Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 13:53:09 GMT

Two things I've found to help (although my neck pain is very secondary to other issues I have to I found these for the other issues first): swimming wiht a center mount snorkel it lets my neck muscles relax and sometimes I even find stroke changes that stretch my upper back a little, Feldenkrais http://www.feldenkrais.com/ Classes are quite inexpensive and then you can use books and DVD's at home, it seems hokey when you start but hte results can be quite amazing not all classes are listed on this website so do some checking locally, the movements are so gentle at the least they fall in the do no harm catagory. Years ago, I had some neck pain also and did what SDSwimmer did: Center mount snorkel. I found that the continual turning of my head to one side (I only know how to breathe on one side) was exacerbating the problem. A couple of weeks of using the snorkel and the pain was gone. A few more weeks of weaning myself off the snorkel and it too was gone. Yes, you look like a dork in the pool but you're still swimming and not losing any conditioning. I also found that I needed to be careful at turns to not raise my chin as that also seemed to make the neck pain worse. Feel better, Swan

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:16:09 GMT

Is it necessary to exercise when we get in a swim pool? The other day I was in great pain in my glutus maximus and had calf cramps from over doing a walk on the beach. I did double what I usually do and then went up town and walked back (about 2 miles up town and 2 miles back), ouch. Today I loli gogged in the pool and feel much better now. We must learn to take it easy no stress and strain. I did about 20 laps but it was not exercise.

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

swimshark — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:51:14 GMT

Beth, I hope you can get back in soon, too. Alison

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

swimr4life — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:34:44 GMT

I went to PT today for an evaluation and treatment. The physical therapist said I am a "mess"! :( I have many muscle imbalances and scoliosis. He showed me a different stretch for my neck and really took the time to figure out where my pain was coming from. I really like him and hope and pray he can help me!! He said no exercise for a week.....only stretching. I hope I can swim some time soon!!:fish2:

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

swimr4life — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:59:19 GMT

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. I went to my MD and he referred me for phyical therapy and a MRI. Hopefully this is just a muscle imbalance and not a disc or spine problem. I'll keep you posted!

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:57:46 GMT

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:33:55 GMT

I've had neck and back problems that seem to go away when I start doing pull ups or pull down machine. I believe as we get older the vertebrae compress and stretching them by hanging (pull-ups/pull downs) help decompress (just an idea). Is it possible that one of your muscle groups gets more work than the opposing group (chest / upper-back, stomach/lower-back, shoulders/lats)? A couple weeks working the weaker opposing group may help. Good luck with that pain in the neck. Both back pains and neck pains can get depressing so don't give up and I know you'll find a cure.

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:36:19 GMT

I'm ready to leave yesterday! Not a bad idea! Thanks for your support and encouragement Cathy. My husband's company is doing their annual insurance renewal right now. You better believe I'm researching for the one that pays for massage/alternative treatments. I've already had one shoulder surgery....I will do everything in my power to not go through that again. The rehab stinks! Dorthoyde, I'm trying yoga at the gym. I've only gone once but can already see how it would help! Good advice! Fort, I'm going to ask the ortho that did my shoulder surgery about options you have mentioned. I really respect him and feel he would know what route is best for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and research with me! Beth, look into reflexology. Foot massage. You can research the web or buy a book you may be able to help yourself with self treatment there...it does work.

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:52:51 GMT

Beth I am so sorry that you are really not feeling well. I know how frustrating it is not to be able to do the things we love to do. It sounds like you have several things going on and that it is going to take some time to heal. I hope you can find a cheaper place for a massage. I get one weekly and know that they are my saving grace. I pay $50 for 45 minutes but my benefits from work pay for them. I dont have tons to offer other than my support. Get well soon Katie

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:54:11 GMT

The best Massages I have ever had. Angel a Mexican guy here in Melaque Mexico, charges $35 a hour. Fly here get a room for a week or 2 - $200 a week.

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

The Fortress — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:54:25 GMT

I'm ready to leave yesterday! Not a bad idea! Thanks for your support and encouragement Cathy. My husband's company is doing their annual insurance renewal right now. You better believe I'm researching for the one that pays for massage/alternative treatments. I've already had one shoulder surgery....I will do everything in my power to not go through that again. The rehab stinks! Dorthoyde, I'm trying yoga at the gym. I've only gone once but can already see how it would help! Good advice! Fort, I'm going to ask the ortho that did my shoulder surgery about options you have mentioned. I really respect him and feel he would know what route is best for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and research with me! Even if something is technically not covered, you can appeal the initial denial of coverage if your doc will write a letter of necessity. My Hubby appealed the denial of prolo for his hamstring and won. I'm going to do the same. Although my understanding of PRP is that it can be covered. You need a really excellent experience doc for these procedures though! Good luck with the insurance. If I had more time, I'd definitely do yoga.

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

dorothyrde — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:32:06 GMT

I think a lot of times people, especially when they are young neglect the stretching part of working out. Then over time, our muscles just get all bunched up, and it becomes almost impossible to stretch out. I know people at my age who can no longer hold their arms over their head, they no longer have the shoulder flexibility from lack of use and stretching. I have always stretched, but it is just this year I started adding yoga in twice a week, and it has really improved my flexibility, and leaned my muscles out.

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

swimr4life — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:22:44 GMT

Beth, I'm so sorry about your pain. I know it can be frustrating not being able to swim. I hope the chiro and other docs have sone answers. My sister has a great massage therapist in Atlanta. My sister does long tris and trains so much she has to massag out the knots a lot. We also have an awesome shoulder doc there, too. He's a bit hard to get into but so worth it (he did my knee surgery in 1999). If you want some names and phone nubmers, let me know. Alison YES! Please let me know!!!

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

swimr4life — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:14:35 GMT

The best Massages I have ever had. Angel a Mexican guy here in Melaque Mexico, charges $35 a hour. Fly here get a room for a week or 2 - $200 a week. I'm ready to leave yesterday! Not a bad idea! Thanks for your support and encouragement Cathy. My husband's company is doing their annual insurance renewal right now. You better believe I'm researching for the one that pays for massage/alternative treatments. I've already had one shoulder surgery....I will do everything in my power to not go through that again. The rehab stinks! Dorthoyde, I'm trying yoga at the gym. I've only gone once but can already see how it would help! Good advice! Fort, I'm going to ask the ortho that did my shoulder surgery about options you have mentioned. I really respect him and feel he would know what route is best for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and research with me!

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

swimshark — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:14:23 GMT

I may have to take the money I was saving to go to Austin and invest in some massages! :sad: Beth, I'm so sorry about your pain. I know it can be frustrating not being able to swim. I hope the chiro and other docs have sone answers. My sister has a great massage therapist in Atlanta. My sister does long tris and trains so much she has to massag out the knots a lot. We also have an awesome shoulder doc there, too. He's a bit hard to get into but so worth it (he did my knee surgery in 1999). If you want some names and phone nubmers, let me know. Alison

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:18:28 GMT

My nubby appealed the denial of promo for his hamstring and won. Your nubby? hehehehe:lmao:

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

swimshark — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:19:06 GMT

YES! Please let me know!!! From my sister: Collette at Georgia Sports Massage. But she can see Chrissy or Robin (guy) too. All three are good. www.georgiasportsmassage.com for phone numbers.. The shoulder doctor is Dr. Scott Gillogly. He does shoulders and knees only. His contact is: 404-352-4500, 3200 Downowwd Cr., Ste 500, Atlanta, GA 30327. He is the ortho for the Falcons and Thrashers so you might not see him exacly but I can say that he has a wonderful staff of doctors. Any of them will be worth the trip. Good luck. Alison

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

johnhughes — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:06:47 GMT

Hi, Beth: First, I assume you do not have any radiation of pain from your neck down into your arm and hand... no muscle twitching or cramping in an arm muscle you can't explain by way of too much zeal in the wt room... and you do not get a 'zinger' into your arm when you turn your head a certain way. Good :applaud: I read your finding of the loss of lordosis of your neck - unnatural straightening. So, I would assume your musculature is really out of balance causing the stack of cervical spine bones to be pulled up straight rather than settling back into their repose positions with facet joints engaged. I reviewed everyone's postings and I am happily surprised by the knowledgeable posts. I too like the dead tennis balls for self-adjustment of my mid back. A similar tactic is taping two racquetballs together (tennis balls are slightly too big for me for this...) and lie face up on a yoga mat or so. Put the 'dumbell' taped-together racquetballs under your neck and relax, letting them cradle your neck. Then, gently scooch down toward your feet and let the dumbell roll up and lodge at your occiput... putting a gentle traction on your neck. I do not think traction will be a quick fix for you, but the gentle stretch is good. Other stretches can be found in a cheap but good book by Bob Anderson. Now, for reconditioning: For swimming, I would mix freestyle and backstroke to allow your neck curvatures to change slightly during your workouts. You also might consider slowly incorporating 'neck rotations' into your weight program to strengthen the strap muscles of your cervical spine. Passive heat and active warmup before you swim... and you might skip the heat. An ice pack afterward... and good luck to you :cheerleader: John

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

The Fortress — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:31:58 GMT

Your nubby? hehehehe:lmao: I am, but that should probably go on the "gyno" thread. :bolt:

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

dorothyrde — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:51:37 GMT

I find adding yoga this year has helped tremendously. I do an hour, twice a week. However, you have to get rid of the inflammation first.

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

The Fortress — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:15:56 GMT

THANK-YOU SOOO MUCH for all the advice and encouragement. This has been extremely frustrating for me!:whiteflag: I was so tired of hurting and in need of a endorphin fix. I figured not swimming for almost 3 weeks had not helped ( I've swam once!) so I might as well swim and at least feel better overall.....even if my neck hurt. I went "swimming" yesterday and boy was that a mistake! I swam easy and did a lot of kicking with fins. The little bit of swimming I did, I used fins most of the time. I kicked without a board, on my back and with my arms at my side. Boring...but at least I got my heart rate up. My neck and left shoulder started tightening up and hurting pretty quickly. I only did about 1500 yds. So, I did vertical kicking. When I got out of the water, my left shoulder was killing me! It hurt to lift or extend my left arm. UGGGHH. I went to the chiropractor yesterday and told him how very frustrated I am with my lack of progress...even worsening of my symptoms. After examining me, he said I have inflammation/tendonitis in my left shoulder and muscle knots all in my neck/shoulders and back. I'm not surprised! He said the Dr. in the office (MD) can give me injections right into the muscle that will decrease the inflammation/pain. The injection would be a natural substance made up of "natural plant extracts and minerals". They are called "Traumeel" and "Zeel". Sounds kind of hocus pokus to me. I'm going to do some research before I do that. Fort, is this similar to your prolotherapy? If so, have you seen any improvement? My chiro also said my exercises I've been doing (I showed him) were not working my upper back enough and I had a definite muscle imbalance. He showed me some exercises to do. He aslo said that I needed massage more than anything to break up my knots. I may have to take the money I was saving to go to Austin and invest in some massages! :sad: No, those injections are not the prolotherapy and plasma regeneration I am doing. Prolo actually causes inflammation. But prolo and PRP are treatments for chronic tendonitis and tendonosis of the sort you have. www.treatingpain.com (bottom left corner, there's a youtube video that explains PRP). The cure period is a long one though. But I am definitely better now than I was before I started treatment. And I'm not done yet. Maybe you should ask one of your docs about it? I know it's unconventional, but it has helped me when nothing else did. PRP is supposed to be faster and more effective than prolo. (There was a recent article in the NYT on Aug. 7 about prolo.) It's also supposed to help prevent arthritis problems when you get older from all the tendonosis and fraying. I haven't heard about the "natural" injections. (In fact, natural supplements have no effect on me whatsoever. But I don't think they help chronic conditions much.) I know you know that cortisone isn't terribly good for you in the long term because it weakens the tendons. I did get a cortisone shot in my trap muscle when I was in agony back when I started swimming. It did nothing. Injections into the muscle are difficult and often ineffective unless you're using a special fluoroscopy (sp?) machine. Knots are tough. You've got to do massage. I also find ART is really good for knots, muscle imbalance and muscle tightness. Often, we're so focused on the tendonitis, we forget that we need muscle work. The bottom line is that when you're training hard at our age, it's tough to keep all the tendons and muscles happy. When you're sprinting, you're straining every muscle. That strain takes a toll and has to be managed. It's by far the biggest challenge I've found in masters swimming. So I usually buck up and go to ART 2x a month or so and cross train. Is your chiro ART-qualified? ART is great for muscular imbalance. If you have to spend the money on massages instead of Austin, get the massages. Otherwise, you'll be in real danger of not swimming at all. Besides, you swim kickass times without even leaving your state!! Are you doing scapular exercises along with the RC stuff? Maybe you need to hit the weight room a bit. I don't do that many weights, I usually focus on core work, but I do do some moderate upper body work. My pain doc seems to think it really helps take some of the burden off my shoulders. I feel your pain. I wish I could make you all better. I do know exactly how you feel. :kiss1::hug::bighug:

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

swimr4life — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:30:05 GMT

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:50:06 GMT

Beth, I have similar issues with my neck, trap and accursed rhomboid muscles. Mine are the aftermath of one too many whiplashes in my younger days. My one-two punch is a combo of massage/chiro when the pain is acute (knock on wood, happened only once in the past year). Massage is so expensive, but I have found a way to mitigate it somewhat. It's not widely advertised, but when I went looking on my insurance co's website, I found a list of massage therapists that the company had negotiated a lower price with. When I need massage therapy, I only pay $45/hour for it. I was initially concerned about the quality of massage, but this particular therapist is nationally certified and works with the Eagles twice a week (sadly, massage isn't helping their play). She has, however, helped me tremendously when I've needed it.

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:04:48 GMT

I just wanted to say I hope that you begin to feel better swim4rlife. That is tough. I get a massage weekly ( great benefits) so I am lucky. I know that neck pain is tough. You have lots of great advice here. Just make sure you don't injure yourself more. Good luck. Swimstud. I bet you are having a hard time not swimming. Sorry for the pain OUCH. It is hard when you cannot swim. I was back in the pool today after 9 days off. IT WAS fabulous. Katie

RE: Pain in the neck - need advice/encouragement!

Former Member — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:24:44 GMT

Beth...I sympathise. I have a back ache and sciatica right now. I couldn't swim last night, which was distressing b/c up until now swimming has always been on the "able to do list" albeit slowly and gently. I couldn't do more than 200 before the pain started to heat up. I ended up doing some kicks on my back with fins just to get something done... it sucked. Oh Beth, also. Drink lots of Green Tea...makes you pee and removes the waste from your muscles. I'd reccomend a cup a day for anyone to be honest. Very good after massages etc.