Neck pain and discomfort

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I got this mild pain on the back of my neck, near the head and on the spine across the shoulder and shoulder blade, and feels stiff and want to click it, when I turn my head from side to side it feels heavy and tired, like my head is creeking

I had issues like this for years. 

Things like my anxiety, stress (which I'm getting treated for but still get attacks)!and stressful physical work trigger it, also the hot weather, using a saw.

Was doing some plastering on a ceiling and it came back again last week, I been elevating my pillow due to GERD and that makes my neck feel achy too.

First time I had neck issues was 15 years ago following a beating by someone in school who used to bully me, it hurt and wanting to stretch and turn my neck for about a month, came back worse 10 years ago after falling off a bike, and had a whiplash again 2 years ago from a car accident, but wasn't a serious one. Can something from the past cause this?

I can turn my head and reach my chest with the chin with no problem, slight stretch in the back of the spine, is that normal?

Never got it looked at by a doctor, despite seeing them due to my hypochondria and anxiety playing tricks on me and having pains elsewhere,

Not sure if I should....

Would it have healed by now if it was something like some trauma from the past?

The pain does go away, it always feels stiff or just clicks from time to time, especially with stretching or turning my neck to try and see my back,, also some chairs make it worse and sitting position or looking up or down for too long tires the back of my neck, is this normal?

Are there some things I can try to relieve the discomfort?

2

I get that pain and I had a Ct scan a few years ago and it was nothing serious I did get painkillers which I don't take unless is a extreme painful. Neck and head pain is very bad because it deabilirates and takes from day to day life right now I have one on my neck . Have you been in the doctor yet? Maybe they need to do a X-ray. Is it muscle or it feels in the bone ?

3

No, haven't yet, the pain is mostly on the muscle of the shoulder and back side of the neck, it does hurt where the bones is, especially if I press it and not sure what's clicking when I turn my head from side to side but it's annoying especially when I have health anxiety as well and trying to reduce visits.

4

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your neck problem. You have had many injuries with your neck in the past and I wonder whether it has triggered an arthritis problem. I would ask your doctor for a neck X-Ray

to rule this out. I had similar symptoms as you and I had a neck X-Ray and was told I had osteoarthritis, wear and tear. I too am unable to manage with one or two pillows, I need to be propped up and that doesn't help. I take pain killers and do

neck exercises given to me by my physiotherapist..I get headaches and sometimes feel giddy if I look up or down.

Hope you can get it sorted soon.

Best wishes

5

Hi Red!

I have OA in my entire spine from head to tailbone and it sounds lilke you may have OA in your neck as well. I also have bulging discs and stenosis in my neck.

I get a grinding noise when I turn my head side to side and (after 2 neck surgeries), I still have pain that's in my neck, shoulders and shoulder blades.

I would suggest you see a doctor especially if you have numbness or tingling in your arm or fingers. They'll do an x-ray and maybe an MRI to diagnose it properly.

I do take a Vicodin daily just because i have OA everywhere else.

I also useBen-Gay, cold packs and moist heat (whichever makes you feel better) and sometimes a hot shower with the water beading on my neck makes it feels better and loosens my muscles.

They say that sometimes trauma or injury from the past is a breeding ground for OA.

Just make an appointment with your doc to have it properly diagnosed.

Good luck!

I hope you get some relief!