back and neck pain

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ldisney

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I have had contstant headaches for several years, but in the last month they have gotten worse. I had whiplash in 12/08 (blowdrying my hair, of all things). since then I've had some muscle spasms and back pain. In the last two weeks it has been horrible. I hurt from the base of my skull to my hips. I can hear my neck grinding whenever I turn it from side to side. I can't sit or stand for more than 15-20 minutes at a time. I've switched mattresses and pillows, but that didn't help.
I went to a neurologist last week who did a CT scan looking for a cause for my headaches. I was just informed that it was fine.
My question is, can whiplash "come back"? I have had no trauma to any part of my body to cause it to flare up. This pain is really messing with my life!
Should I go to a chiropractor or orthopedist?
Please, any advice would be wonderful!
 
I would go to an ortho before a chiropractor personally. Also, an ENT (ear nose throat doc) would be a good option too because you could have something in your sinus cavity causing it. The whiplash can come back yes. SounRAB more like you have bone spurs or even degeneration of the cervical spine but I am not a doc, just my own experiences. An MRI might show more. Do some research online with your symptoms and check out the ortho's in your area and other Neuro's if you decide to go that route. Often you will meet with several before finding one that works well and listens well. Pain management-the right ones will actually work hard to identify the problem and refer you to the next phase. Not all PM's just treat with medications. Keep searching so you can get the relief you need.

Sincerely,
Frosty
 
I'm so sorry about the pain you're experiencing. Just for a clarification, was the CT Scan just of your head? I just know from experience (As a migraine sufferer), that in the past my Neurologist has tended to just do Head/Brain MRIs). It would be an Orthopedic specialist that would order more detail studies of your cervical spine and other areas of your spine region that are causing pain. If you're not sure, I think it's important to know exactly what the study was of. Because, at this point I think an MRI or CT scan of the spine would be warranted.

I agree with Frosty, I would definitely see an Orthopedic Spinal Specialist before considering seeing a Chiropractor. You really need to find out exactly what is going on and what is the cause of the pain.

I hope you get answers and relief soon. :angel:

~ Fiona Jo :wave:
 
thanks for the replies!
I have an appt with an ortho tomorrow morning.
The CT was just of my head. I hope the ortho can find something. My next stop may be a rheumo! I've decided that I've gone long enough in pain and I'm not going to stop until I figure it out!
 
I went to the ortho yesterday. He said my xrays looked fine, but I have "abnormal reflexes" on my left side. Not sure what that means. He gave me some anti inflammatories and muscle relaxers. I'm to go back on 4/1 to see if an MRI is needed.
 
Many times anti-inflammatory medication and muscle relaxers are quite effective getting the condition under control. A lot of times inflammation is the cause of the pain and reducing the inflammation can help drastically reduce the pain. I would say if your pain isn't under control by 4/1 then I would definitely insist on an MRI - this can reveal a lot more about what is going on with the soft tissue of your cervical spine.

I hope this treatment helps and you get relief from the pain. :angel:

~ Fiona Jo :wave:
 
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