Yes...Chiropractors do get neck (or low back) pain too!

So I have yet another opportunity to experience what many of my other patients feel...neck pain with radiating arm symptoms. Specifically, a constant dull ache in my right deltoid which gets stronger whenever I extend my head backwards. When I flex it forward, I get more localized pain near the base of my neck on the right side. Even worse, the last 4 days I've been noticing pareaesthesia (pins & needles sensation) down my entire arm and to the hand. Interestingly enough, it consistently gets worse whenever I sit down at the computer, in my car, on the sofa but is much better when I'm up standing or moving around. I've had this problem for about 3 months now and it actually seems to be getting worse!

How did I get this? Hmm....I know I haven't done anything specifically to my neck recently. But stress, lack of sleep (we just had another child!) and postural issues have probably combined to cause the flare up. The first time I had something similar was about 8 years ago when I was in chiropractic college...I was playing basketball and went up for a rebound when someone shoved me from behind. My head went snapping backward and I had a moderate case of whiplash. Of course, I received some physical therapy and chiropractic care at the college and within 2 weeks I was good again. But I do believe that one bad incident has predisposed me to earlier cervical degeneration. And the symptoms I am feeling are resulting from nerve compression at C5/C6. Whether the compression is caused by a disc problem or bone/joint problem is hard to say unless I get a CT or MRI done.

Sadly, doctors can often be the worst patients! I have been inconsistent with my own treatment. I've only used the laser therapy about 4-5 times during the last two months (mainly b/c I have to pack up the machine and bring it home with me in the evening which can be a bit of an inconvenience). I've also only been adjusted once in the last 4 months...haven't been going out for my usual once a month lunch date with an old chiropractor school friend, where after lunch we typically exchange adjustments.

Guess it's time to get disciplined like I tell my own patients. Regular treatment = steady improvement. So stay tuned. I'm in the same boat with the rest of you!

Dr. Keith