Inquiry About Childhood Chiropractic Experience
Hello Reddit! I’m reaching out to seek insights regarding an experience from my adolescent years, roughly between the ages of 12 and 14. I’m currently 25 years old (female). To give you a bit of context, I encountered a troubling incident while bending down to access my locker; suddenly, my neck locked in a position to the side, rendering it completely immobile. The pain was unbearable. In response, my father thought it best to take me to a chiropractor, which seemed to provide some relief, yet I continued to endure significant pain and noticed an unusual odor that lingered for nearly a week. Unfortunately, this episode recurred a few months later, and I underwent the same routine; once again, I experienced that odd smell and extreme discomfort. Since those two occurrences, I have faced similar issues on only a couple of occasions, during which I opted for hospital care instead of chiropractic treatment. The medical professionals provided muscle relaxants, which effectively alleviated my pain without any bizarre lingering odor. Since those formative experiences, I have been left with a constant discomfort in my right shoulder, which feels strained frequently, and I find that my head tends to tilt towards one side. What could have caused this neck locking issue during my youth, and could my decision to visit a chiropractor instead of a physician have led to ongoing complications? I'm eager to understand what happened during those situations!
Answers (1)
2/7/2026, 1:30:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've had a challenging experience with your neck pain and chiropractic treatment during your adolescence. The neck locking and associated discomfort you described may stem from a couple of issues, including muscular strain, muscle spasms, or even joint dysfunction in the cervical spine. While chiropractic care can sometimes provide relief through spinal manipulation, it’s important to note that if it didn’t completely resolve your pain, other underlying conditions may have been present.
Explanation of Your Experience:
- The locking of your neck may have been due to muscle spasms or a sprain, commonly caused by sudden movements, poor posture, or even stress.
- The unusual odor you experienced post-treatment isn't typical and could have been related to muscle tension or still possibly residuals from treatments that weren't properly explained to you at the time.
- Ongoing discomfort in your shoulder and head tilting may suggest muscle imbalances or chronic strain from previous injuries that did not heal completely.
Next Steps:
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Focus on Posture: Pay attention to your posture when sitting, standing, or using devices. Incorporate stretches and exercises designed to strengthen your neck and shoulder muscles.
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Gentle Exercises: Engage in gentle range-of-motion exercises for your neck. Try slowly tilting your head side to side and forward and backward to improve flexibility, while being careful not to push into pain.
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Heat and Cold Therapy: Use a heating pad for muscle relaxation and cold compresses to reduce inflammation and discomfort in the affected areas.
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Seek Professional Evaluation: Consider consulting a physical therapist who can assess your neck and shoulder mechanics and help you work on targeted rehabilitation exercises.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your discomfort levels and any new symptoms that arise. This can help you or a healthcare professional identify patterns and triggers.
It's understandable to seek clarity about past health decisions and their impacts. If you have ongoing concerns, it may be beneficial to explore these with a healthcare professional. Remember, it’s always okay to seek the opinion of a qualified professional if you're experiencing discomfort or if you have specific concerns about your health.
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