PAIN IN THE NECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  I STARTED HAVING SLIGHT NECK PAIN IN EARLY SUMMER. THE SENSATION GRADUALLY WORSENED WITH STRESS AT WORK. I SEEN MY DOCTOR FOR LAB AND X-RAYS. THEY CAME UP NEGATIVE. I THEN SEEN A CHIROPRACTOR FOR 12 VISITS. THIS HAD NO RESULTS EITHER.  MY DOCTOR HAS PUT ME ON BUSPAR FOR ANXIETY WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE PAIN IS STRESS RELATED. AFTER 3 WEEKS I FEEL MORE RELAXED, HOWEVER THE PAIN (SLIGHT AND ANNOYING) HAS REMAINED. MY QUESTION IS ONCE THE NECK AND SHOULDER MUSCLES ARE AGGRAVATED IS IT COMMON TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS FOR MONTHS.  ALSO IS IT COMMON FOR NECK PROBLEMS TO AFFECT MY VISION AND MAKE THE ARMS FEEL WEAK?
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Thanks for your question.  The most common cause of neck discomfort/pain
is indeed minor muscle "contractions"/"spasms", however that should NOT
affect either your vision, nor the actual strength of your limbs.  It is
quite possible that the "arm weakness" that you are experiencing is caused
by the pain/discomfort in moving the shoulders/arms, and not reflected in
actual decrease of muscle strength.  However, a careful physical/neurological
examination should be performed to ascertain that your symptoms are not
secondary to nerve root compression as they exit the spine.  Although it
is uncommon that a muscle spasm is the primary cause of neurological
lesion/impairment, the local pain and muscle irritation can be a result
of preexisting/undiagnosed vertebral column/spinal cord/nerve root problems.
The plain X-ray is adequate to detect overt osteo-articular problems, but
it is not sufficient for a complete evaluation of the surrounding soft tissue.
If your symptoms persist or worsen in intensity, please discuss with your
physician the possibility of a more detailed imaging of the cervical spine,
preferably a MRI scan of the region.  At the moment, it is unclear why you
are having visual problems.
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.