Question: I have chronic neck pain. In the past few month this pain has gotten significantly worse. In fact, I can physically move "something" in the back, right side of my neck, and every time I move it, it produces a loud sound. I can physically move this part of my neck at anytime. However, I do not believe that something to be a lump. The pain is constant. At times it feels as if broken glass is under my skin. Furthermore, the pain radiates in both directions. Also, I have felt both tingling and numbness in my hands and feet. The feeling is brief, it usually will last for several minutes. However, the tingling and numbness is not constant nor does it occur daily. Instead, the tingling and numbness has just happened more frequently.

Side note: I was a gymnast. I quit gymnastics 3 years ago. My current lifestyle does not account for any long periods of sitting at a desk or long periods of physical activity. I have a strong degree of pain tolerance. For example, I performed gymnastics (acrobatics) for a week on a broke hand (clean fracture) before I actually realized that I had broken my hand. Most online postings I read about neck pain are written by people whom I believe to be hypochondriacs. I understand that neck pain is common and usually harmless. I just want to know what possible diagnosis their could be and if I should see a doctor sooner rather than later.