Hey all,

I thought i would post to ask if anyone had any advice about neck and back pain induced from getting a concussion. There seems to be a wealth of knowledge out there among those who post on this forum. I've been to two different D.O.'s regarding my neck and back pain, and the best explanation it that I am doing something to cause some of my vertebrea to get out of position and thus poke into my muscles, which is causing constant spasms. I've been doing pt to strengthen the muscles but that hasn't helped at all.

My school physicians ordered MRIs and Xrays, with MRIs coming back clean and Xrays showing that my spine was completely straightened- meaning the muscles spasms are pulling the spine completely straight. I also have problems where my legs fall asleep alot.

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. The drs. haven't been able to tell me what's going on- which has been QUITE frustrating.

Thanks,
Erica

Are your hands and arms or fingers affected at all with the neck & shoulder pain?

Have they checked you for hyper mobility?
It's easier to get out of alignment if you are.

Some of the tips for self care on our thoracic outlet syndrome {TOS} forum might be helpful.
here's the link to the TOS useful stickys thread -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

First off, MRI's and x-rays will rarely show the slight alignment problems with your back and neck. A chiropractor may be able to help you, especially one with expertise with upper cervical skills (skull to C-1).

Some DO's may have good spine skills but the majority do not get the level of expert training needed to be helpful.

Maybe an PT with good skills at myofacial release may be able to help. Most PT's have some knowledge of MyoFacial Release but are not experts at it. I have had the same problems. Only 2 out of 10 chiropractors could help me and about the same with PT's. Keep looking for a chiro or PT that can help.

Some massage therapists can work your back well enough to help. Ask you PT if you can use a take home traction rig to gently stretch your neck.

Some PT's have a traction bed you can lay on on a frequent basis.

There is a medication called Soma (carisoprodol) that will relax your postural muscles to help you spine 'settle in.' It is not recommended for long term use but for a day or two may be helpful. Ask you MD. If you are prescribed some, find a place where you can relax in a straight and supported position, maybe even with a bit of traction like at your PT's. Do not do vigorous exercise while using Soma.

Be careful with driving, etc. If your concussion symptoms get worse, tell your doctor.

Be careful.

I hope this helps.

hello, erica21 -
I am not a medical doctor, thus I would not suggest what you should do.There are some excellent postings on this forum on specifically upper cervical chiropractic and atlas-othogonal chiropractic.

If I had it all to do over again, I would have gotten myself straight away post-the E.R. to such a professional for actual *care and treatment* instead of big pharma drugs to mask the symptoms, for example pain in
neck, back, head, etc.

I have benefited from A/O work already since last week; I am 20 mos. post-injury.

You say that your legs fall asleep a lot. That's a serious concern. Do you have a good neurologist? (They are rare gems, yes.) I'm sure that others far more knowledgeable will post here re: your concerns. Just wanted you to know someone is listening here tonight.

[I've been doing pt to strengthen the muscles but that hasn't helped at all. ]


If your muscles are in spasms, you may have trigger points {small sore knots in the muscles} - those TrPs need to be released before the muscle can fully recover.
And that must be done before you try to strengthen those muscles.

post #1 in that useful sticky thread link I posted has trigger point info that explains it better than I can.
It is something you can try for yourself if you can reach the areas to find them. - a tennis ball against the floor or wall is what I used for releasing the TrPs.

You probably do need an advanced PT or a expert chiro - or both...
maybe some Alexander bodywork {I read library books & Googled videos on lots of this stuff} it helps with releasing the posture so it is not a forced posture.

It's amazing how poor posture can strain the upper back muscles.
head forward or shoulders rolled forward etc - shortens the chest muscles and weakens & stretches the upper back muscles.

Myofacial Release Therapy is very similar to Trigger Point Therapy. It causes the muscles to release the spasm by gentle (sometimes not so gentle) pressure on the muscles. The muscles is challenged with the pressure until it fatigues or releases. The improvement can be dramatic. It usually requires a few follow-up treatments to be long lasting.

thanks for link. I don't believe I've been checked for that, since I'm not sure what that is? My arms used to fall asleep, but now it's just my legs that fall asleep.

All-

thanks for responses. As i've posted, I'm a Division 1 lacrosse player, so I've had an athletic trainer and team physician working with me through out this process. I've also seen a D.O. who works with the athletes at my school. The D.O. I saw through my school told me that I had a problem with my trapezias muscle that's been in spasm for months and is therefore pulling my spine completely straight and causing the pain I'm having. He told me that with a couple weeks of PT with my athletic trainer I would be better.

Not the case! It's actually changed from my neck being the worst to now my back. I've done physical therapy, active release, muscle energy techniques done by both the team D.O. and another D.O. I saw for a second opinion. The second D.O. mentioned Alexander work, but I haven't done the proper research on it yet.

I just had my appointment with the Drs. down in Buffalo concerning my concussion and they suspect most of my problems are now stemming from my neck and not so much any lingering brain damage. They suggested I get with a good PT/chiropractor who knows what they are doing with the neck.

I'm going to be home in the DC area for the summer and was wondering if anyone out there could recommend any reputable chiropractors or physical therapists.

Thanks again for all your responses. This has been the best support system I've had through these 7 1/2 months.

Erica