Kimmy,

I am soooo sorry. I didn't mean to scare the cr@@ out of you at all!

All I am really saying is...there could be more going on than what you realize. If you do see a spine specialist, and he or she says there is nothing there or that you MRI looks good, THEN I wouldn't hesitate in trying other things. But let them tell you that. I just hate to see anyone try all kinds of conservative measures on THEIR OWN without really knowing what may or may not be going on. Anyway, I tried everything you can think of besides what I already posted. Traction was one of them and I think it made me worse. Well, I KNOW it did. The thing is and as Bobbi pointed out, IF there is radiculopathy (nerve impingement), etc., you NEED to KNOW that.

And one last thing. I went into PT last summer because my NS thought my shoulder muscles were weak from the last fusion. He was probably right but there was a lot more going on than just that. Anyway, the PT gal, and she was VERY YOUNG, had me doing all kinds of stretches that just tore me up. I ended up at my PM's office and he about had a heart attack. He told me...do not let any PT pull or tug at you like that ever again. I had bursitis and also weak muscles. So, he gave me a shoulder injection which helped a great deal and THEN I was able to do some EASY stretches to get my strength back.

Sooo...I have learned some lessons the hard way. Now I see my PM FIRST before I do anything!

I wish you luck because I know this is difficult to sort out. And there is nothing wrong with trying to correct your posture. Just don't go overboard. Again, let a specialist, preferably a spine doc, take a look see and then proceed.