Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, Richmond Hill Liberal, Copyright August 22, 1990

Dear Dr. Horowitz:

            I don’t want to be a pain in the neck, but I have a pain in my neck. Actually, it’s a pain my shoulder too.

This is my story. I work at a computer all day long, with a  “mouse” which I always use in my right hand. After a full day the top of my shoulder and side of my neck is sore.

I also write with my right hand and often hold the telephone receiver with my head over my left shoulder so I can write. (I know this is probably bad for my neck, but when I’m busy I just do it.)

I can’t even give my poor shoulder and arm a rest on the weekends because I have a baby I feed every day with my right hand – that makes my shoulder and neck sore too. (And please don’t suggest I try feeding the baby with my left hand – it’s messy enough as it is!)

I’ve tried stretching exercises and rotating my shoulder, but it only eases the discomfort for a minute. As soon as I go back to my computer or my baby, the pain comes back. Any suggestions?

M.R.

            Richmond Hill

 

ANSWER:

After carefully analyzing your symptoms and the details of your letter I have deduced that your discomfort is coming form the fact that you sit at a computer all day long and write with your right hand and talk with the telephone in a poor position and feed your baby with your sore arm. I sure am a smart diagnostician.

It is difficult cases like this one upon which I thrive. Let us look individually at the facts of this case.

You have a pain in your neck and shoulder. It is aggravated by your work activities. This tells us that your pain is likely caused by an inherent neck disorder which is causing problems in the neck and corresponding difficulties down into the shoulder, or it may be caused by a muscular strain of the muscles which connect the neck and “shoulder.”

(There might be other reasons for your pain, but we will examine the two most likely candidates. You should of course consult your own doctor or chiropractor if the pain continues.)

DISC PROBLEM

You could have a degenerated disc or a joint between two vertebrae which is not functioning properly. You may have a congenital (inborn) deformity of your neck or upper back (two vertebrae fused together, an extra rib in your neck, etc.) which may be the culprit.

The “holes” where the nerves exit from the spinal column may be narrowed which may be putting some pressure on your nerves. These, as well as many other reasons, could be why you have neck and shoulder pain.

The second main reason, and from your list of symptoms this is more plausible, is due to muscular strain of the upper back and neck muscles.

These muscles are postural muscles which means that they must stay in a contracted, or working position, for extended periods of time throughout the day.

These muscles can become fatigued and will therefore not be able to withstand the stresses placed upon them. This muscular strain will be more evident in the evening after work and at bedtime.

My (sarcastic) suggestions are as follows: Don’t work at a computer all day long. Don’t always use the mouse in your right hand. Don’t always hold the telephone with your neck and shoulder. Don’t always feed the baby with your right hand.

Okay, okay. I know you are getting angry with these answers and I certainly don’t want you phoning my office, so here are some “concrete” suggestions.

Call your boss and tell him/her that you no longer plan to work all day long. Two to three hours a day is more than sufficient and I would suggest no more than a three-to four-day  work week.

“BECOME A LEFTY”

Do not write with your right hand any longer. Become a “lefty.” It’s easier than you might think and it may also add something to your creativity.

Buy a speaker phone so you no longer have to hold the receiver (I just hope you don’t work in an “escort service” or something similar where your privacy is needed).

I think your baby is spoiled. I don’t think he/she should expect to be fed every day.

I also think you should be expected to hold the bottle. Teach the kid some responsibility!

Finally, you mention that exercising does ease the discomfort for a minute. If you were to be a bit more energetic and try putting in 1,440 minutes of exercise every day you would be free from pain.

If you try all of these suggestions and you still have discomfort, then please write to me again so I may offer some more gems for you to act on.