Dull aches, headaches and cracking and popping!!

[KodyN752]

I've been getting a very dull ache like pain in the middle of my back, half way down and in my neck and also my shoulder has been cracking and popping all on the right side of my body.. I never injured it suddenly that I know of, it just slowly got to the stage that it is. My Dr. told me that its inflammation in my shoulder but I cant see that because it doesnt hurt to touch or anything like that and its like a strain feeling in my neck when I look right and my back has a dull ache. I also went for a run the other day and my upper back (spine area) was hurting and felt like it needed to be cracked ( stiffness type of pain).. I dont know what to do anymore and its starting to worry me... Im a 21 year old active and in good shape male!!

[KodyN752]

Im in the Military so it shouldnt be to hard to get the proper attention for this, Im just so worried about it because it affects so much of my career in the short term and long term depending on what it is.. Thanks again for your help with this, took some of the worrying off my shoulders. Im pretty pessimistic when it comes to my health, I always think its something thats going to stick with me.

[Kalvin]

You could have a couple of different things going on here, Its very difficult to distinguish between problems with the rotator cuff and shoulder pain of cervical origin. The upper back, scapula and shoulder are all linked and pretty much function in unison. If something isn't working right, it can effect everything.

If you have inflammation in your shoulder, I wonder what's causing it. I have a lot of shoulder pain and cracking, and in my elbow too. However, I have pretty advanced cervical disc disease so with me the cause is no mystery.

Since you so young I don't think you'll have any problem getting rid of this. You just need to see a good Physical Therapist.


Take Care

[KodyN752]

Thanks for your reply, but would a pinched nerve cause my shoulder joint to crack and pop? The pain in my neck feels like what I think a pinched nerve would feel like but would it explain the tension Im feeling in my upper back spine area?/


Thank you

[Kalvin]

You're right, inflammation of the shoulder wouldn't explain the neck pain. Shoulder pain can refer to the mid and upper back, however a more likely scenario would be that you might have a nerve that's slightly pinched in your neck. That would explain the upper back and shoulder pain, because nerves in the neck refer pain to both those places.

All you probably need is some anti-inflammatory meds and sometime in Physical Therapy to stretch and strengthen those neck muscles.


Take Care