Hi, I am a 41 year old woman, regularly work out in the gym with weights and have always stayed active. I work in an office for 32 hours a week. At present I have a very sore and stiff neck. I am very tender up around my top vertebrae and slightly to the left side. I also find it painful to turn to the left and look over my shoulder. I have been seeing an osteopath every six to ten weeks for about 10 months and after a visit when she realigns things I am much better. This injury does tend to happen to me 3-4times a year. Is there something I can do to prevent this happening. Or is it something that may need further investigation. I thing I may have originally hurt it 3 years ago waterskiing.
Hello and thanks for using Chat Doctor. I have read your question and understand your concerns. In my opinion, first there is need to diagnose correctly the kind and the degree of the damaged area of your neck and imaging studies are necessary to evaluate conditions such fracture, slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis), herniated disc disease, since there is trauma history. Cervical spine x-rays in neutral, flexed and extended position, MRI also are needed for this purpose. In mean time, use of a soft neck brace when you work out, travel or stand up for too long can help prevent further deterioration and can improve your symptoms. Discuss with your primary care Doctor about having done these examinations. Definite treatment ways should be clear after imaging studies. Hope you found the answer helpful. Take care.