Neck and back pressure

[krstturner]

I have been having a lot of issues with my neck and back. My symptoms started when I was 22, 7 years ago. It started when I woke up one day and had this pressure on one side of my neck, right under the base of my skull and behind my ear. I had this constant feeling of needing to stretch or crack my neck all day. Well this feeling never went away. Eventually I got the pressure on the other side of my  neck as well. I can sometimes hear cracking noise inside my head from this and a noise that almost feels like I have fluid in my neck or head. While its not painful, it is extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing because I have to constantly move my head. But it hasn't stopped, eventually I started getting pain in one of my jaws and then the other so now I feel like I have to constantly move my facial muscles. Then I started getting pressure in my back behind my shoulder blade. When this acts up I feel the need to constantly stretch my back and the feeling goes all the way down my left arm and hand. They never all bother me at the same time though. When one side of neck or my back is acting up, the other side doesn't bother my as bad. or when my back is acting up my neck doesn't bother me as much, and vice versa. I am assuming this has something to do with my nerves, but I have no idea what. I am one of those people that is terrified to go to the doctor because Im afraid of hearing bad news. My friends and family don't really know whats going on either because I don't want them to bug me all the time about going to see a doctor. I am starting to warm up to the idea about going to see a doctor because the quality of my life just *****. I  have been dealing with this for a long time, and I just want to feel normal again. I would just like some type of idea of what I am dealing with before going to the doctors. Please help or give me some ideas of what it could be

[jemma116]

Creaking and cracking noises of bones is referred to as "crepitus".

When there are problems in the spine, nerves can be impinged and can cause problems in the arm and sometimes right down to your hand and fingers.

The only way that you would know if you have osteoarthritis is if you had imagining done by way of an xray.

Muscle spasms can also cause problems and a message can help to release and loosen those up.

The only way to get a proper diagnosis and the appropriate treatment is to see your doctor and get the appropriate imaging and tests done.

[krstturner]

I do not think its osteoarthritis or anything similar. I am not in pain, I am uncomfortable because I feel the constant need to move, stretch, and crack my neck and back. I also feel it in my arm and hand when my back is acting up. I think it has something to do with  my nerves, I just don't know what...

[jemma116]

With the symptoms that you describe, it may be a spinal problem due to degeneration (osteoarthritis).  

Book an appointment to see your doctor and explain the symptoms to him.  I would hope that he will send you for imaging tests or xrays to find out what is going on with the spine and especially the neck and thoracic area.

Unfortunately there is no cure for bone problems, but there are remedies to help you deal with the pain and discomfort.  Ask to be referred to s physiotherapist to give you appropriate exercises to do and they may suggest neck traction if they feel it may help.

The jaw problem is likely to be a bone issue too.

Keep away from draughts and getting any cold on your neck.  Wear a scarf to keep it warm.