Neck injuries

[Champy]

Had 2 R-Cuff tears; torn knee ligaments; constant back problems; etc... have been through surgery; perscription drugs; chiropractors......

I now have a daily routine that has really helped (for some reason). Every morning and every night - I use an inversion table. I bought one of those goofy rotating tables that you lay on and hook your feet into collars, then the table rotates upside down and you can hang there. Only do this for about 2-3 minutes at at time............but no back pain; no joint pain; feels good when I'm done. And on those odd occasions when I seem to tweak something (minor) in my neck or back.....off to the table to stretch and then realign everything.

I am not a doctor, but got tired of all the "other" solutions and not being able to help myself. This works for me along with basic stretching movements to stay limber. (FYI - I'm 48 yrs old)

 

[charlz]

I agree that this sounds more like a neck injury, maybe just 'out of alignment'. I injured my left rotator cuff when I was 17 and it has come back twice (I am now 38). Once when I was in the gym going for 'max bench' ... hurt it was so bad it was like a new injury (maybe was): couldn't lift my arm above my head (bicep would not come up past horizontal) and arm was just very weak. I spent months in the gym slowly getting range of motion back into my shoulder. My solution now is: work out daily and don't do anything stupid (e.g. 'max bench'). I have a desk job that allows me time to workout during lunch. I work out so that I am in shape enough to do everything on my place that needs to be done without injuring/killing myself

If the pain starts in your neck and moves to your shoulder I would say it is probably just 'transference', could be a pinched nerve.


Reminds me of an old joke:

Guy goes to the doctor complaining that every time he drinks coffee his eye hurts. Doc asks him: "Have you tried taking the spoon out of the cup?"

Charles

 

[roxynoodle]

I tore my rotator cuff when I had a horse rear up and come down on it. But, that was like 13 years ago. After therapy (not bad enough to warrant surgery as I'm not a MLB pitcher) and using the latex band at home, I had much improvement. The repetive motion of grading papers if there is a lot of them will aggravate it though. Grading didn't cause it to happen, just makes it act up again.

 

[AndyMA]

I believe you could tear your rotator cuff by turning and reaching around to steer or brace yourself. Having frozen shoulders myself and kids who have had 3 shoulder operations in the last year it does not superise me. I can tell you that if I drive backwards a lot it certainly hurts my frozen shoulders. Rotator cuff seems like the same kind of force to occur.

Andy

 

[daTeacha]

FWIW, those of you shy of chiropractic might look for a D.O. or osteopathic physician instead of an M.D. If you can find an old school D.O. he can do a lot of the things a chiropractor does while also paying attention to the germ theory of disease. None of this sounds like germ related stuff.

 

[N80]

Some regular old MDs can take care of joint problems too.

 

[rback33]

My guess is that it's a neck thing too... I always knwo I am passed due for a visit to the back quack when my fingers are tingling when I type.. I a know I am gettin close again.... I played football one too many years...

 

[DrRick]

I am also 54, same exact symptoms as you describe. I have agravation when looking back on the tractor also , and have pain in my job as a dentist looking down into the patients mouth. I was diagnosed as a pinched nerve in the neck due to the stress that the musculature puts on the spine in order to stay turned so far in that position. Couple the twisted neck with a few bumps on the tractor and you could have a problem. I also have a torn rotator on the right side from an aggressive boar goat that was finished with me cutting his hooves , even if I wasn't. I found that the pain was very different, but both caused a tensing of muscles that the cold packs would help if I used it. I also have an inversion table that I find helps when these attacks occur. P.S. I am not letting ANYONE cut on my spine, unless I am totally debilitated. Just my opinion, and yes - everyone has one.

Rick Roberts

 

[DCS]

DrRick, I am incline to think it is a pinch nerve also "but what do I know!!" The exam that he gave me was, I thought not that thorough. He did put my arm is several positions while feeling my shoulder and he seemed to think the shoulder was trying to pop out of joint. I guess that's why he thought it may be a torn rotator cuff. I did some tractor work this morning and yep my neck and shoulder is hurting. I don't have one of those inverter tables, but I might hang my feet from the FEL and have my wife raise me up and down.....

 

[gclark94560]

Hi All!

At the risk of sounding like a commercial - find a good Chiro!

The best way is to just start saying to all of your friends - " I'm thinking of seeing a good Chiro, do you know one?". See if one or two names keep popping up. If so, go see them. Ask for a free consult and short exam. Almost every Chiro believes in your right to make an informed choice. If they try too hard to sell you a "program", move on.

GIve the Chiro 8 to 10 visits to see if it is working. One shot seldom causes a cure. Things take time to heal.

I sea several thousand patients over 20 years and I can say that the problems you guys are talking about have a high success rate. Of course, there are cases that are too far along for the Chiro to fix, that's when you need a good Orthopedic surgeon.

Greg