Cervical and Back Strain

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  Nine months ago while working at the post office I suffered a neck and back strain. My doctor put me on medication and I kept on working and was never given any test except an x-ray.  I have been on all sorts of medication which only mask the problem and are addicting.  The problem I am having now is extreme stiffness in the neck also my neck and shoulder muscles swell so bad that I can't move my neck and am in alot of pain.  The problem comes and goes depending on how much movement I cause to my neck.  It gets so bad I can't function for days and the other night I blackout from the medication I am taking.  All I ever get from my doctor is it is a strain, go to physical therapy but the problem is I can't move my neck let alone exercise it.  Now is am having swelling in my arm muscle too. Help!
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Thanks for your question.  It is correct that the most common cause of neck
or lower back discomfort is of muscular origin, however, given the prolonged
duration of your symptoms, and particularly, the traumatic origin of your
complaints, it is advisable to perform a more thorough imaging evaluation
of your spine.  A plain X-ray is adequate for the diagnosis of overt skeletal
abnormalities, but is much less appropriate for soft tissue damage, which
would include the vertebral discs, the spinal cord, the nerve roots, the
surrounding fat tissue, all of which might sustained damage during the
initial trauma.  Your current symptoms do NOT suggest a major spinal cord
or nerve root damage, but the persistent pain could result from mild lesions
to those neural structures.  If you are seeking a second medical opinion,
you should consider an evaluation by a neurologist specialized in peripheral
nervous system.  After a careful physical/neurological examination, he/she
might consider the necessity of an imaging study, such as a MRI of spine
to properly evaluate your condition.
I hope this information is helpful.  Best of luck.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.