SEVERE Chronic neck pain, so tired of it....

[MellowMind]

My neck is constantly so stiff. I try to stretch it at least 3 times a day, but that doesn't work. Ice packs help to relieve the pain, but only for a very short period of time. I'm at my wit's end because I can't get this pain to stop.
It's hard to fall asleep at night because of the constant strain on my neck.

Should I look into a chiropractor? I've been debating it, but I've heard mixed reviews on the subject. Would anyone like to chime in?

[billyboy1965]

Should I look into a chiropractor? I've been debating it, but I've heard mixed reviews on the subject. Would anyone like to chime in?

Maybe @Waterfall would address her experience with acupuncture and I'll vouch for reflexology.

[MellowMind]

Thanks @billyboy1965. I also forgot to mention the pain is in my shoulders as well. I know it's tension/anxiety related, but my anxiety is a lot better lately, so I thought that would help get it under control. I've heard very little about reflexolgy, so I will have to research that some more. Acupuncture is also something I'd be interested in trying, I've heard really good things about it.

Thank you for the response!

[4legsgood]

Absolutely..... I never even knew what a chiropractor was or did until 8 years ago a dressage mare I had was getting quite obviously arthritis in her neck. At the time I had a national level trainer who arranged to have my mare treated when hers were... Looked like hocus pocus to me, the science grad farmer. I could see this sweet gifted aging horse purr with relief which seemed to last for a few weeks at least, and the mobility and obvious stiffness seemed cumulative. Since landing a handspring on my own head as a kid gymnast, I had quietly suffered for years... Muscle relaxants hot packs, stretches helped about ziltch Finally I simply thought what have I got to lose, went to a walk in chiro clinic (family doc at time had been dismissive) ..... And it has saved my life. As in even with wonderful other things in my life (family, dumb luck that brought a country girl advantages like decent education, professional respect, material advantage, even physical good looks etc.) I think I would have just killed myself discretely due to the chronic embarrassing pain... Being a migrainer didn't help. My gosh, there are quacks everywhere I guess and some act like freeing spasmed muscles can cure cancer but ask around, get some X-rays done, and this advice might be the best thing you get this year. Good luck, I am sure others will share and I do know some horrible accidents have happened to some but there you go. First adjustment I walked out went into a cafe and dam near fell asleep in my soup. My heart goes out to you, @PanickedMind, Best of luck. 4legs

[MellowMind]

Thank you @4legsgood. I've been dealing with this pain for going on four years now.. This last year has been one of the worst. I think I will follow your advice and see a chiropractor as soon as I can. I could really use some relief. I don't even know what it feels like anymore to not be in pain when I wake up. :/

[msaok]

Thank you @4legsgood. I've been dealing with this pain for going on four years now.. This last year has been one of the worst. I think I will follow your advice and see a chiropractor as soon as I can. I could really use some relief. I don't even know what it feels like anymore to not be in pain when I wake up. :/

I wouldn't.
There's been controversy since at least 2007, and more recently a growing body of evidence that chiropractic manipulations of the cervical spine can cause strokes and dissection of nearby arteries. Have a look.
Chiropractic manipulation of the spine may cause strokes and even death | Edzard Ernst | Science | guardian.co.uk
That article cites this 2011 conclusion of a US neurosurgery study:
Craniocervical arterial dissections as sequelae ... [J Neurosurg. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI
There are physical therapists that specialize in cervical spine rehab. You might be able to get a referral from your primary, though most would probably insist on a neuro work up first before laying a finger on a neck.
If you do settle on the chiropractor route, mention the study and demand low velocity manipulation only ! They will tell you it's bunk.

[MellowMind]

Thank you @msaok. I've been half tempted because others have told me what a relief it brings... but you do bring up a valid argument. I will be researching this further before making any decisions. I might just decide to go the acupuncture route....

Thanks for the info!

[rowanman28]

I got a worn disk in my neck. That's not so bad compared to my shoulder, but I was told there is this operation where they take out the disk and put in a plastic one, or use bone to fuse the vertebrae together. They said it was like fifty fifty as to whether it would make the pain better or worse, but the singer of Pantera had that operation and it was successful.

[Allycat]

Hi @PanickedMind, sorry to hear you are in such pain, that chronic daily pain really wears
you down. Just curious, do you know what the cause of neck pain stems from? The reason I ask is, there are certain conditions that would be absolutely contraindicated with a chiropractor, I was told by my neuro surgeon seeing a chiropractor would be the worst thing I could do. It really depends on what the underlying cause is. I have found acupuncture helpful. Hope you feel better soon.

[MellowMind]

Hi @Allycat. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I haven't been undergoing treatment for it like I should be, because of lack of insurance and funding atm.
I have been out of my anxiety medication for a month now, but will be back on soon. So perhaps that is why my neck has been hurting so much lately. The ativan usually took pretty good care of that, so I know it's also anxiety related. Who knew anxiety disorders could make you physically hurt so damn much?

[Allycat]

@PanickedMind, thats a damn shame you don't have insurance, I can't believe how many people have to suffer needlessly because of this. I agree, I have found anxiety to impact both my physical and emotional state. Do you know if there are any clinics in your area that work on a sliding scale? Good luck and take care.

[rowanman28]

Drugs are a temporary solution, but then life is temporary. I find keeping active in mind and body can help. I don't hurt so much at work. Religion may sound like a cliche, but Buddhism says that by learning how to control the mind, you can make yourself feel better naturally. Deep breathing at least while lying down might help. As for the health system, it's better in Australia. A health care card or Medicare card here will usually get you most medical services free, or free if your poor anyway.

[barkingmad]

I for one have always been distrustful of chiropractors; I mean if a car mechanic said he could fux your car but you had to bring it back every week, would you buy that line?

[crucibelle]

I for one have always been distrustful of chiropractors; I mean if a car mechanic said he could fux your car but you had to bring it back every week, would you buy that line?

I would never let a car mechanic fux my car... that would just be extremely bizarre. Just playing with you, @barkingmad!

[barkingmad]

@crucibelle, I think that's what they call a "Freudian Slip", lol! I think it's so funny I'm not even going to fix it.

[msaok]

Hi @Allycat.
The ativan usually took pretty good care of that, so I know it's also anxiety related.

Panicked Mind, i just wanna mention that ativan could improve your symptoms for a variety of reasons beside its anti-anxiety properties. For example, if your neck muscles are fatigued and/or in spasm it can have a muscle relaxant effect. Or, if your FM is associated with chronic fatigue, there are intermittent hypotensive states that impair circulation and cause something called "coat hanger" pain. In a round about way ativan can help that by lowering adrenaline. Anyways, it can be hard to tease out since functioning in pain day after day is certainly bound to make you anxious. I'd ask your doc if you could try atenolol to see if that helps at all. Alternating that with the ativan might at least slow the tolerance you're likely to develop using ativan alone. And lastly, if your blood pressure runs low, you could try salt tablets with water. You can google this stuff and see if any of it strikes you as relevant.

[DrAm]

I was very glad to see @msaok post the study for chiropractors that they may induce strokes.

I went to a chiropractor about 8 years ago and thought I was pleased with the results. I had a severely strained a muscle in my back and after two months of no improvement, I finally went to the chiropractor. A month later, 6-8 sessions, my back was fine.

After learning the truth about chiropractic, the next time I hurt my back even worse, so I immediately went to an actual doctor and he prescribed flexeril. My back was better in a week.

Since no one seems to have posted the latest science on acupuncture, I suppose I'll point out a study that shows acupuncture is as efficacious as being poked with tooth picks. That is, acupuncture is nothing more than a placebo and will not actually treat your pain symptoms.

I understand this particular study is for lower back pain, but it does bring into question the supposed mechanism for why acupuncture supposedly works, i.e. it doesn't.

The study can be found here.

A professional explanation of the results can be found here.

Both sources stress that the study was for lower back pain, but given the results, I personally wouldn't pay for acupuncture for anything.

[Jeremy Fisher]

@PanickedMind, everyone is different. Patients are different; chiros are different; and conditions are different. So I would not disregard any post that has been made. Everyone needs to do what is right for them. I am sorry you don't have insurance. A cervical MRI would certainly be helpful in obtaining a diagnosis which would allow you to target your treatment better.

Anyway, all that said, my chiro is the main solution I have for my chronic neck pain, upper back, sometimes shoulder pain. However my chiro does not crack my neck. I find that practice barbaric and may be the main issue many have w/chiros. My chiropractor uses an activator on my neck, which is a little hammer type device which pops out and 'knocks' my cervical vertebrae into alignment. She is a true healer and can feel w/her finger what is out of alignment prior to using the activator.

I have trigger points in my neck and shoulders which create muscle spasms which pull my cervical vertebrae out of alignment. That in turn, irritates the tissue and the nerves, causing pain. I also had a cervical fusion as @rowanman28 mentioned above in 1995. So my neck is different than most.

Most chiros should xray you first and if they use an activator on your neck, no harm will be done. I have learned over the years that our vertebrae go in and out of alignment and sometimes they stay out. If we are lucky they will slip back in place of their own, but due to my fusion my neck ones seem to stay stuck.

@PanickedMind, I also see a neuromasseuse every 3 weeks. She helps to keep my upper body muscles sore spots (trigger points) at bay.

I have seen an acupuncturist twice now when I have significant but different pain flare ups that would not go away. First time took 8 visits @ $75 a pop; 2nd took 3 visits. I believe it works, or it would not still be around. Each time I saw a different practitioner. Again the trick is to find someone who is legit.

In regards to PT, well I have done over 8 months twice a week of that at one point to help when I was in bad shape. That PT did some amazing acupressure on me that really helped. I have 3 stretches I can really recommend.

First is shoulders up, around back, down.

Second is stand in open doorway straight up. Put hands flat on door frame and lean it. Do this with you arms high, middle, and low on the door frame.

I also like the in the am flat on your back in bed stretch. Looking at the ceiling, put your chin to your chest and push back on the bed/pillow. This stretches the muscle that connects your head to your upper back.

I had a link about trigger points (sore muscle spots) and fibro, I have found very helpful and I spend ALOT of time researching but now I can't find it. I think I pm'd it to someone. Will be back to edit if I find it. Darn it, can't find it now. I will try again later.

Good luck @PanickedMind. I know how hard it is when is having head/neck pain as it's my main issue for over 20 years or so. Feel free to post back w/any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Water

[MellowMind]

@msaok you do bring up a great point. I've never heard of atenolol but I'll be sure to look into it. Oh, and my blood pressure runs anything but low, it's on the high side for sure... so I've been cutting some of the salt out of my diet.
@Waterfall thank you for a very informative post. I will do the stretches you told me about as well as look up some new methods. At least till I can afford to have a work-up done. You said the first time you saw an acupuncturist it was a total of 8 visits? Was it once a week for 8 weeks? Seems like it could get a little on the pricey side. Also how often do you have to see your chiropractor? If you don't see him for awhile do you notice your pain getting worse? - I know that's probably hard to pin-point. In my case, I might be able to get the money to see a chiropractor, but I don't know if I'd be able to afford every follow-up visit. I'd hate to be in more pain than I was in before I saw the chiropractor in the first place. If that makes sense. Kinda like what @barkingmad brought up.

Thanks again for the insight!

[Jeremy Fisher]

@msaok you do bring up a great point. I've never heard of atenolol but I'll be sure to look into it. Oh, and my blood pressure runs anything but low, it's on the high side for sure... so I've been cutting some of the salt out of my diet.
@Waterfall thank you for a very informative post. I will do the stretches you told me about as well as look up some new methods. At least till I can afford to have a work-up done. You said the first time you saw an acupuncturist it was a total of 8 visits? Was it once a week for 8 weeks? Seems like it could get a little on the pricey side. Also how often do you have to see your chiropractor? If you don't see him for awhile do you notice your pain getting worse? - I know that's probably hard to pin-point. In my case, I might be able to get the money to see a chiropractor, but I don't know if I'd be able to afford every follow-up visit. I'd hate to be in more pain than I was in before I saw the chiropractor in the first place. If that makes sense. Kinda like what @barkingmad brought up.

Thanks again for the insight!

The first time I went to an acupuncturist it was for a shooting pain in my head. This was caused by irritating the occipital nerve by putting too much pressure on it, on one of those hair rinse sinks at a salon. I waited a couple months b4 I went. I went twice a week for 2 weeks and then one a week for the remaining 4. The pain in my head went away. It was a very bad pain. Once or twice I considered driving off one of our mountain roads. I was desperate for relief and that is what drove me to try acupuncture. I cried at my PCP's and she doubled my 5/500s and suggested I try the acupuncture which did work for me.

I think acupuncture is better at resolving newer pains. The second time was when I set off my neck and left shoulder dusting high for a couple of hours. This time I went w/in 2 weeks and that is why I think the pain was resolved more quickly.

It would definitely stink to go for treatment and feel worse. That has happened to me many times in 20 years. I am lucky in that I now have a team that works w/me and do help me feel better. Took me a long time to find that.

But if I had not had a few bumps along the way w/not so great bodyworkers, I would not have the team I have now.

Today I feel kind of sad, as dh and dd just left to go biking. After our nice vacation we are back to the regular routine. It is good for dd to bike as it builds strength in her knee muscles. Just makes me sad to stay behind. But I am back on my regular PKs post vacation and can't risk a flare-up. Oh well, like I alway say, everyone has something. So I will watch TV and fold the laundry.