I am 5 weeks post op from my repair surgery today & 7 1/2 weeks from my decompression. I have been back at work for a week now. Last week really kicked my butt. I was pretty exhausted. This week my stamina is much better but man my neck is killing me by the end of the day. It feels like it is barely able to hold my head up by the time I head home. I sit at a computer all day & do nothing strenuous. Just wondering how long that will last. I know it takes time to heal but I am a bit impatient here.
I'm nine weeks out and still have neck issues...It spasms, pops, is stiff and sore still. I did find out on my 2 month followup, that when they went to drain a syrnix in my c-spine they removed some ligaments, so I had lots done to my neck...and I might always feel it.! :(
Many years ago a physical therapist showed me a massage that has helped me and other people that that I have showed it to. She told me that after a whiplash injury or when people have problems with their necks everyone concentrates on the back of the neck alone. She said that our life style now adays where we are looking down at computers and now cell phones lends itself to the muscles in the back of the neck being over stretched and the muscles of the front of the neck shortened. This also starts to round our shoulders and make the muscles of the chest sore also. I know that you just had surgery and the muscles in the back of your neck are healing and weak which also makes this something that could take some pressure off of them. First of all it's an uncomfortable massage to do but it helps. ....
There's one big muscle on either side of neck it's called sternocleidomastoid muscle. It connects behind the ear and then at the sternum. The first thing you can do is massage the connection points. You do this by rubbing them horozontally with your finger. This loosens up the point of connection a little bit before you massage the muscle. It will probably be pretty sore. The next thing you do is turn your head a little so it makes the muscle a little slack. Then you take your thumb and pointer finger and grab the muscle and roll it bettween your fingers for the length of the muscle. It will be pretty uncomfortable and it needs to be done several times a day for a few days. It will loosen up the muscle and help take some pressure off the back of your neck and hopefully help it feel better.
The second step should you choose to do it is to do the same thing on either side of the center of your throat. I don't know the name of the muscles but they are smaller and connect under the chin and then under the clavical. You do the same thing thing. Tip your head down a little and grab the muscles between the thumb and pointer finger and roll it down the entire length of muscle. You can also rub the connection points at the chin and clavical. This one is REALLY uncomfortable because it will make you choke a little while you do it. The muscles may hurt a little afterwards so take it slow. You do have to do it though several times over several days to loosen the muscles.
This may help take some off the strain off of your healing neck muscles. I hope it works if you decide to try it. My husband is an IT guy and he has to do it several times a month or he starts to get headaches. It won't take away the issues you are having but I hope it helps..
My pain level and my brain has been very bad the last few days. I forgot to say.....If you try this do it gently and slow over the course of a week or so. I wouldn't want to cause you any more hurt in any way. I would feel terrible if it flaired you up or caused you distress even while you are doing it. That connecting point for that big muscle behind my ear can get very sore on it's own. I wouldn't want it to get sore on you. I am sorry I didn't mention that earlier. I'm in so much pain I'm not thinking straight.
Anything Arnica is incredible! If you get results from the cream you should try the remedy sometime. It's inexpensive and works like a miracle. I've been in terrible pain for days. I've had an excruciating headache every day. This morning I woke up in agony. All my muscles are flaired up in my face and neck. I've been taking Arnica all morning and I can feel it getting better. It's great for healing too.
Wendy
Emmaline said:
I meant to mention Becki, I used Arnica cream on my neck everyday. It's a homeopathic pain cream or gel that relieves swelling and pain while everything is knitting back together.
It also does not interfere with any meds you may be taking.
I did somersaults in the pool & dove in twice this summer ( I already knew that was a no no) and they about killed me. I couldn't resist. I miss swimming & diving so much......Who wants to just float around in a float, when you have always been a competitive swimmer & diver? I did teach a 6 year old who was already comfortable in the water how to swim. That was great. Yes I am feeling sorry for myself.......Chiari has taken so much from me. That I will never get back. I will never be the same person. I try to appreciate what I still can do.....but every now & then it's very hard to be positive.
Beeba said:
Headstrong? Impatient? You? Noooooooo!!! This is one of the longest lasting issues. Pt helped me hugely. I have stopped this summer because I was just sick of appointments - even good ones. The angle looking at a computer is not great but it is more the keeping it in one position that might be doing it. Are you doing any type of static stretches? It helps a lot but just make sure you are moving. I told my husband I wanted to play golf but was scared I would be hurting. He suggested doing 9. Afraid it will be just the one swing of the club and it will really hurt. I still feel the two cartwheels from over a month ago - that was so damn stupid!!
Maybe we can have a Natural Remedies page. I will talk to the powers that be & see what they think. I would try anything for neck pain & am doing the static exercises....Thanks whoever explained that. My short term memory isn't what it used to be.
Tracy Z.
Emmaline said:
I meant to mention Becki, I used Arnica cream on my neck everyday. It's a homeopathic pain cream or gel that relieves swelling and pain while everything is knitting back together.
It also does not interfere with any meds you may be taking.
I feel much better thank you. I had to sleep a little because I haven't slept for a few days because I've been in so much pain. I just took the Arnica on the hour for about 6-7 hours. My muscles and nerves have calmed down and it's the first time in days that I can think straight. I'm going to go to see my PT that I haven't seen in awhile tomorrow. She does Zero Balancing and Crano Sacrel and I'm hoping she can put my head back on straight. That's so awesome you knew about Arnica. We have a MD Homeopathic Pediatrician for our kids and he recommends Arnica before and after any type of surgery. It cuts down on bleeding and swelling during and after. It just spurs your own bodies healing process to kick in. It's completely safe.....and inexpensive. Thank you for all the encouragement and kind words. You are a very special person and I really appreciate you. You are a ray of sunshine.
Wendy
Emmaline said:
Yay! I think so too! I used it from day one home from the hospital! There is a plastic surgeon here that prescribes the pills for swelling and pain after his surgeries.
I'm glad it works for you, but sorry to hear that your in so much pain...hugs!
wendyanne said:
Emmaline,
Anything Arnica is incredible! If you get results from the cream you should try the remedy sometime. It's inexpensive and works like a miracle. I've been in terrible pain for days. I've had an excruciating headache every day. This morning I woke up in agony. All my muscles are flaired up in my face and neck. I've been taking Arnica all morning and I can feel it getting better. It's great for healing too.
Wendy
Emmaline said:
I meant to mention Becki, I used Arnica cream on my neck everyday. It's a homeopathic pain cream or gel that relieves swelling and pain while everything is knitting back together.
It also does not interfere with any meds you may be taking.