[Keepin'TheFaith07]

Hi Everyone, I am a frequent visitor to this forum, and have found lots of helpful info. But felt the need to post my feelings and questions tonite.
I've been dealing with PCS and an upper cervical neck injury for over 2 years now.

I fell on black ice and hit the back of my head. I wasn't knocked out, and tried to suck it up and thought I'd be fine. At the time of the accident, I had just changed careers, as a personal trainer. I was previously working for a big company, doing IT work. And my job was outsourced.

Also 6 wks prior to my fall, my ex-husband died, after an 8 month battle with cancer.. We had been divorced the year before, after being together for 21 years.. So I was going thru a lot of loss and change before my accident.

My initial main symptoms were nausea, head pressure, fatigue, fullness in head, some wooziness, and headaches. And Sensitivity to light and noise..
I had a CT scan and later an MRI of my head and neck.. Both were ok. The 1st year I saw 2 neurologists. Neither were very helpful, and so I didn't go back.
I also saw an Osteopath and a Cranial Sacral therapist.. Both gave me relief, but not enough, to be symptom free. I also had acupuncture for about 3 mos.. It was very relaxing, but didn't resolve my main symptoms.

In the past year, I was tested at the SUNY College of Optometry in NYC, on the 5th floor for Head Trauma patients. My diagnosis was convergence insufficiency. And so after that, I went for Vision Tx for 4 mos..
I also started seeing an Atlas Orthogonal chiropractor last Feb.. She took x-rays, and said my Atlas was out of alignment. And she believed it was restricting blood flow to my brain. Once it was stabilized, I would heal.. I was going weekly for the past year.. My atlas would never hold for more than a few weeks at a time. My chiro didn't want me to lift much weight, until my atlas was stable. Living alone, it is hard to always follow the 'rules'.. and Being a personal trainer, it is hard not to pick up weights. I only work part time, at a local gym, and have a few in home clients. But I'm like a handicapped trainer... Argh ! Most of my clients 'get it'. But it's very frustrating.. I used to hike and bike a lot, and work out at the gym.. Now I can't do any of that, without getting the pressure/brain torqued feeling in my head. My main source of exercise now is walking..

I finally stopped seeing my chiro weekly..it was getting costly, and I wasn't getting better. However, I started myofascial therapy a few weeks ago.. So far, I feel it is helping my neck.. But not my head yet.. My chiro also told me that their was a lot of tissue damage and trauma from the fall. So I am hoping the myofascial therapist can help with that. Then maybe my atlas will stabilize..

In the past 2 years, I have healed on some levels.. I don't have much fatigue, nausea, or whooziness. My memory seems fine... I play lumosity a few times a week. And my scores have improved greatly..all over 90th percentile.
But my main symptom is the head pressure, if I exert myself too much, or if I'm stressed.. And even when I need to eat (my brain lets me know it).

Mark, I know you've said you have an atlas - occipital injury. I am assuming I have something similar. Sometimes, when my neck is really out, I almost feel like there's a stick going up the back of my head... Also causes ear pressure. But since seeing the myofascial therapist, I am finding some relief with my neck. I just wish I knew exactly what was wrong.. But I am also tired of seeing new drs or practitioners...

Is there something I'm missing or should / should not be doing ???
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated...
Thx !

[MsRriO]

Hi there!

We have a very similar injury story to one another. Ice... my enemy and my friend.

Do you regularly ice your upper neck? I do, thanks to the advice here, and it helps.

I also have the fullness in head, pressure, and the feeling goes into my ears and nasal cavities too. Hurts sometimes, other times just discomfort. Headaches are my main issue.

I've recently been considering if chiropractic care is something I should try... Reports of its success really vary.

I'll be watching this thread to see what others advise.. Glad you posted!

[Mark in Idaho]

I can't imagine doing any lifting of weights, even just to move them around. The imbalance of lifting with just one hand causes so much muscle strain all the way up the neck. Anytime the shoulder muscles contract, there is always some neck muscle involvement.

If you need to lift anything, try to use both hands and lift in a balanced way. Start by squaring to the load, take a breath and release it to balance your torso, then, do the two handed lift. Do this even if the lift is small. often the small lifts are the ones we do the most damage with. I did that lifting my first born when he was only 10 pounds. Ouch.

You might need to try a cervical collar to help you stabilize your neck, even if it is just a reminder. It takes at least 6 weeks for soft tissue to strengthen. My neck has been talking to me today. It says, stop moving and ice me. I have the classic tenderness behind my left ear.

But, it is my turn to be my wife's caregiver. She tripped and shattered her wrist on Sunday. She is in lots of pain from surgery to repair it. I like to be very sedentary when my neck acts up so I can ice it then not disturb it so it can settle.

Upper necks can be a struggle. Myofacial can be a big help at getting the neck and shoulders balanced. Hope you have a good MFR therapist.

MsRriO,

You need to be very careful when selecting a chiro. Some are good at running you through their system to collect their fees. Others are more focused on your physical needs. You want to find a chiro who uses gentle techniques for the neck. No twist the head and pop the neck. It is too aggressive for our conditions.

My best to you all.

[Keepin'TheFaith07]

Thx Mark for your response. The first 3 mos that I saw my chiropractor she was very strict.. Didn't want me lifting anything, and had me wear a cervical collar, when I was at home. She told me to have my clients pick up all the weights, and do little lifting around my home. And to ice my neck as well, as much as possible.. I followed her treatment protocol as much as I could.

I try not to lift more than 10 lbs at a time.. But it's not always possible. I almost quit my job at the gym last Summer, thinking I would take 3-6 mos off from everything, to see if that would make a difference in my neck healing, and helping my brain heal. Others advised me that I may end up getting depressed being at home, and I would also worry since I had no income coming in.. (Currently living on money my ex-husband left me). So I kept working, and continue to work about 20-25 hrs / week.

I always wonder how much my neck issue has to do with my brain healing.. There are days my neck feels fine, and I still have my brain symptoms.
It does get confusing and frustrating, trying to figure out what I should be doing/ not doing... Am I prolonging the healing by working as a Personal Trainer ???

Hello MsRriO... I am glad you responded...and we can relate with a similar experience, and symptoms. I totally agree with Mark about finding the right chiro. My brother-in-law is a chiro, and totally believes that there is no harm in cracking my neck, brain/neck injury or not.. He believes I need to be 'moving the joint' and totally doesn't get it...Argh !

Sometimes I do think my Atlas Orthogonal chiro is too strict in her protocol.. Since seeing the Myofascial Therapist, my neck has a lot more flexibility. And she also helped with some trigger points that were pulling on my neck, in my upper traps. . She came highly recommended from an acquaintance, and is certified with the John Barnes Institute..

So for now, I will be seeing her weekly, and going back to my chiro when I feel I need to.. And trying not to lift much weight when working, or at home.

As many of you can relate, this injury has changed my life so much.. But I am grateful to be alive, and try to enjoy life as much as possible, one day at a time, while I continue to heal. God Bless You All !