SueK888
08-15-2008, 11:36 AM
Hi All,
I've had lifelong neck and back issues which were originally caused by a car accident, but aggravated over a lifetime of job-related activity, mostly repetitive motion and heavy lifting and extensive computer usage.
I'm in my early fifties, female - and now find that my daughter is suffering from the same sorts of problems (hers due to a fall about five or six years ago) and job related stress and strain.
Just recently I've found that in both of our cases, for different reasons, this pain is mostly due to upper cervical damage. I am not even making ends meet, so the option of getting an extensive workup and treatment at an upper cervical chiropractic office is not an option. For me, surgery and prescription pain medication has never been an option either. I will use little more than the occasional extra strength tylenol or advil/motrin on intense pain days.
For me, swimming is the best non-impact exercise I've found, and walking but due to extreme plantar fasciitis in both feet I can't spend a whole lot of time on my feet either - trying to exercise.
Has anybody else who is familiar with this kind of upper cervical injury any further suggestions for me?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have on pain management.
:bouncing:
Sue
I've had lifelong neck and back issues which were originally caused by a car accident, but aggravated over a lifetime of job-related activity, mostly repetitive motion and heavy lifting and extensive computer usage.
I'm in my early fifties, female - and now find that my daughter is suffering from the same sorts of problems (hers due to a fall about five or six years ago) and job related stress and strain.
Just recently I've found that in both of our cases, for different reasons, this pain is mostly due to upper cervical damage. I am not even making ends meet, so the option of getting an extensive workup and treatment at an upper cervical chiropractic office is not an option. For me, surgery and prescription pain medication has never been an option either. I will use little more than the occasional extra strength tylenol or advil/motrin on intense pain days.
For me, swimming is the best non-impact exercise I've found, and walking but due to extreme plantar fasciitis in both feet I can't spend a whole lot of time on my feet either - trying to exercise.
Has anybody else who is familiar with this kind of upper cervical injury any further suggestions for me?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have on pain management.
:bouncing:
Sue
Sponsor
Mod08
08-15-2008, 02:28 PM
Your post has been relocated to the proper message board - spinal cord disorders message board. All posts concerning the cervical neck should be posted here on this board.
All posts concerning lumbar back problems should be posted on the back problems message board.
Thank you for your cooperaton.
Mod 08
All posts concerning lumbar back problems should be posted on the back problems message board.
Thank you for your cooperaton.
Mod 08
SpineAZ
08-15-2008, 03:38 PM
Sue:
Have you had any testing to define what upper cervical injury you have? There are a variety of different type of cervical spine problems so it's hard to help without knowing your test findings, diagnosis, etc.
Have you had any testing to define what upper cervical injury you have? There are a variety of different type of cervical spine problems so it's hard to help without knowing your test findings, diagnosis, etc.
SueK888
08-15-2008, 05:57 PM
No, actually I haven't. I've simply lived with it my entire life. And at the moment, without medical insurance and savings, there's no way to get a diagnosis.
SueK888
08-15-2008, 06:01 PM
Just wanted to say also, that it's fairly obvious to me that this is what's going on. I had a car accident in my late teens which has disclocated the top bones in my spine, and whenever I am able to receive chiropractic adjustments, it's always that area of the neck and back that need the most work. Once they are released and realigned, I start feeling better immediately. At this point though, without the money for the adjustments, I'm wondering if there are any non-surgical, non-prescription or OTC solutions that would help beyond what I do right now.
Thanks for asking.
Thanks for asking.
SpineAZ
08-17-2008, 01:14 AM
Sue:
Unfortunately without a definitive diagnosis there is no way of knowing what treatment options would be available. If you are treated by a chiropractor that has never done xrays you should be cautious as any chiropractic treatment without xrays can be harmful.
Having all the medical problems I have every job I get has to have great insurance. I've turned down job offers if they don't have good insurance plans.
Unfortunately without a definitive diagnosis there is no way of knowing what treatment options would be available. If you are treated by a chiropractor that has never done xrays you should be cautious as any chiropractic treatment without xrays can be harmful.
Having all the medical problems I have every job I get has to have great insurance. I've turned down job offers if they don't have good insurance plans.
SueK888
08-17-2008, 02:44 PM
Sue:
Unfortunately without a definitive diagnosis there is no way of knowing what treatment options would be available. If you are treated by a chiropractor that has never done xrays you should be cautious as any chiropractic treatment without xrays can be harmful.
Having all the medical problems I have every job I get has to have great insurance. I've turned down job offers if they don't have good insurance plans.
Hi SpineAZ,
The chiropractor that I am using now has the access to my xrays from ten years ago if he wants them. However, he took the time and listened to my entire medical history as well, which is somewhat unusual these days - getting a doctor to actually listen to you. He also explains everything he is going to do before he does it - and asks me what I think about it before he does the adjustment. He's a real gem.
I am also a lifelong chiropractic patient - have seen many different doctors in my day - so I can pretty much tell who knows what they're doing and who doesn't. The damage to my neck and back preclude a lot of work - I can't sit at a computer all day, I can't do any heavy lifting. The plantar fasciitis in my feet preclude me from standing for 8 hours a day either. I spent four years taking care of my mother, which not only put more stress and strain on my back, but makes me ineligible for disability - because I was not earning a paycheck in all that time. Getting a job I CAN do which will allow me to even survive and pay rent is Godsend enough with or without insurance.
Everybody has a unique set of circumstances and limitations in their lives that we have to work with, I know. Sometimes you just have to wing it. I appreciate what you're saying though.
Thanks!
Sue
Unfortunately without a definitive diagnosis there is no way of knowing what treatment options would be available. If you are treated by a chiropractor that has never done xrays you should be cautious as any chiropractic treatment without xrays can be harmful.
Having all the medical problems I have every job I get has to have great insurance. I've turned down job offers if they don't have good insurance plans.
Hi SpineAZ,
The chiropractor that I am using now has the access to my xrays from ten years ago if he wants them. However, he took the time and listened to my entire medical history as well, which is somewhat unusual these days - getting a doctor to actually listen to you. He also explains everything he is going to do before he does it - and asks me what I think about it before he does the adjustment. He's a real gem.
I am also a lifelong chiropractic patient - have seen many different doctors in my day - so I can pretty much tell who knows what they're doing and who doesn't. The damage to my neck and back preclude a lot of work - I can't sit at a computer all day, I can't do any heavy lifting. The plantar fasciitis in my feet preclude me from standing for 8 hours a day either. I spent four years taking care of my mother, which not only put more stress and strain on my back, but makes me ineligible for disability - because I was not earning a paycheck in all that time. Getting a job I CAN do which will allow me to even survive and pay rent is Godsend enough with or without insurance.
Everybody has a unique set of circumstances and limitations in their lives that we have to work with, I know. Sometimes you just have to wing it. I appreciate what you're saying though.
Thanks!
Sue