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Neck/Backpain for years, now lower back pain, could it be related? Bowen treatment?

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val46767
val46767

I have had CS for 8 yrs. C5/C6 disc bulge, C6/C7 annular tear, T4/T5 annular tear. It started of with Vertigo after a fall then had shoulder pain (frozen shoulder) put right by physio. As time went on I had chronic headaches, at the base of the head radiating to the top, with severe neck pain, which practically immobilised me Physio would help with the pain in the first two/three years but then didn't help much at all. I've had numbness and tingling in my hands and arms, tinitus (which I've got used to now) TMJ (jaw pain) which is worse at night. Trying to get an answer to whether these were connected was a nightmare. I eventually found a chiroprater who was fabulous. He explained how the body was connected and how these different problems were ALL related. He used manipulation, massage and Accupuncture and at a time where I thought I couldn't cope, he managed to alleviate the pains! Unfortunately, I moved and had to find someone else, no one I have found is as good! Now I have additional things chest constriction, rapid heartbeat at night, weakeness in the arms, pain in shoulder, hip, knee on right side. I never get a good nights sleep with pain in neck and back and shoulder and jaw. Makes me so tired and concentration hard. A concave pillow and neck roll help and I change them round through the night. I have found lying flat with small neck roll helps. Just recently I suffered a pain in lower back, Made walking, sitting standing hard, I don't know if this is related, has anyone else had this? I have also found something called PIDDD treatment (had one session) and Bowen Therapy (one session) which took away the stiffness I felt. Has anyone else tried this? I am quite a positive person but there are times I just get so fed up with it all! 

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Smoll
    Smoll val46767

    Posted

    Hi Val. I, like you have suffered many various soft tissues injuries as well as joint pain in shoulders, hips, lower back, knees and obviously my neck. I was convinced there was something that tied all these together and I was finally diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility type.(also called hypermobility syndrome, depending on what the Dr knows it as) The collagen that is supposed to be the glue that holds me together is faulty and over stretches, causing muscle fatigue and pain as they have to do the job of the tendons and ligaments and hold the joints together. I can easily pull my joints apart, where on others there is no movement. It has caused mayhem with my organs too, especially my gut, from mouth to anus (sorry if TMI) I have had IBS in various forms for nigh on 20 years now, almost as long as my neck problems. I have TMJD  & raynauds syndrome.

    Like you I've tried everything from physiotherapy to acupuncture. The only things that have truly helped is learning as much as I can about the syndrome and then deal with each issue separately. I have a lot of meds including ones for the nerve pain I get in my arms. I found amitriptyline the most helpful and it helps with sleep too. The rapid heart beat at night could be what is common amongst us EDSers. We get many adrenalin rushes, mostly at night. They do help with pain in the daytime, but disturb sleep as often as the pain that wakes us. It can be corrected with a beta blocker if you can tolerate it. However you should have it investigated, I found I had heart condition and had an extra electrical circuit burned out in July, so please don't leave it!

     For the all over stiffness I use a med called baclofen and it's a fab muscle relaxant. Diazepam was much too addictive and I couldn't use it as often as I needed and kept it for emergencies only. But Baclofen is different and I can take a small dose every day to keep the muscle tightness and spasms at bay. It makes day to day living a lot easier.

    The most helpful thing for my neck pain has been wearing a buff or scarf at all times (unless it's a really hot day) even at night, especially at night! I find even the tiniest of draughts will set it off. Heat pads are great and I have emergency ones (self heating kind) that stay in my handbag.

    One of the best bits of advice I ever received was to curl up in a ball for 10 mins before I get out of bed. then I sit up and stretch my neck and shoulders out and make sure I'm as aligned as I can be before I get up and start the day. The curling up helps the discs imbibe fluid which keeps them plump and in better working order.

    Pilates and Bowen Therapy are recommended as they are gentle. Pilates strengthens the core muscles and helps protect the back muscles from doing the wrong job. Bowen releases the muscular tightness. Personally I loved chiropractic therapy, but my neck has gone past the point of it helping, now it actually makes my nerve issues in my arms worse so I have to avoid it sad

    I wish you the very best of luck and feel free to PM me for more info if this has rung any bells. For better info I use a great site that has the information standard it is www dot hypermobility dot org

    • val46767
      val46767 Smoll

      Posted

      Hi Smoll, thanks for the great information, much appreciated. So sorry you have ED syndrome, read up on it. I agree only thing to do as you say is to get as much information as possible and so glad I found this site as its good to get support and info from other sufferers. 

      I have not looked at the Hypermobility site yet but will. I did try something called PIDDD which also helps to loosen stiff muscles and is supposed to realign the body, it does seem to have helped.

      i try not to take any drugs if I can help it as I too have been plagued with IBS for many years and have a sensitive stomach so need to watch what I take. I use Muscadol sometimes which is a muscle relaxant with sleeping agent but is now not on the market and night Panadol also with sleeping agent if I have gone a few nights with little sleep! 

      thanks again for all the info. Take care and I'll let you know if I find anything else which helps. 

  • jeanette43594
    jeanette43594 val46767

    Posted

    Hi val46767

    Have you tried to get in touch with your old chiropractor to ask if ha can put you in touch with anyone in your area now? He might be able to help? As for your tinnitus see your GP about it as you can get small hearing aids for that(brother has them) I do hope you get some form of help  as it does get you down the pain?You have my sympathy for  chronic headaches as i too suffer from them as well as numbness in arms/hands but please try again your old chiropractor are you having any more BOWENS therapy  if it helps see your GP? good luck  and take care rolleyes 

     

    • val46767
      val46767 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Thanks Jeanette, I'll try that. I don't think he is at the same clinic anymore but maybe they have a forwarding address. I can just about put up with the tinnitus now but something to bear in mind thanks for that. I intend to have another Bowens Therapy as it did help a d have tried something called PIDDD which also helped. If your headache is at the base of the skull try holding your head with fingers spread and thumbs either side of the head in the little intents and pull upwards to the count of ten, make sure your head is upright, this is a yoga move my instructor showed me and it works for me. Look up McKenzie therapy too it's gives you self help exercises which also help neck and headaches. Thanks for the advise, good to share these things with fellow sufferers. Really sympathise. Take care. 
    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 val46767

      Posted

      Hi val46767

      Hope you have  luck in locating a good chiropractor or your old one.If that does not work ask your GP to suggest one for  you if anyone knows a good one he should!! Will try that but i have to be careful of neck tried physio once ended up in bed for three days as he put me in traction with weights nearly killed me (not really) but i thought he had LOL!!!Have not got much movement in neck/back as have steel rod from top of neck down to bottom of spine so really rigid one good thing i am always standing up straight and    other  ailments  athiritis neck/hands/numbness in arms omg falling apart !!!eek Son has trouble with tinnitus and he has to have the t.v on when he is in bed and he has it on a timer. You could try that if it is possible? well take care and hope to read your next post jeanette xxrolleyes    

       

    • val46767
      val46767 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Hi Jeanette, 

      thanks. I'm trying the Bowen Therapy tomorrow, so hopefully should loosen me up a bit! I also had traction before, know what you mean it's a weird experience, lol! You must have very little movement in you're neck, did they not give you exercises that you can do after the steel rod was fitted? At least you must look like you have good posture, lol! Have to laugh don't you, lifts the spirits! Sure people must think I'm some kind of hypochondriac but hey ho! I'll let you know how the Bowen Therapy goes. Take care for now :-) xx

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 val46767

      Posted

      Hi val46767

      Good luck with the Bowen therapy tomorrow. Did no really need it then just young(10/11/12/ when you are young you dont really need it i waas  doing all sorts. Sports walking (climbing trees!!!)  All with a full body plaster cast from chin to hips!!eek Always have had good posture never got wrong for slouching in class thats for sure!!When you say you are not well people look at you as if as you say a hypochondriac because what they see is nothing  because it is not visible. Now with me i have a slight lean on one side.When i was at school and the odd time i did do P.E they used to say crouch down there i was  standing straight as a die LOL!!! But i would not change anything apart the pain!!! When they did this there was only 4 of us that had it done as they had never done it before.Well hope tomorrow goes well for you and take care rolleyes xx    

       

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