What could be the cause of a swollen lymph node in the neck?

Question

Hello doctor,

I went to the chiropractor and got my neck adjusted. I had soreness on my neck more in the back left corner then the pain passed down to my left arm. After checking, they said it was a flare-up and to ice it. The next day I had it adjusted again, and he pointed out that I had a swollen lymph node on the left side. I still have soreness in the same spot and was worried about my artery and my lymph node. Could my lymph node be painful because they adjusted my neck or because my muscle was sore and irritated?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I do not think that because of a chiropractor, there will be any trouble with the lymph node. If the pain is radiating in nature, then it can be related to intervertebral disc injury which can be a past injury and due to which you had a sore neck. As the intervertebral discs are located in between the two vertebral bodies and the muscles are the supporting structures any trouble with the disc can first make the muscle sore and change the normal curvature of the cervical spine. The radiating symptoms can arise due to nerve root entrapment by the muscle as well as the intervertebral disc.

Having an MRI scan of the cervical spine will be useful to avoid further injuries. Also, doing hot water fermentation will help to reduce the muscle spasm of the cervical spine region and the trapezius muscle by which the normal alignment of the cervical spine is achieved. Using a cervical soft collar will help to reduce the mobility of the cervical spine leading to stabilization of the joints and less nerve root entrapment. Exercises like static neck exercises, shoulder stabilization exercises, and interscapular muscle strengthening exercises will help to regain muscle strength and correct cervical spine alignment. If you have any more questions, you can ask me anytime.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.