Cervical damage?
 

Hi Everyone,

I fell about 1 month ago and hit my should and left side of my head pretty heard. I think I felt my brain move I hit so hard. I never passed out and remember everything. I started have severe headaches about 2 weeks ago and my arm has gone numb once. The doctors seem to think it is post concussion syndrome but I think I may have done damage to my neck. I can't see a neuro until next week and wanted to see if anyone had any advise on how to relieve the pain. Cold or hot compress? Lay flat on by back with a roll under my neck? Any suggestions?

some of these might have that info for you-
Chiropractic care info- a good one can help with many symptoms:
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
http://www.uppercervical.org/subpag...b/about_faq.php
http://www.spineuniverse.com/index.html
http://www.coloradochiropractic.org/.../glossary.html

PLEASE ***DO NOT*** see a chiro...
 

...until you find out what happened to your neck!! Get an MRI first, of your head and neck. Have it checked very carefully for any abnormality, including Chiari Malformation. If even a "slight" Chiari is found, it can result in symptoms, and chiro will make it WORSE!!!!!


Good luck!

LIZARD :)

Agree!

Stay the heck away from Chiro's!!! I don't care who says what or what websites you read. STAY AWAY from them until you KNOW what is going on. If you have a neck injury of any kind, a manipulation could make you worse if not kill you. I am sorry if I am sooo abrupt but every time I read about someone using a Chiro I about go balistic! Let a Neurosurgeon tell you what you need to do. I agree with Lizard, get an MRI asap! In the meantime I don't think heat or ice would hurt and even a cervical pillow or cervical collar perhaps. All I am really saying is don't run off and do something on your own (Chiro's) until you KNOW EXACTLY what is going on.

I KNOW not everyone has a good experience with a Chiropractic Doctor... but...NOT ALL CHIROPRACTORS ARE BAD!!!

Here is a site that lists the educational requirements for a Chiropractor.... (I have no association with this doctor just passing on that it has good information regarding educational requirements)
http://www.drgrisanti.com/mddc.htm

Here is a site that has answers to many frequently ask questions regarding Chiropractic. (I have no association with this doctor just passing on that it has good information regarding chiropractic)
http://www.kerkhoffchiropractic.com/pages/faqs.html


With choosing any doctor... ASK QUESTIONS!!!


A good Chiropractor will have you fill a large number of forms in order to get a great amount of information regarding your medical history, how active or inactive your lifestyle may be, what your current reason for seeing him/her is, etc....


He/She will also take x-rays and perform other appropriate exams before ever adjusting and will only adjust if it is safe and necessary.

I probably should have added all the suggestions on finding a good DC or any Dr:) but my hands were hurting at the time I replied so i just copy/pasted my links.

The important thing is to find good DCs, MDs , PTs that listen to you and will search deep to find your cause of pain and do the best treatments for you.

Yes, the important thing is to find a SPECIALIST FIRST and ASK QUESTIONS as I have already stated.

I was not saying all chiros are bad. Did you even bother to read what I said?? I said some conditions can be worsened by chiro, and before you go running to one, you should find out what the CAUSE of your symptoms is. If the cause is something neurological, such as Chiari Malformation, chiro will WORSEN it. It doesn't matter how good the chiro is; symptoms from Chiari will worsen without surgery, and manipulation of the head and neck will aggravate them and worsen the herniation. If your brain and spine are normal, you may very well benefit from chiro, but it can be lethal to the wrong people, and you may not know you're one of them unless you get checked out first.


LIZARD :)

Yes, you MUST be very careful . The Chiro should take x-rays at the first visit and then see what the problem is. Discuss it.
My chiro is a life saver to me as my back frequently locks up, and only he can free it up. But I don't get my neck manipulated any more. I never was comfortable with that being done, and since he knows that it is arthritis he leaves it alone.
But the back treatment for me is excellent.

It's important to note--again--that x-rays won't pick up Chiari; only MRI can, so please get the MRI first, and if you hear any comments like, "There's a tiny abonrmality in the cerebellum..." make sure to get it checked out further. Even a nearly imperceptible difference in cerebellar structure can lead to serious problems that can be made worse by chiro.


LIZARD :)