Any experience with Spine/Neck issues?

[Turin39789]

A few years ago when I was clueless I was running the leg sled and doing some curls for maximum effect and 'kinked' my neck. For a few days I had limited motion, pain/discomfort when I tried to turn to much and it in general felt strained.

Went back to the gym 2 days later when it felt better and it started up all over again. Gave it time and was better in 4-5 days.

Every now and then it flares up again. Last week just before heading out on a trip was doing some reverse grip overhead presses for the first time and the pain was there. Took a few days but feels mostly better now. Wife and conscience are finally sending me to the doctor. Have an appoint with a spine doc group, but friend who had a lower back issue eventually wound up at a nearby chiropractic.

Currently thinking wait the month for the first spine appointment, get the xray/mri and then consider options.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

What is a reverse grip overhead press? Is that a behind-the neck overhead press? Because if that's the case, that can aggravate even a healthy neck, due to the poor positioning of the lift. Don't do those, they're terrible for your shoulders as well.

Seeing a spine doc is a bit much. If you were having neural symptoms (tingling, numbness, weakness in your upper extremity) then that would be a viable option. However, in this case, it sounds relatively dormant and not too problematic (unless you have other symptoms that coincide like spontaneous weight loss, nightsweats, etc). Since you have had a mechanical injury, I'd suggest seeing a physical therapist. The reason I don't suggest a chiropractor, especially for a very focal thing like this, is that they frequently do global manipulations that affect most of the vertebrae in the neck (even for the normal ones and the ones that move too much, which can be a problem). A physical therapist will do focal mobilizations of the given vertebra(e), give you stretches, and exercises to prevent that segment from falling back into the old position. Since many chiropractors don't give exercises or stretches, it's easy to fall back into old patterns. Also, I should mention that you likely don't need an x-ray or MRI. The fracture, if you had one, would already be healed and an MRI won't detect the most common neck pain structures - lightly sprained/strained ligaments and muscles.

This isn't a who's better thread - this is just my suggestion for your given problem. Do what you're comfortable with and what you have the most faith in. I have faith that a good physical therapist could really help you, but it's definitely your call. I hope it works out

 

[fenrir]

I would think he would need to see a doctor to get a physical therapist or chiropractor covered by insurance.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I would think he would need to see a doctor to get a physical therapist or chiropractor covered by insurance.

Only if the state or insurance requires it. In some states, they don't. Also, chiropractors are autonomous and don't require a referral in any state, I believe. It's only for physical therapists atm due to the youth of physical therapy as a profession. Ideally, the goal is to make PTs autonomous as well, but that's coming along slowly due to resistance from chiro's and doctors who will lose out on business due to the initial referral visit.

 

[Turin39789]

Never bothered to update, so just in case someone reads this down the road -

Went to the Spine Dr, had some xrays and a quick talk, everything looked ok with the bones and he pegs it on inflammation. Have some meloxicam leftover from my tendonitis in my foot, but otherwise just told to slam some aleve when symptops crop up.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Never bothered to update, so just in case someone reads this down the road -

Went to the Spine Dr, had some xrays and a quick talk, everything looked ok with the bones and he pegs it on inflammation. Have some meloxicam leftover from my tendonitis in my foot, but otherwise just told to slam some aleve when symptops crop up.

To be perfectly honest, that's a crock. If I told you to only treat your diabetes when it flared up, you'd be in a heck of a world of health problems. It's the same thing with neck issues. If you have a desk job, you likely have a forward head position, which contributes to the neck problems. That can be alleviated by re-gaining proper ROM (via joint mobes and stretching), postural re-training, and strengthening to maintain that proper posture - i.e. physical therapy. Keep in mind that if you're actually having neck issues that go unnoticed, you're at increased risk of things like stenosis (where the nerve or spinal cord begins to get impinged) and arthritis. The spine doc is more focused on bony damage, but that completely disregards disc, ligament, musculature, and joint. I'm just including this as some food for thought. If it bothers you so you have to take some prescription anti-inflammatories, you should probably get it addressed once and for all. As I said before, I'd suggest seeing a physical therapist.