Decrease font size
Default font size
Increase font size
May 26, 2012
 

Stiff neck and shoulder for about a week

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have had a stiff neck and shoulder for about a week now with the pain also in my back under my left shoulder blade also i have pain in my left calf and when i flex my ankle forwards and backwards i feel pressure in my heart area is this something i should be unduly concerned over or is just related to my stiff neck.

Dear Dan: The neck pain may have many causes including: muscle strain, ligaments sprains, arthritis, or a radicular compression (pinched nerve). A cervical strain may be produced by everyday life stress like inadequate postures, muscle tension maybe from psychological stress or poor sleeping habits. You may have: stiffness and tightness, the pain of course and the limitation in the movements, all these may last up to six to 8 weeks. In the majority of cases the conservative treatment is effective, meaning: anti inflammatory medication, local alternating ice and heat, massage and practice a stretching exercise routine consistently every day. If after follow these measures the pain does not improve a further evaluation is recommended to rule out other more serious possible causes of the neck pain and according to that decide the best treatment option for you.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 31 January 2012 )
 

Related Articles

Sporadic and multiple joint pain

Episodes of sharp pain behind or under ribs

Pain in the Belly Button

What is the Cause of Sore Breasts?

Numbness in left buttock and back of left thigh after repeated falls

Young woman with neck, shoulder pain and headache

Hip pain radiated down to the leg

Flat feet producing pain when walking

Sore and swollen toe

Rib pain due to fall from a horse

Pain in the Kidneys that radiates to the scrotum

Pain after tendon repair hand surgery

Hit under the ribs with a tennis ball

Sharp pain that travels from the groin to the foot

Recurrent Nose bleed when I blow my Nose

Teenager with episodes of neck pain radiated to the shoulder

Pain and tingling in ankle and foot

Persistent Pain After Sinus Surgery

Neck pain radiated to the shoulders for six years in a teenager

Pain in the rib area after spine surgery

Neck and shoulder pain with previous history of carpal tunnel syndrome

Severe pain in the heels for few weeks

Dental Pain, what medication will help?

Multiple joint symptoms in man with previous history of surgical meniscus repair

Abdominal cramps after periods

Possible trigeminal neuralgia in a 64 years old woman

Young woman, smoker with pain in right calf

Possible Apendicitis or kidney infection, sharp side and lower back pain

Pain on right side

Tender C-section scar and heavy menstrual bleed with clots

Throbbing Forearm Pain in a teenager

Possible cervical degenerative bone changes causing severe pain

Degenerative disc problem, lower limbs discrepancy and leg pain

Pain running down from upper inner thigh

Left Side Rib Pains

Mouth pain and Acute Pharyngitis

Left ankle pain due to a sudden movement playing tennis

Throat pain and Difficulty in Swallowing

Sharp pain in multiple parts of the body

Post traumatic pain and swelling in the big toe

Tightness and pain in the hips and buttock: Possible Piriformis Syndrome

Discomfor and occasion sharp pains in the right side of the abdomen.

Irregular menstruation with pain

Hand injury after a fall a week ago

Re fractured nose with deviated nasal septum

Stomach area pain which increases on taking deep breaths

Left Sided Abdominal Pain

Chest pain when cough or sneeze for the last week

Rib pain after extreme movement

Possible Cervical nerve compression causing neck pain

Is this pain from EMG done weeks ago?

Left Rib Pain Radiating To Left Arm

Neck Pain possibly Stress-related

Pain when swallowing radiated to the neck

What could be causing this pain in the middle, right-side of my abdomen?

Possible post traumatic Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction

Severe burning pain on top of hand

Numbness in left arm and neck pain

Pain After IUD Removal

Numbness and burning pain in the hand

Burning pain in lower part of the abdomen radiated to groin for two years

Neck pain and numbness in the right side of the body

Sharp Left Sided Stomach Pain

Pain in the plantar side of the feet

Severe pain in the back and neck along with other symptoms for several years

Leg pain and cramps many times a week

Nocturnal severe shin pain relieved by standing up

Severe neck and shoulder pain and numbness for three days

Pain and numbness in the right hand and arm with previous history of shoulder injury

Possible Piriformis Syndrome and sciatica

Upper back pain worsens with arm rotation

Possible thumb capsulitis after a extreme forced movement

Ankle sprain three months ago while playing Badmington

Pain in the armpit that radiates to the breast

Pain in lower left adomen after Microdiscectomy

Re injured foot: first a puncture wound then a car accident

Injured leg from fall of a ladder

Young teenager with pain in the upper torso and lab tests negative.

Upper back pain worsens with breathing movements

Intermittent claudication - Pain in both legs

Strained Biceps femoris dancing one year ago

Left abdominal pain in a female

Episodes of twiching and acute neck pain

What specialist to see for a possible Carpal tunnel syndrome?

Ankle surgery three years ago and still some pain

Shoulder pain radiated to upper back

Burning pain on my upper hand

Lot of testicular pain

Neck pain in a teenager: acute torticollis

Breathing problem

Ankle biopsy for medial malleolus damage

Acute muscle spasms and cramps

Pain in Right Abdomen

Sharp pain and discolored stool

Index finger and knuckle bruised and swollen after a trauma

UPPER RIGHT QUADRANT PAIN

Painful leg modules.

Severe Coccix pain radiated to the genital area

I am having Muscle spasms and Cramps for a long time

Hip pain after using the inclined walking machine

About us | Follow us | Contact us | Advertising | Careers | Terms of Service | Site Map