Neck problems, not sure if this goes here

ghunt

Hi. I posted this question in the back problems forum but they said I might also post here.

I'm not 100% sure but I think I have a pinched nerve in my neck.

I have pain & limited range of motion when turning my head to the left, and pain when tilting my head to the left side. Also feel a general tightness when tilting the head forward or back. It's more of an annoying pain than anything that really seems serious.

This did not result from an injury or me doing anything in particular...I woke up one morning and my neck was aching and it's been that way since, and it's driving me nuts. I had been sleeping on two pillows, sleeping on just one has made it better (much less pain) but not made it go away. Physical activity makes it loosen up a bit and feel a little better, but only temporarily. It has stuck around for probably close to 2 months now. It was actually feeling alright til the other night, I twisted around to my right to look at something, and when I turned back I had a very sharp pain in the left side of my neck (where I'd been feeling the tightness). The pain had decreased considerably by the next day, but I noticed I still had the limited range of motion to the left which I had not had previously. It has stayed about the same since then.

I don't really know who I should see about this.

My girlfriend has told me I should see a massage therapist about it, and I see that they say they can fix neck pain and such.

But people on the back problems board said no, see a real doctor first. I've also gotten negative answers about seeing a chiropractor.

I don't have a regular doctor and haven't for years. I recently had mono and went to a place in town called "med express." I just have to wonder if a general practitioner would really be able to tell me much about what's going on with my neck.

Thanks for any help!