[JaneLdn]

Hi all,

Hoping for a bit of advice here.

I still have a stiff painful neck as a result of my concussion (I hit my head in January). I guess this is similar to whiplash. I've had 4 physio sessions but they haven't helped. Any advice on what might help? Not sure what to do now and I think if I could sort my neck out it might help my symptoms.

Thanks
Jane

[Mark in Idaho]

For me, it is important to be disciplined when I sleep. I sleep on my back with my head supported on both sides with a bunched up pillow. It stops my head from rotating too far either direction. If I do roll to my side, I bunch the pillow up so my spine is straight.

There are pillows on the market that are designed to support the spine in a straight position for those who sleep on their side.

When I sleep on my back, I have very little elevation to my head. The pillow only works to support the sides of my head.

There are some 'at home' devices that allow you do to periods of slight traction. They attach to the top of a door jam and wrap around your chin and head. You pull on a rope that goes through a pulley connected to the top of the door jamb. This slight traction, repeated many times during the day can be beneficial.

There is also a technique where you have someone help you with two towels rolled up and placed under your chin and the back of your head. Then the ends are twisted together by your ears and the person pulls gently for a bit while you are laying on your back. This is repeated for a few cycles.

You might google "neck traction" and home. You will find plenty of references.

Hope this helps.

My best to you.

[Jomar]

What kinds of things are they doing in the PT sessions?

modalities to ease the pain and relax the muscles, (such as heat, massage, triggerpoint work, ultrasound, e stim, LLLT?)
- or having you try to strengthen the muscles when they are still painful.

I usually suggest expert chiropractic or at least some evaluations by good ones. maybe even upper cervical ( atlas/axis or c1,c2 care)
for info on it see - signs & symptoms - http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
www.upcspine.com

With a whiplash type injury there is also some chance of later on acquiring thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) especially if you have a repetitive or desk type job or hobby.
much more info on TOS- http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

[postconcussion]

I highly recommend neck traction. My recovery was helped a lot, but I would be very careful about trying it yourself if your injury is severe. If not, the other posts were great about how to find the info online.

My PT sessions consisted of 30 minutes of neck traction and stretching. The key is to find the right amount of tension and pull.

During my first few sessions I was overstretched and had severe dizziness. I would recommend not driving to your therapy sessions. I had to be very specific if I felt anything while being stretched. At the slightest uncomfortable feeling my PT would stop because you can really feel it later. The uncomfortableness and pain would last for days. After the initial sessions, it started to get so much better! Its amazing what the right amount of traction can to to release pressure.


My PT recommended that for at home traction to use a phonebook. It is worth giving it a try.

Also, ask for stretches that you can do yourself at home. It is very hard to stretch the sternocleidomastoid muscle without having some nausea. I still have to stretch my neck daily (pcs 15 months) because of the severity of the impact.

I use the heating pad everyday and that is so helpful. Also I have a special neck pillow that I use. My PT said a towel roll is helpful to a lot of people.

My neck got a lot better but it took a while. Take it easy and don't turn your head fast or try to strain it while driving for example. Best wishes.

[JaneLdn]

Thanks all for advice. The PT sessions were manipulation, massage. I'm not going to them anymore (can't afford to pay for something that doesn't make any difference after 4sessions!).

Wouldn't say my injury is severe exactly. It's basically limited range of movement, stiffness and nervy pains.

Neck traction sounds interesting but bit nervous I'd do myself an injury!

[Mark in Idaho]

Do some online research on home neck traction. You decide how much force to use. The key to it is not how much force you use but how frequently you do it with very mild force.

[Dmom3005]

new question on the neck issues.

I was in a accident on 3/2. And I have a whiplash neck injury.

My neck is very hurt when you have to go up with it: Like to raise
it to look at a computer screen or anything else. I can't lower
it lots of the time either. I'm on pain meds, and muscle relaxers.
Plus something for the swelling, and start PT this week.

But I'm not sure what if anything the PT is going to do for me.

I am used to hurting all the time much worse. So I don't know if
I should just try to get through this. The accident wasn't my
fault, and its being paid for by the other drivers insurance. And
I am in pain.

Donna

[Jomar]

Hi Donna,
see my earlier post - hopefully they will do some pain relieving therapies for you.

[Dmom3005]

Thanks Jo* mar

I am really hoping some of this works. I will be doing the shots again
if it doesn't.

And I don't look forward to that.

Donna

[Dmom3005]

Thought I would let everyone know. My therapist is trying a new form
of therapy called cup therapy. Its a therapy, that you put these cups
like things that have a gell of grape gell and then it suctions on your body.

It can be used with a massage too. I also own my on tens unit. That
I will be taking back to be reprogramed for usage.

And I have stretch exercises.

Thanks for the help.

Donna