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Feeling Pain In Back When Bending Forward. How To Get Relief?

Posted on Tue, 16 Oct 2012

Question: Dear Doctor,
I feel pain in neck back side when i woke up or for some time when my neck is bend in forward direction.
But its a instant relief by 3 types of exerices:
1. Lifting both solders ( to & fro ) 30 times.
2. With arms expanded (90Degree to my length ) waving it upside down 30 times
3. Then holding my head with both hands (With Fingers crossed) back side and then with neck muscle pushing head in back direction and Hands giving it force for opposite direction.
I hope u understand what i have explained.
Regards
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sathyadharan Panneer (23 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXX,

Thanks for posting your query.

Your problem is early morning stiffness/pain in neck, relieved by physiotherapy.
I would like to know the following
1. How long are you suffering from this pain/ stiffness?
2. Whether the pain radiates down your arms?
3. Any associated numbness/weakness in your upper limb?
4. Any other joint(s) involved with similar stiffness / pain?

Seems you are suffering from early cervical spondylosis. I would suggest you to take an X-ray of your cervical spine along with few blood tests like ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate), CRP (C - reactive protein), RA Factor (Rheumatoid Factor) and HLA-B27.

Till that time,
1. Avoid pillows,
2. Continue the same exercises,
3. Avoid prolonged sitting / leaning forward/ 2 wheeler driving for long distances.

Do write back for follow up queries that you may have.

Get well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Sathyadharan Panneer (43 minutes later)

Dear Dr. Sathyadharan Panneer,

Thanks for giving immediate reply.

I would like to know the following
1. How long are you suffering from this pain/ stiffness?
2. Whether the pain radiates down your arms?
3. Any associated numbness/weakness in your upper limb?
4. Any other joint(s) involved with similar stiffness / pain?

Ans 1 - Almost 10yrs ( it not acute so i never took it so sriously)
i believe it happened because ( i lay on strainght bed with 3 pillows below my head just to watch TV and that too long Time. Because TV remote did not work from Far distance)
Ans 2 - No till arms it does penetrates , but when some times to upper portion of Solders
Ans - 3 No Weakness

Ans 4 - In Left Hand Wrist it happens as when i Fold it back wards for some time almost 90 Deg to the straight section.

Just add some info:

i long time visited to ortho doctor , then x-ray was done , he said X-ray is ok but your muscle are week near the pain area and u start doin these exercises which i mentioned above.

It pains more but some times and little pain always present.

and yes i do not take pillows
i am continuing the same excersies

Regards XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sathyadharan Panneer (12 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXX
Since the pain radiates down your shoulders on/off without any numbness/weakness, its just early spondylytic changes in your cervical spine.

A course of Muscle relaxants, interferential therapy (IFT) and ICT for a week followed by exercises will help you. If the problem persists, then plan for MRI of your cervical spine.

Hope I have answered your query. Feel free to ask in case you have any doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli

Follow up: Dr. Sathyadharan Panneer (21 minutes later)

Dear Doctor,

tell me what should i do, or i need to visit the Doctor for, how serious is this problem,
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sathyadharan Panneer (33 minutes later)

Since you are not experiencing any numbness/weakness, the problem is not serious as of now.
I would suggest you to get examined by your doctor, take a fresh Xray. Your doctor may advise you interferential therapy (IFT) and/or Intermittent Cervical Traction (ICT) along with muscle relaxants.
You should feel better within 2 weeks of starting the therapy.

Get well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar