Neck and Lower Back Issues Experienced by a Navy Security Officer
Late last year, I found myself engrossed in my role as a harbor security officer for the navy, where my responsibilities often include spending extensive hours piloting a boat, sometimes encountering quite turbulent waters. One fateful day, we landed hard after riding a wave, and an intense pain shot through the right side of my neck and the lower section of my back on the left. Despite my consultations with medical professionals, I have not found any effective solutions to my discomfort. At night, the burning sensation in my neck intensifies when I try to sleep, and throughout the day, I endure a persistent pressure in my back. Frankly, I am at my wits' end with this situation.
Answers (1)
8/9/2025, 2:30:53 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re going through a really tough experience with the pain in your neck and lower back, especially after that incident. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when discomfort persists despite seeking help. Here’s a structured approach to managing your symptoms:
Main Points
- You might be experiencing musculoskeletal injury or strain, which can cause burning and pressure sensations.
- Focus on pain relief strategies, gentle exercises, and potentially modifying your daily activities to support recovery.
Explanation
The intense pain you felt after landing hard on the boat could have caused a strain or injury to your muscles, ligaments, or even the spine. This can lead to ongoing discomfort and issues like muscle tension, nerve irritation, or even inflammation. The fact that the pain worsens at night and you feel pressure during the day indicates that you may need to focus on relieving tension and improving support for your back and neck.
Next Steps
-
Pain Management:
- Try using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen or naproxen) to help manage pain and reduce inflammation. Follow the recommended dosages.
- Apply heat or cold packs to the affected areas for 15-20 minutes at a time. Heat can help relax muscles, while cold can reduce swelling.
-
Gentle Movement:
- Engage in light stretching exercises specifically for the neck and back. Consider simple stretches like tilting your head side to side and gentle spinal twists, which can improve flexibility. Ensure you don’t push through pain.
- Incorporate short walks into your day. Movement can mitigate stiffness and enhance circulation.
-
Sleep Position:
- Pay attention to your sleep posture. Try sleeping on your back with a supportive pillow that keeps your neck aligned. You might also explore a side position with a pillow between your knees to support the lower back.
-
Activity Modification:
- Be mindful of activities that exacerbate your pain. If piloting or other movements cause discomfort, take breaks and stretch regularly. Consider ergonomic adjustments if possible to your workspace or pilot's area.
-
Track Your Symptoms:
- Keep a daily journal of your pain levels, activities, and what seems to help or worsen the discomfort. This can provide insight for you and your healthcare provider in future discussions.
If your symptoms persist or worsen, particularly if you experience numbness or severe pain that limits your movement, reaching out to a healthcare provider who specializes in musculoskeletal issues or physical therapy may provide further options for relief.
Remember, it can take time to find the right combination of strategies that work for you, so be patient with yourself during this healing process. Let me know if you need more information or have other questions!
Related Questions
Struggling with Tonsil Stones in My Throat
I'm a 21-year-old Finnish Canadian woman weighing approximately 178 pounds and standing at 4'11" (149 cm). Generally, I don’t have any significant health concerns, aside from the annoyance of tonsil stones that have particularly bothered me lately. (Unless you include autism as a health issue, which I don’t). I am not currently on any medications, I don’t use recreational drugs, and I live in Canada, outside of the US. As indicated in the title, my troubles began last Friday. I am dealing with a large tonsil stone lodged deep in my throat, and it’s incredibly frustrating. The issue surfaced when I attempted to gargle with some water in an effort to expel it, but unfortunately, it slipped further down my throat instead. Despite trying various methods to remove it, it remains stuck, neither moving downward nor being expelled. It feels like it’s pressing against my vocal cords, creating a very uncomfortable sensation. I would greatly appreciate any advice or tips to help dissolve or dislodge it!
Unexpected Knee Discomfort
Hello, I'm F19. Last year, I experienced an abrupt onset of severe knee pain that seemed to appear from nowhere. The level of discomfort varies, and at times, it strikes my left knee while at other times, it affects my right. There have been moments when the pain peaked so intensely that I was nearly unable to walk and felt like I might topple over. I sought help from a physician, who initially suggested that I simply incorporate more stretching and squats into my routine. However, I quickly found that this just exacerbated the pain in my knees. After enduring months of persistent discomfort, I returned to discuss my ongoing issues and was scheduled for an MRI, but it was only for my left knee. The doctor diagnosed me with minor inflammation in that knee. Following this, he recommended a treatment known as "Ultrasound therapy" and reiterated the importance of continuing my stretching regimen. To be frank, I have some reservations about his recommendations. My job requires me to be quite active, involving a considerable commute. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this situation and whether you believe I should seek a second opinion from another medical professional. I also have the MRI images saved on my phone, so let me know if you’d like me to share those in a comment. Please pardon my English, as it is not my native language.
Persistent Petechiae: Seeking Insights
For the past several weeks, my eight-year-old daughter has been developing a petechiae rash, which is appearing on her face, neck, chest, arms, and legs. While some spots disappear, new ones continuously emerge, creating a concerning cycle. We visited her pediatrician for further examination, where lab results indicated a PT of 28.8, an INR of 2.8, and an aPTT of 62, all of which suggested significant prolongation. After repeating the tests, thankfully, all the results returned to normal levels. We also screened for Von Willebrand disease, which came back negative, and her complete blood count (CBC) and platelet levels were within the normal range. Despite these findings, she continues to experience new outbreaks of petechiae, which is troubling for her, particularly since the rash is visible on her face and neck, causing her some embarrassment. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation or have any suggestions that I could discuss with her pediatrician? I will share some images in the comments for reference. Additionally, I wanted to mention that tests for cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) also yielded negative results.
Twenty-Year-Old Male with Suspected ARVC
I am a 20-year-old man, standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 134 pounds. Throughout my life, I have never smoked or consumed alcohol, and I maintain a routine that includes regular exercise. Currently, I am prescribed Adderall in an extended-release dosage of 30mg, which my cardiologist has assured me is unrelated to my current issues. Additionally, I have been put on a 25mg extended-release version of Metoprolol. In February, I found myself in the emergency department due to shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and tachycardia, accompanied by a mild fever of 101 degrees. Initial investigations, including a chest X-ray and a CT scan, returned normal results. However, the EKG showed exceedingly tall P waves along with a right axis deviation of 100 degrees. Blood tests, including a comprehensive viral panel and bacterial cultures, showed no abnormalities. For further monitoring, I was given a Holter monitor for 14 days. This revealed no significant arrhythmias, aside from a 2% burden of premature atrial contractions (approximately 3,000 daily) and a 1% burden of premature ventricular contractions (around 350 daily). A subsequent consultation with a cardiologist led to an echocardiogram, which revealed some concerning findings. It showed a mildly enlarged right ventricle with diminished function and slow wall motion. There was also a prominent trabecular pattern and moderator band in the right ventricle. The left ventricular septum appeared abnormal, and my TAPSE was assessed at 18mm. Thankfully, the overall left ventricle function was found to be normal, while only minimal regurgitation in the mitral valve and tricuspid regurgitation at around 9% were noted. From there, a cardiac MRI was performed, adding another layer of complexity. This imaging revealed a severely dilated right atrium with an atrial volume index of 55mL. The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was mildly reduced at 44%, while the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) stood at 51%. The report emphasized that the right ventricle was considered "borderline dilated". Fortunately, the left side of my heart appeared intact and normal. While they noted "no late gadolinium enhancement" in the right ventricle, details were vague, leading me to wonder if potential scarring might not have registered on the images, especially if it was diffused rather than localized. Additionally, the T1 mapping indicated a figure of 1051ms, conducted on a 1.5T cardiac MRI machine. According to the 2010 task force criteria for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), I meet two minor criteria: the reduced RVEF of 44% and an RVEDVI of 105mL. There is a family history of sudden cardiac death in my lineage, as my grandfather passed away at 39 in the 1970s, but without autopsy findings, the cause remains uncertain. Genetic testing has yet to be performed. It’s perplexing to me as there are no signs of pulmonary hypertension, my heart valves are functioning normally, and there have been no evident dangerous arrhythmias. I was supposed to consult directly with my cardiologist but have instead been referred to the Cleveland Clinic for further assessments. To any medical professional reading this, I would greatly appreciate your insights. Do you believe this points to ARVC? If so, is it being caught in its early stages? If not, what other explanations could there be for my symptoms? Should I consider avoiding high-intensity exercise? I'm happy to share more details such as EKG results or imaging reports if needed.
Concerns About Colon Health at 16: Seeking Guidance
Hello everyone. I'm a 16-year-old girl from Ontario. Around two months ago, I began facing intense anxiety and persistent fatigue, which left me feeling quite unsettled. Shortly after, I started noticing some blood in my stool—this happened about four times, and the appearance varied, leaving me unsure if it was indeed blood. Following that, I encountered significant stomach cramps, particularly a severe pain that radiated through my lower back and glute area, resembling sciatica. This pain became unbearable, prompting me to visit the emergency room where I underwent blood tests that returned normal results, as well as an ultrasound. The latter revealed what they described as "minor" thickening of my colon wall. The doctors diagnosed me with colitis and sent me home, assuring me it would resolve on its own. However, a few days later, I returned with ongoing digestive problems. My stools were frequently laden with mucus. Sometimes, I would only pass mucus, while other instances resulted in a mix of diarrhea and constipation coupled with varied stool colors and peculiar textures. My stomach felt excessively gassy, bloated, and consistently uncomfortable, and the pain in my lower abdomen and back was ever-present. They conducted a stool test that didn’t reveal any hidden blood, but my calprotectin level was 126, indicating inflammation—the typical range is below 50. The doctor mentioned it was likely nothing serious, as individuals suffering from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis often see levels around 3000. Additionally, I’ve lost about 4 to 5 kilograms over these two months, especially in the first month, and my fatigue has intensified. I find it especially tough to sleep as it feels like my heart races even though it’s not beating particularly fast. As for my bowel issues, throughout July, each day brought the same relentless back pain, often severe enough to radiate from my glutes down to my leg, and it’s frequently accompanied by pressure and discomfort in my lower back along with significant bloating. I can't shake the worry that I might have colon cancer; the signs seem to align, and the frightening TikToks I watched about others who were diagnosed only heightened my fear. Despite feeling like my concerns are being dismissed, I do have an abdominal and pelvic MRI scheduled soon; I'm hopeful for a clear result, but I worry that if it comes back normal, relief may remain elusive. I'm also trying to attribute some of my symptoms to anxiety, but I don't find myself anxious anymore. I’ve somewhat accepted where I am health-wise. Those close to me have suggested my fixation on my symptoms and fear of colon cancer might be causing me more pain and discomfort, yet I sincerely doubt that after experiencing these issues for two months. Has anyone else encountered similar symptoms? I would greatly appreciate some advice or support!