it used to not really bother me? Thanks again in advance for your attention.


P.S
Also I do exercise and work around home and in the yard and also do normal errands so I don't lie around constantly but when I do I no longer can get comfortable the way I used to .I also have bad posture and have all my life.
                                           Michael

Answer
I would suggest an evaluation by a good chiropractor.  Positioning yourself as you have over years may have caused misalignment coupled with muscle tension.  A good chiropractor should be able to assess and treat this, as well as set you up in a good rehab. program to strengthen the spine.