Please help, back and neck pain

[Brighteyedtriangle]

I wake up stiff as a board every morning and then spend 9 hours sat at a desk in agony too. When you think it cant get any worse, it does. My neck in paticular is in bits.

Ive seen them all but currently with an oesteopath and get deep tissue massage too. Which helps on the day and then i go to bed and ground hog day again.

Im sending my emma mattress back and need a new one. I spent 80 on pillows that i now want to replace for something else.

Im on my 2nd office chair that looks the business with support but is so uncomfy. Would a gaming chair be better?

I have read loads of threads on recommendations but still please give me some.

Mattress, pillows and office chair.

Mattress budget - 500
Office chair budget - 150
Pillows - 50ish i only need one as i already have so many anyway

Have you tried changing your sleeping position? I've had problems with my neck (right hand side) since I was 16, found that swapping the side I slept on really helped.
Also a TENS machine is very useful during the day for pain relief. It's the only way I can manage to sit at a desk.
Have you discussed with your GP, to rule out anything mechanical going on?
I don't have any recommendations on mattresses etc except to say don't bother with an octosmart topper, don't like the one we have at all.

How often during the day do you take a short walk and do upper body exercises ?

Feather pillow for a poor neck - they mould better to you.
Firm mattress
Physio who will give you some tailored pilates based exercises to do before you even get up.
Regular stretches and breaks from sitting at your desk
Specialist DSE risk based assessment (adjustable chair, sit/stand desk, is the monitor at the right height; is the keyboard properly placed, would a specialist keyboard help)
Similarly, is everything optimally placed in the car.

Medical
Anti- inflammatories
Referral to a spine specialist to identify any structural issues (MRI and XRays)
I'd like to say NHS physio but the waits are ludicrous.

Personally op I wouldn’t let an osteopath or chiropractor anywhere near my spine without identifying any potential structural issues so they can be sure what they are dealing with.

Ive been trying for a few weeks to change sleeping position. Pillow between knees, under legs, back sleeping. Im a natural side sleeper. Everything just seems to make it worse.

Im trying to do stretches in the morning and then when the pain is bad at my desk, repeat.
I walk with the dog and like the gym but when im in pain it links with having zero energy and motivation and its really having a knock on effect with everything.
Other than this I would say im healthy, generally fit, normal weight etc...

I'd get some further investigation with the GP- MRI and x-ray and a full blood test done. Get your rheumatoid factor checked and inflammation markers. Maybe some stronger anti-inflammatory medication like Naproxen.
It could be structural ie disc bulge/collapse, scoliosis, or it could be something like fibromyalgia/arthritis.
Work on strengthening your core- Pilates/yoga.
Does anything help? Heat? Ice? Sympathy OP

I have a dual screen which are raised at I believe the right height. My work space is set up as it should be. Although it wasnt for the first year in covid as i was working from my kitchen table which I think bar an accident over 10 years ago has exellerated previous issues.

Im hardly in my car really but do experience issues on long journeys, always have.

I had xrays several years ago by a chiroprator who said nothing wrong with spine. I think my neck/shoulder pain is muscular based and the lower back pain is either side of spine.

How do you convinced the doctors to give further treatment. Ive been before and they just fob me off with cocodamol.

Close to crying this morning.

You need to be standing up and doing stretching for 5 mins every hour and before anything starts to hurt

I’ve had neck pain for many years and in the morning when I woke up I couldn’t move. I bought a pillow of Amazon for £20 and it really helped me
It a shaped pillow for neck and shoulder problems rather than a normal shaped pillow.

I would say you need to do yoga style stretches much more often, several times a day. Can you see a physio to give you some and check your form?

If the deep tissue massage is helping I would get a home massager you can use at home, this was a game changer for me being able to work on the tight sore muscles daily or sometimes twice daily. I now use it a couple of times a week for maintenance.

“How do you convinced the doctors to give further treatment. Ive been before and they just fob me off with cocodamol.”

you keep going back

Yes heat helps. Laying in a bath or with a hot water bottle. Just nothing fixing it, if anything its getting worse.
Im going to book another appointment with the drs and change my mattress in the meantime.

Thanks everyone.

Mobilisation is key - set an alarm and move every hour - it's the only thing that will keep on top of what's going on. Go back to the doctor - if it's been more than three months they should be onward referring you (I've had back surgery and I manage a back issue, long-term)

If you think your pain is Chronic I'd recommend the curable app

Ask firmly (demand) to be referred. I struggled for almost 20 years with pain, I went private and was diagnosed within 2 months, with Fibromyalgia.
My GP had fobbed me off, told me to lose weight - I did - didn't help.
Told me to quit smoking - I did - didn't help.
Told me to join the gym - I did - made it worse.

As a side sleeper, a firm mattress makes it much worse because it puts too much pressure on my joints. I need something softer so my hip bone sinks in.
Best thing I bought was a 2 inch thick mattress topper.

The fibrogyagia is interesting. As i do get low energy all time time and sometimes just get on the sofa and fall asleep as i have zero energy.
I dont fit the whole bill though.
I never get headaches
I dont have trouble sleeping at night i just feel like ive been hit by a train when i wake up
I do have a shit memory but always have
I do have ibs
A few years ago i wake waking up with tingling/painful hands and feet and was getting pins and needles in my legs at night. I got checked for arthritis but it came back clear it went away after several months and hasnt come back. I have scalp psorasis though I think but not severe.
Years and years ago, im 36 now i suffered with raynauds in my fingers and toes - it hasnt come back again in about 7 years and then yesterday it came back with a vengence in both hands when i was walking the dog. It wasnt even cold which is when it used to trigger it.

Yes I think this too my hips always hurt on a firm mattress but I know i need support.
I need to sort a new one this weekend as Emma want to pick mine up next week.

Have you been checked for b12 deficiency and thyroid problems? Some of your symptoms could be triggered by those.

Can you pay for a specialist referral/MRI op. Might be a better way to soend your budget in the first instance.

If I am in an acute phase I find cura heat wraps helpful

See a Chiropractor, I've had years of back and neck pain, finally went and after 2 sessions I'm pain free, I now go once a month. £35 a session but worth every penny

You need a good physiotherapist. Someone who will diagnose the underlying problem not just treat the symptoms. I found one by lucky accident (she was doing a maternity cover).

I have private medical and Ive put a claim in but thinking this with be on my medical records may be classed as existing.
I have booked a test kit today through them to get thyroid and vit levels checked as I havent ever had that done before.
If not, it will be down to nhs waiting lists

I have scoliosis op which gives me painful neck, shoulder and hip along the right side, not quite as bad as yours though I manage just fine most days. Some things that help me:

yoga
core strengthening exercises
massage gun (heaven!)
massage ball
not sitting for too long (standing desks can help)
rotating ice and heat packs
accupuncture

Gaming chairs are great mine is a cheap argos one but a billion times bettet than any office chair I have had.