[Alina]

#6685

Dear Doctor,
My name is Alina and I am a 27 year old female.
I have been having terrible neck pain for a couple of years, but nobody was able to put a diagnosis. Some doctors said it was cervical spondylosis, but after a MRI the neurosurgeon I visited said that there is nothing wrong with my spine. The pain is locate very close to my skull, and it feels like a hot iron. The longest crisis I had lasted around 7-8 days in a row. I don’t feel pain in my shoulders or arms, but it reflects in my eyes and on my forehead (it feels like a burning – stinging sensation). The intensity of pain was around 3 – a couple of years ago, but now it is around 7-8. It has been increasing rapidly lately. I cannot do any type of physical activity (like going to the gym)because the pain will surely start.

Could you give me some advice on what I should do, because I am getting really frustrated with having no answer?

Thank you,
Alina

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#6693

Neck pain can be generated by the discs or the facets. Rarely, neck pain can be generated by neuropathic pain (injury to the nerves themselves but very rare).

If the MRI looks “normal” and there is no evidence of disc degeneration, then the facets are suspect. There are times that disc degeneration is present but overlooked by the examining physician. The test for facet mediated pain (other than a good history and physical examination) is facet blocks (see website for more information).

Dorsal facet rhizolysis is the treatment if the facets are the pain generators.

Dr. Corenman

[Author]

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