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pcshealer,

Do you stare at a computer screen for long periods at work? Sometimes, maintaining the same neck position can cause muscle spasms that interfere with blood flow. There are some things you can do to alleviate positional or postural issues. You might look into some desk exercises.

Regarding the psychosomatic comment by your neuro, I got somatoform disorder entered into my medical record. It is the KISS OF DEATH. After that diagnosis or even off-hand comment, every doctor after will dismiss you.

I believe we need an avenue to legally protest a somatoform diagnosis.

Regarding the TMJ issue, dentists are a very expensive form of treatment. A good physical therapist who knows how to go in your mouth and release the spasming muscles will likely give you better relief. Been there, done that. Wasted hundreds of dollars. There are some physicians who know how to inject Botox into the jaw muscles to lessen the spasms that cause many of the problems.

Be careful about sleeping on that side of your face. Some people even sleep with a hand under their jaw. It causes problems. My wife used to sleep with her right hand under her right jaw. A maxilofacial surgeon could tell by how it effected her TMJ and muscles.

Hi Everwilde,

I'm happy to say I found an upper cervical chiropractor who thinks he can help me. He's in my insurance plan too! :)

I had my first treatment yesterday after a thorough exam and x-rays the day before. Just like you said, he took precise measurements of my head and did a few little taps with his instrument. I am feeling a little better and am hopeful that he will be able to solve the problems with headaches and dizziness.

Thanks again for this information.

Don

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everwilde (Post 596761)

My insurance does not cover the upper cervical chiropractor either, but it has been well worth the investment for me. I think that the start-up costs were not that bad, something like $300 dollars. But each follow-up visit is $40+. I had so many odd mishaps that I ended up going back a lot and it ended up costing me quite a bit. I suppose that the average person could spend around $1500 and a few months of time to bring it around.

The procedure is pretty straightforward. They take a few specific x-rays that show the exact alignment of your neck. They lay you on a special table, enter in all the info, and a small metal rod precisely taps the bones into place. The first time I had it done, it was such a light tap, that I thought, "that won't do anything...". But, I sensed an immediate release in head pressure, and over the next days had a lot less fatigue and all the other symptoms started to clear up. Then he has you come back 2-3 times a week to check and make sure that things are in place, and to calm down any problem spots, sort-of like a physical therapist. If you lived anywhere near the Eau Claire, WI area, I would recommend him.

An interesting side-note to all of this relating to dizzyness. I have found that if my SCM muscles ( a protruding muscle from below your ear, and down the side of your neck) get tight, or my jaw muscles get tight from stress, chewing on beef jerky, or clenching my teeth from a headache, I will get dizzy. If I can apply pressure to the SCM or jaw muscles and clam them down, the dizzyness goes away. Why? The these muscles attach back into the upper neck area, and if they start to pull, they can create a pressure on the brainstem again. I have noticed a similar mechanism with my shoulder getting tight. Just another theory...