Looking for help diagnosing my issue and who I should go see in Dallas to help.

I did something to my neck back in August. It started when I decided to start trying full range front squats and hurt something on the right side of my neck. I think limited shoulder mobility was the root cause.

It has gotten better and worse in waves over the last 6 months and I tend to reaggrevate it lifting. I just really reaggrevated again last week doing back squats.

The pain is on the right side at the C7. It does not seem to radiate down my arm, but i do get a bit of burning sensation when it's really inflamed. It really causes a lot of knots and tightness across my entire trap and neck.

Looking down and to the left is painful and stretches the affected area. Pushing my head straight back or to the left can pop the area and provide a small amount of relief.

I'm leaning towards it just being a muscle strain, but it's been bothering me enough now that I need to get some help. (I'm normally extremely reluctant to see a doctor. )

I am 37 and have pretty consistently done powerlifting compound lifts since high school and never had this issue.

Need a CT or MRI to see if you have a herniation/bulge or what is going on. Orthopedist - I'm in ATL, so no recommendation there.

Sucks. Good luck.

Why are you reluctant to see a doctor? Bad experiences?

Typically it has been a waste of time and money. Which is why I'd like to find the right person to go to. There are "Spine Centers" all over the place, but they seem to vary greatly between PT focused, orthopedics, pain management, chiropractic etc. Some feel like kind of car wreck injury/ insurance money grabs.

Last time I went to a dr. was after a backpacking trip where I thought I might have picked up giardia. The dr. came back to the room with a google printout of the BRAT diet. I nearly walked out of the room.

Some orthopods will recommend surgery at the drop of a hat. Avoid. I'd still go to one and get a CT scan to know what's going on. If it were me, (if recommended) I'd do an injection (nerve block) to see that that does. Surgery only as a last, last resort. I'd also consider a RFA or radio frequency ablation fi the nerve block is good. All that is non-invasive.

A surgery and discectomy/fusion is not good. Puts pressure on the above/below vertebrae and those may fail in time too.

Some medication like Flexeril or Mobic might do wonders. You need a doc to prescribe those for ya.

Where are you in Dallas? I've been seeing an orthopedist in Plano for a shoulder issue that I've been pretty happy with. They have been very conservative when it comes to treatment. First x-ray and then PT for awhile (which has definitely helped). Finally had an MRI in December, and there is some damage that can only be corrected by surgery, although we decided to put it off for now, as between the PT and work in the gym, I've been making good progress on getting back to what I was doing before.

harge57 said:

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Last time I went to a dr. was after a backpacking trip where I thought I might have picked up giardia. The dr. came back to the room with a google printout of the BRAT diet. I nearly walked out of the room.

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why?? did you actually have giardia?


IMO CT and XR will be useless,
MRI would provide significantly better information

I would start with a Pain Specialist (PM&R or Anesthesiologist). If they feel imaging is necessary, then they will order an MRI. CT is not really helpful in your situation. At that point, they will treat you or send to a surgeon if needed.

This.