I just had to share this. I can't say enough good things about my chiropractor! I was a little leary about trying a chiro again (the last one claimed he could cure me of TOS after one appt) but figured I had nothing to loose. My chiro is trained in Graston Technique and Active Release Technique...both of which he has been using on me.

My upper back/shoulder blades feel the best they have in a long time...not to say they don't hurt but they are better. The Graston Technique is doing a lot to help break down the scar - it makes me feel sick to my stomach while he is doing this but the blood flow that comes to the scar after is great! Should make a huge difference. Stretching my pec muscles helps and working onthe scalenes is coming along.

Now with adding in a chiro my weeks look something like this:
- 3 physio appts for 1.5 hours a session
- 1 Cranial Sacral Massage for 1/2 to 3/4 hour
- 1 'regular' massage for 1 hour
- 2 chiro appts for 1/4 to 1/2 hour a session

So when people ask what I do during the week, I tell them my treatments plus driving are equal to at least half a work week! I feel it if I get away from treatments for a week. I am still weak in my right arm - very weak...I have adapted to using my left arm a lot now.

Anyways...that's where I stand...I am nearly 7 months post-op now...still in more pain then before (doc wants to up my Neurontin and if I have no success with pain control try Topomax again) probably because of the numbness I had before. I have been reminded that pain means something is alive...numbness means it is 'dead'. My hand still gets cold and numb but it is intermittent (can't spell sorry!) now...20 mins is about the most I can use the PC. Still on pain meds, usually have a nap in the afternoon...I am not my normal self but at least I feel one step closer to finding the right combination of therapies.

Thanx for reading...hope everyone is doing well!

first time i visited the chiro i gained 15 degree of rotation in my neck on each side...was SO amazed- had to go back. never saw quite the same drastic improvement, but is does help- I go once a week or so. She usually does a little massage and/or ultrasound on me, too.

Hi Jamy.....hugs,

what a busy little lady you are!!!! I too am in love with active release and nerve stripping which my new MT does on me more than massage...however still miss Brandy with all my heart!!!! If she grows a little bump in her belly pls tell me!!!!

I hope like hell your physio is on the ball however I know by now you are wise as an owl on who is good and who is not!!

As for topamax pls be careful. I hope that you look up the side effects of this med....as others here have posted before side effects are many and if you are driving you may not be able to. How about nortriptyline???? I am finding it helps at least with depression and nerve pain....can be increased slowly (as can topamax....) but just a little bird in your ear my dear...


Miss our coffee plans.... lonely out here in the foothills......you are overdue for a visit....after Vagas...but wait you can't you have too many apointments!!!!

oh by the way careful with massage while away....they should not even treat if they don't know what tos is or how to treat it!!! however sauna and steam room!!! ok in my book!

love and hugs,
Victoria