neck problems

November 7, 2003

I cant give you any advice on the cracking noise, but wanted to comment on the

heat. We had been using heat on dhs back and were told by 2 docs and a chiro

that it was a big no no. Heat increases inflamation and thus pain. Cool or

ice packs reduce inflamation. We were told to put ice packs on his back for 10

minutes, leave them off for 30 minutes, put them on for 10 mins, off for 30 and

so on.... Something about cooling the muscles and then letting them return to

normal temp then cooling them again helps reduce inflamation and pain by

stimulating something in the body (?!) Anyways, just thought id throw that in

thre, it may help you find a little more relief

~~TinaMarie

www.GoldenMagnolias.com

Neck problems

My neck was injured in a car accident a couple of years ago. Three of

the cervical discs are bulging with some stenosis. I am not

considering surgery and have been treating the pain with aspirin and

heat. It's not as bad as it used to be. My question is the noise. I

crack my neck several times a day and it always creaks now. I really

hate that. Am I stuck with a creaking cracking neck forever?

Eileen in WI

November 7, 2003

I have been told the opposite and partial agreement. Using ice and heat therapy

daily. Alternating. Isn't it a wonderous world with all the opinions of the

docs ...UGH. Wish they all had the cure and same schooling! I do find the

heat does help though, I have one of those bean wraps that you nuke. Sure

relaxs me. I think that might be part of it as well...seeing as we tense with

pain.

wendy

Neck problems

My neck was injured in a car accident a couple of years ago. Three of

the cervical discs are bulging with some stenosis. I am not

considering surgery and have been treating the pain with aspirin and

heat. It's not as bad as it used to be. My question is the noise. I

crack my neck several times a day and it always creaks now. I really

hate that. Am I stuck with a creaking cracking neck forever?

Eileen in WI

June 4, 2004

I'm sorry to hear about your pain, Carole. I too have been having an unusual

amount of pain in my neck the past few days, also affecting my left shoulder,

right on top (trapezius). I'm hoping mine is just the usual muscular stuff. My

meds do help, but swimming, which usually seems to loosen me up, seems to be

aggravating it a bit.

I hope yours isn't serious, and clears up soon.

Sharon

Neck Problems

Hi Feisties,

This past week I've been in just horrible pain which started in my

left shoulder. Tried ice, heat, pills, no pills, everything I could

think of and finally ended up at the doctor's office. He suspects a

disk problem around C6 or so. My fusion is T6 to L5. Do you think

that this problem is one of those " above the fusion " ones, or would

it be more likely to be my spondylosis? I know, you are not

doctors. I'm asking for your experience. On June 12 I am scheduled

for a cervical MRI. Just eager to learn more.

Carole M. (the elder)

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

January 5, 2007

Lance: I did not have severe neck pain early on in the course of the disease

but I have had it for about the last year or so. The rheumy added an

antiinflammatory to my " cocktail " and it has lessened the pain. Gentle

stretching during the day helps too. Posture is definitely key though. I

cannot sit in a puffy overstuffed chair anymore, that position is a killer, a

good stiff chair is best for me. Well hope this helps. Kathy from WI

Neck Problems

I had posted earlier about my neck becoming very painful and stiff with

this(my second bout) with Reiter's. It never bothered me before. A

few of you also reported that you had neck pain as well. Then, my

cousin, who is a physical therapist, noticed the way I was carrying

myself when I walked over the holidays. He claimed that I was pushing

my head way out in front of my shoulders in an effort to keep from

hurting myself. Since then, I have paid very close attention to this

when I walk. And, my neck pain has subsided. I still have a little

stiffness, but nothing like I had before. It makes sense. When I

complained about my neck to my Rheumy, he had said that he didn't think

it was the Reiter's that was doing it.

Also, does anyone have a good method to relieve the pain of bursitis?

I have it in my right shoulder(according to my Rheumy). It is now

worse than any pain I have in my feet and ankles from the Reiter's. I

guess when it rains it pours. Starting with two herniated discs in

September; another full blown bout with Reiter's starting in October;

and now Bursitis. I am glad I am not a horse!!

Lance

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January 5, 2007

Great news about the neck. I was told posture is everything, and all

the time.

I agree with Kathleen, we must always check our posture to stop any

more issues. I feel much better now that I am not slouching while

typing or watching tv. Even being in the recliner too long can cause

curviture of your spine.

As for the Bursitis, I take anti-inflamatories for my swelling and

aches. I also have Fibro and Costochondritis.

Best of luck, and hoping for a short flare.

Kay

July 1, 2007

I know it has been a while since your initial note. I am just getting caught up

with mail. Welcome to the group! Have you seen a doctor about your neck problem,

other than the ER doc? And how much work did you have done with your cervical

laminectomy? I know this must be very scary- I can't imagine that weird feeling!

This back/neck stuff is often so so so hard to get a diagnosis.You say this

happened last year- has it gotten any better with time? And does you PT have any

ideas about what could be going on? Sorry for the gazillion questions. Again-

welcome to the group. Bea

macizbac <macizbac@...> wrote: This is my first time to your

group. I had scoliosis surgery about 28

years ago. (harrington rods) My curve was 67 degrees. I also had a

cervical laminectomy about 6 or 7 years ago. Last year while I was

working, I was on a ladder looking up towards the ceiling at something

for a customer. When I tried to lower my head it was difficult to

lower and felt VERY strange. I went to the ER but they didn't find

anything. Since then I've had problems. There are times when my head

feels like it's separating and re-connecting to my spine!! I know this

is impossible, but that's what it feels like. Sometimes it cracks,

sometimes it just feels like 2 puzzle pieces sliding back in place.

It's very scary and I'm wondering if anyone else has had these kinds of

problems. After this first occurred, I was on a different website and

people had left messages saying that you shouldn't ever look too far up

or too far down after having scoliosis surgery. I wish I'd read that

before it happened to me!!! I have other back pains and right now I'm

in physical therapy for a rotator cuff injury, but overall I can get

around. Thanks for listening!

July 2, 2007

Hi Bea,

My physical therapist seemed concerned about my neck and said that it is

" unstable " . My family doctor didn't seem too concerned about it.....said

everybody's neck pops at different times. But she didn't have an explanation

for the strange feelings. I am seeing an orthopedic doctor on the 5th and

hopefully he will be able to shed some light on things for me. He studied under

the SON of the man who did my surgery in Chicago in 1979. Boy! Do I feel old.

If I find out anything of interest I will post it! Thanks for asking. Patty

---------------------------------

Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news,

photos & more.

July 2, 2007

Hi Patty,

It can be so frustrating going from one doctor to the next for answers. Good

luck with the ortho. Let us know how it goes.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

Bea

Patty MacIntyre <macizbac@...> wrote:

Hi Bea,

My physical therapist seemed concerned about my neck and said that it is

" unstable " . My family doctor didn't seem too concerned about it.....said

everybody's neck pops at different times. But she didn't have an explanation for

the strange feelings. I am seeing an orthopedic doctor on the 5th and hopefully

he will be able to shed some light on things for me. He studied under the SON of

the man who did my surgery in Chicago in 1979. Boy! Do I feel old. If I find out

anything of interest I will post it! Thanks for asking. Patty

---------------------------------

Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news,

photos & more.

January 3, 2008

>

> I have just been reading " Back to Health " by Remington and Swasey.

> It says that people with candida often have problems with the neck.

> Does anyone know why that is and what is the mechanism?

> Thanks,

> Miriam

==>Didn't they explain why?

Bee

January 3, 2008

No, no explanation. It was just listed along with various other

health problems. However, it interests me because I and a lot of my

friends with CFS/ME have problems with neck/shoulders/head.

Miriam

> >

> > I have just been reading " Back to Health " by Remington and

Swasey. It says that people with candida often have problems with

the neck. Does anyone know why that is and what is the mechanism?

> > Thanks,

> > Miriam

>

> ==>Didn't they explain why?

>

> Bee

>

January 3, 2008

>

> No, no explanation. It was just listed along with various other

> health problems. However, it interests me because I and a lot of my

> friends with CFS/ME have problems with neck/shoulders/head.

>

> Miriam

==>What kind of neck/shoulder/head problems?

Bee

>

January 4, 2008

Well I can't speak for everyone else, but in my case I have stiffness

and pain in the neck and shoulders. I think my posture is poor,

perhaps as a result of muscle weakness. I am trying Pilates lessons

at the moment, but when I pull up the pelvic floor muscles I get pain

in my neck, so I can't exercise very much. The Pilates teacher says

those muscles are connected, but she is surprised that I feel the

link right up into the skull so strongly.

There is a special osteopathic therapy for people with ME/CFS called

the Perrin Technique:

http://www.forme-cfs.co.uk/osteopathy & me/osteopathy.html

I haven't yet tried it. Like most of these therapies, it is

expensive, so I am still thinking it over!

Miriam

January 4, 2008

Hi Miriam,

I know that we just discussed rotation diets and the fact that they are not

necessary. As Bee says, any reactions to healthy foods are healing

reactions, not allergic reactions, and it does not makes sense to completely

cut out a food OR only eat it every 4 days. However, I do find them helpful

in finding what you are having a reaction to. I used to be on a 4 day

rotation before I found this group and I hated it. Now I sometimes leave out

one food that I suspect might be causing problems to see if it makes a

difference. The reason I am saying this is that many things give me a

headache, backache (upper and lower), and calf pain. Along with that my

entire body is very stiff and it's hard to do exercise. Last week I cut out

coconut oil and my pain and stiffness went away and I was able to do yoga

and other exercises which were uncomfortable and " undoable " before.

Just thought I would share that. Like I said, I am not saying we need to be

on a rotation diet, but it can be helpful to eliminate something for one or

two days to see if it could be causing a healing reaction and if so, cut

back on the amount and then start increasing slowly. Beginning of December I

was up to 5 or 6 tablespoons a day of VCO. Now I can't even tolerate a

teaspoon.

a

>Well I can't speak for everyone else, but in my case I have stiffness

>and pain in the neck and shoulders. I think my posture is poor,

>perhaps as a result of muscle weakness. I am trying Pilates lessons

>at the moment, but when I pull up the pelvic floor muscles I get pain

>in my neck, so I can't exercise very much. The Pilates teacher says

>those muscles are connected, but she is surprised that I feel the

>link right up into the skull so strongly.

Miriam

January 4, 2008

>

> Well I can't speak for everyone else, but in my case I have stiffness

and pain in the neck and shoulders. I think my posture is poor,

perhaps as a result of muscle weakness.

==>Miriam, thank you for explaining what kind of symptoms you are

having. What you describe is common for some candida sufferers because

of the toxins. Candida toxins migrate to different areas of the body,

which can move around and change too. The reason it causes stiffness

and pain is because the toxins make all of the body's cells go

rigid/stiff, and they congest in muscles, joints, etc. Also rigid

cells aren't as able to get nutrients and water they need to be healthy.

In addition people who have been on a low-fat or bad-fat diet will have

cell membranes that weak because they are not constructed as nature

intended. All cell membranes need to be made out of 50% saturated fat

(lung cells require 100%) in order for them to function properly. This

means that the cells aren't as able to get rid of their own wastes as

well.

That is why it is important to do the complete program, concentrating

on building up your immune system so it becomes strong enough to " make "

candida change back into the friendly organism it is supposed to be.

In the meantime to help ease your symptoms take hot Epsom Salt baths,

and emerge in it up to your chin soaking for at least 15 minutes. Rub

1/2 coconut oil and 1/2 oregano oil into the affected areas, and

afterward apply a wet heat pack (do not use a heating pad). Oregano

oil is as good of a pain killer as morphine but with no side effects.

You can also take White Willow Bark for the pain (take according to the

label). Also do what you can to help your body detoxify:

http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/detox.php

The best to you, Bee

March 20, 2008

I saw the chiropractor yesterday who took x-rays above the Harrington rod fusion and immediately developed them and went over them with me. What I already knew - the severe DDD has gotten worse. I contacted Dr. Hey and his PA, Jaclyn, and I have included her response to me based on the x-rays they have taken there. I am going to proceed with physical therapy and posture work. I will also take time each night to get in my cervical traction unit that was purchased several years ago. I have already contacted Mark (my cute and single PT) and he said he was expected me to come back with problems above the fusion due to my new posture in the lumbar area. :-)

Peggy

Ms. Greene,

I did go back and look at your xrays from when you were here in November. You do have degenerative changes in your neck and upper thoracic spine. Those are most significant at C5-6 and C6-7. Although I also see some at C7-T1 and T1-2. It is harder to see these because your arms are raised and blocking the full few.

I would stick more with therapy/ chiropractor type treatment for the pain.

If you experiencing pain radiating down your arms then I agree that an MRI might be necessary.

However, injections into the neck area are very risky because of the spinal cord and we often do not recommend them.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend them if just for the degeneration.

Cervical traction can be very helpful and it doesn’t fix the degeneration but can help the pain.

Over time the body can heal across those degenerative levels.

You actually already have a lot of bone spurs (osteophytes forming) and that is proof the body is trying to heal it.

It manual traction through chirproctor and/ or therapist plus home traction helps the pain then it doesn’t really matter what the xrays look like.

Now if you are having progressive arm pain, numbness/ tingling or trouble with fine motor skills and that doesn’t improve with the conservative things then an MRI would definitely be needed.

Hope this helps some.

Jaclyn

March 20, 2008

Dear Peggy,

Prior to your revision, was there any talk of tackling this issue either during your revision, or afterwards? My second one I had levels fused above my T5 harrington rod fusion mass to T1, and am so glad they did as I really didn't want them to go back yet again some years later and need to fuse upwards then. I'm crossing my fingers that therapy does the trick, sucks to hurt after just going through the revision last May. Would be interesting to hear about what they do and what exercises they give you, as I'm fused very high and worry about those discs in my neck wearing out. Let us know how it goes, and good luck!

[ ] neck problems