My neck and shoulder pain began two months ago when I rested my neck on hard metal chairs at the airport for several hours.  That pain lasted two weeks. Just five days ago, I was in the pool working out with weights, and I probably overdid it. This more recent pain starts during the day between 11 and 2, and it continues toward the evening.

What have I done for the pain? I sat in the recliner and lay in bed. That pretty much takes away the pain – after a little while. I didn't know what else to do. Tylenol wasn't working. Day before yesterday I emailed my family doctor. I reminded him about my condition. What I could do for the pain – exercise? Physical therapy?

The doctor emailed me and recommended I buy an inversion table. I called the nearest Big Five store and was told one was left, on sale for $99. I assembled it as soon as I got home, and 2 1/2 hours later, I was “inverted” at 22° for almost three minutes. I imagined that my cervical vertebrae were being separated – which is kind of impossible as they have degenerated. However, from what I've read, inversion still can help the nerves that are being pinched. Yesterday I went on the inversion table three times, two or three minutes each time. While I was sitting pain-free on the recliner at 2:20, I decided I had to take a five-minute drive to the mailbox to test my theory that I have pain when driving. Yep – pain again!

Today, the fifth day since the pain began, I vow to rest, and to do the posture and stretching exercises that I saw on YouTube on my iPhone last night. Here are some of those exercises, which I will do on-the-hour today.

• Stand Tall and Sit Tall (posture without my head moving forward)
• Chin In – Turn Head – Look Up – Stretch (for 30 seconds)
• Double Chin (hold chin in) and Tennis in the Sky (look up and side to side)
• Ear to Shoulder with Chin Retraction
• Turn Head to Right and Left (pushing gently on each cheek to stretch)

It’s amazing! I now know why my poor posture, namely forward head position, causes pain. Hopefully, no more pain-related essays. Please, God.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com