???? Immense Neck ache/ heavy head feeling ?????

[contactadam2002]

I’m 19yrs old and have never had the problem described below before, or anything similar.
I was working on my computer during late January of this year and most likely as a result of bending over the computer for 10min+ increments on many occasions throughout the days of 1 particular week, I later began to realize that my head felt heavy.  
I have not experienced any of the tingling feelings in my hands or blurred vision or dizziness. It is very difficult for me to turn my head to the right (left hand side muscles feel very tight), but not as hard to turn it to the left. My head basically wants to face diagonally downwards (slightly to the left) and it’s a 24/7 struggle to keep it up. The intensity can very from day to day with no discernable pattern ever being noticed. Generally it will range from an almost tolerable ache (which would be 5-7 out of 10 intensity) mainly in the left hand side of my neck, to an extremely unbearable ache whereby I cannot go for very long without some support under the neck such as a folded cushion (suffice it to say that when it’s 8+ intensity that I don’t get out and about much, if at all). For the first few months it was varied in intensity, then as of June-August it was more often a 6 or 7 intensity and just recently as a result of a pulled deltoid muscle from playing golf (think that’s what I did) the intensity has climbed to maximum intensity and has stayed there for a couple of weeks. It just seems as if the body is reluctant to heal this problem once it’s reached the mildest intensity (which has been 5/10 but never seems to last very long).I have tried my best to keep exercising the neck muscles and ensuring that I keep my head upright for as long as I can, but frankly it hasn’t helped in the last 3-4months I’ve been trying that. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like someone has strapped a set of weights to my head and that the neck muscles feel stretched or very week.
I generally find that it’s even more intense when I sit down (especially at the computer).


So far I’ve tried;
Seen Physio- neck exercises and massages (massges helped a tiny bit, but nothing noticeable)
Heat packs (slightly helpful, but more so when ache is near maximum intensity)
Pain killers (no help at all)
Acupuncture (no help at all)
Changing Sleeping arrangements- pillows, mattress, body position (no help at all)
Improving Posture (even over prolonged amounts of time there was no difference)
MRI scan (bones seem fine)

I’m not going to go on and on about how disruptive it’s been and how it’s ruined everything for me, but I am desperately seeking any relevant advice that may at least partially if not entirely alleviate me of this problem.

I have a hospital appointment with a specialist very soon, but until then I’d really appreciate any suggestions you have to offer. I’ll respond to any suggestions or questions within a few hours maximum.

Thanks

[mike1105]

Obviously I'm going to try everything available,

i wouldn't

[contactadam2002]

Besides, surely you went through the same options I did before you were fortunate enough to find the solution. How long did you actually have the problem before you embarked on the months of exercise (if you did it loads then I'm surprised you'd have had the time, cause even the ones I do take 20-30 mins).

[contactadam2002]

Apologies for the excess questions ,but I keep forgetting some. We talked about which side of my neck it was and you said probably both, but with differing intensities. When I try the neck exercises that I was given ages ago (presumably some of them are included in the books you recommended) why is it that my right muscle doesn't feel stretched at all when I do them for the right hand side?

[contactadam2002]

How much time did you need to set aside for all of these exercises because I have plenty of time in the evening, but not so much in some of the mornings?

[contactadam2002]

If I present a physio therapist with this information about the possible cause then hopefully he or she will be of more use this time and help to ensure Im doing the exercises correctly.

[contactadam2002]

Obviously I'm going to try everything available, but at the same time I'm going to do the exercises from the books you recommended. I've already had an MRI scan remember. Personally I don't care which one helps me, so long as there aren't any drastic side affects and the problem is solved. I'll be looking for those specific muscles groups and exercises in those books.