Hi all,
Wanted to ask your advice on what to do or where to seek treatment for a sharp, constant pain on the left side of my neck. This pain started around October 5 and at first could be controlled by Advil.
I believe that the pain was caused by my visit (first time ever) to a chiropractor. I went to 3 sessions. On the last session on Sept 26, I had a headache after treatment and then 5 days later experienced the sharp constant pain on the left side of my neck.
I attempted to swim through the pain and just take Advil. However, one week later, the pain is so intense that I now cannot swim at all. As of yesterday, my shoulder and left arm are numb. It hurts to inhale deeply on land or in the water.
I've alerted the chiropractor (although I will not go in for another session!) and am making an appointment with my general doctor. Advil, Tylenol and Aleve no longer work.
Do you guys have other recommendations like:
See a Physical Therapist
Get deep tissue massages
Apply heat and/ or cold
Get X Ray
CAT Scan
Something else?
Sux to not swim! :cry: Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Former Member
That's cool George, no flame war here. :wave:
My point is competency. :2cents:
Btw, my wife can get rid of one of my migranes in about 10 minutes.:D
Glider
The two deaths happened in our little town of Delta BC it is not a claim. The deaths both occured because of neck minipulation.
But true MDs have had the same many a problem. All I know is there are to many people doing neck minipulation. Many hairdressers give neck massages and do neck manipulation. Even the massages given by masseuses some times get carried away into neck manipulation.
I will never allow anyone to do neck manipulation on me.
She-man,
I feel your pain. I used to get piched nerves in my neck farily often when I was in my mid to late 20's. I couldn't sleep, drive, whatever! it was always a bummer when it happened. I went to the chiropractor for a year and overall I think it helped. I also went to an orthopedic and there was nothing major so I felt more comfortable trying the chiro. I no longer have major neck issues and I am glad I am not getting adjustments. I never really liked the idea of someone cracking my neck.
Having said that, I would go to an orthopedic and get it diagnosed...x-ray, MRI, whatever it takes to understand what it is. I would follow the PT or whatever he prescribes. You just can't mess around.
Also, I don't breathe on both sides and I'm sure my neck thanks me. I just take a peak the other way when racing. Maybe think about this. Also RICE, rest, ice, compression, elevation.
Please don't change your avatar.
Glider it is not a war for sure, I just do not want a neck manipulation for me.
Every one else can decide for themselves.
Like I don't do drills, again every one else can decide for them selves.
I will never take part in a stress test because that guy died ahead of me. I am not saying that any one who wants to do it should not have one.
Perhaps, but more likely in conjunction with an xray. Any DC who does any manipulation without a thorough evaluation AND an x-ray analysis should NOT be practicing...:dedhorse:
Agreed on the bad chiro...
My understanding is that a good chiro could diagnose this defect with manual examination of the neck. OTOH, a bad chiro might well try to achieve mobility in the fused joint with potentially disastrous results.
If it is going to take a while to see the specialist...you might try and immobilize your neck in the meanwhile. There are soft neck braces available at drug stores. You don't have to wear it all the time, but perhaps when sleeping or on the couch.
I had to use one after a particularly bad case of sleeping on the wrong side of the bed. I couldn't turn my head. I tried massaging my neck, then swimming through it, and I just made the injury worse.
It is an unusaul thing to happen. It does not happen very often. But it has scared me off.
For real - two deaths!? I didn't know that was an outcome! Yes, he did neck manipulation on me. Arg. He wants to see me immediately. I think I'll have to pass based on this info. Did make an appointment w/ my general doc for first thing tomorrow morning. Maybe they can take an x ray. Thanks for the warning. I had no idea. Just hope this pain goes away. :violin:
Wow! I'm tearing up with all the awesome responses and ideas (although some of these excess emotions could be due to lack of endorphins and estrogen too!)
Glider, you kicked my BUTT on ***! That sounds funny! But true. Thank you so much for your offer to PM you. I will do so shortly. I'd like to speak with your wife if that's okay. I really appreciate your feedback. I'm SURE that there are some great chiros out there and some not so great ones. On my initial evaluation, he did NOT take XRays. Guess that is bad. Crap. He felt around and just started adjusting. Graduated in 1993 from Life Chiropractic College. Things seem to be getting worse here. In speaking with him (I finally told him that I was going to my MD to get xrays first thing tomorrow), he said it sounded like I have a "misplaced" rib and that swimming most likely aggravated it. My MD that I am going to tomorrow is actually Pro Chiropracty. So. . . we'll see what they have to say. She recommended that I try one out for my migraines.
Aquageek - stop picking on poor Stud!!
Ourswimmer - lord, I hope nothing is fused. I did keep the sheets that he gave me after each visit which shows what vertebral level he supposedly adjusted. Looks like he did C1,C2; T1, T2; T8; L5; and S. I will insist on Xrays from my MD. Sorry that you had so much trouble yourself! I'm so glad you got through it!
Marksman, you are on to something there. I can confirm that swimming is making it WORSE. ARG. Neck brace here I come. Boy, picture me in that get up with my nice spiked shoes and prom dress. What a pic! I'm envisioning a new avatar!
Fort, thank you as always for your kind wishes!! Aren't we too young to have all these physical ailments!? Yeah. It's not good. Pain is quite intense. Hey, if I do have a broken rib or something, at least I can tell my coach I did all these practices with broken ribs!? Now is that commitment or what!? :violin:
Geochuck, I'm scared off a bit from the Chiros for now. I'm seeing my MD first for X Rays. At which point, I can be referred to a specialist if necessary! I do appreciate your experiences and knowledge even though it's not what I want to hear!
Will keep you all posted.
Slowswim and Aquageek, HA HA! That was nice to laugh.
:notworking: (Not swimming) Ick!
Thank you again!
Glad that it worked out well for you. It sounds like finding the right chiro is key to having a good result.
Yay! Sounds much better already. I'm hoping for a simple impingement issue that a good chiro can correct! But get the MRI -- make it an arthrogram -- to rule out any tears or other issues. Over the counter meds, while they may temporarily relieve the pain, stop inflammation, which is actually the healing process. I gave up that stuff up long ago. A friend of mine told me recently that her shoulders feel better this year after she gave up ibuprofen too.
Keep us updated! Hope you can swim soon.
Craig, I'm with you on point 1 and 2. Thanks for reminding me about massage. I need to get on a regular schedule with that.
As someone who has been receiving massages once a month for the last 5 years I have to say GET BUSY!!!!! They are the best thing ever. Not only to help keep things nice and loose but also to help YOU diagnose any problem areas, i.e. areas that you didn't even know were sore. I sooooo look forward to each one and man, do I get cranky if I miss a session.
But, while there are tons of massage folks out there and most of them are very good, I have found (after going thru 6 of them) that I get my best results from someone who is extremely knowledgable on sports medicine and kinesiology (study of human motion). If you CAN, try to find someone who also works in a sports rehabilitation office and does massage therapy on thier own. I have found that those give the best chance of finding someone who can best help you maintain peak performance but keeping you nice and loose.
Just my :2cents:
Paul
