Trapped Nerve in neck / back

[GoodgirlgoneBad]

Hi All,

It looks like about a week ago I got what in layman's terms anyway is called a "trapped nerve". The pain is just excruciating, sometimes sharp and sometimes an ache (or both) - and is widespread - neck, left shoulder, left arm, even down to the wrist; and also up to my left ear and head. 24 hours a day.However, it's so bad that I got onto the case quickly and saw an osteo yesterday. She confiirmed the core problem is the spine, lower neck, or kinda where neck joins the back. All else is radiating out from there. I know one treatment isn't something you can expect results from, but it's so bad I'm not very maneuvreable, and she could only do gentle stuff while I sat. No difference yet. I didn't feel very optimistic about it.

I guess I'll decide and settle on how to tackle this - which kind of therapy - but it'sso painful I can't hang around in deciding finally what to go for.

My actual question is: orthodox info on this kind of problem is kind of depressing ("it can take many months to cure and in a few cases may never stabilise"). I have had something like it about 15 years ago and that did take as I recall maybe 10-12 very painful weeks. In the experience or knowledge or opinion of practitioners - I know this is a hard one to call - but how long orbriefly can such a problem last, with the right treatment? Months again???? It's hard to get through just a day, and I've been typing with one hand today.

Does the universe work in mysterious ways? Someone from near London visited today and was wearing unusual therapeutic shoes. Looking them up on the net, they are sold by a teacher of the Bowen technique - which I've never heard of! Then I find Frome, Somerset is "the home of the Bowen technique for Europe" - at least for one of two organisations. Er ... I live in Frome! So am thinking of leaving the osteo thing and looking into Bowen. Any comments? I've looked up the 1 or 2 practitioners here.

As a P.S., the ridiculous story of how this happened. A hike up and down hills with ramblers for about 9 miles ... that was just no problem. But they socialised in a pub afterward. I only had a diet coke (!) but for 90 minutes sat with both arms slung over the back of my long seat. Also - total introverts to my right who wouldn't say a word, and total extraverts to my left who did all the talking. So my arms were fixed crucifixion-style, and I was twisted left toward the talkers. -- I felt something pop and go sore.

So I blame extrovert non-stop talkers [&:]- and they're going to cost me how long (?) in great pain, and how much cash for treatment?

P.P.S. Last time, 15 years ago, I must say the NHS gave regular and useful physiotherapy which did the most help over time and for free ... but it took months. This time the pain is too much and I can't let time pass.

Summing up, any broad opinions on how or how long to treat this successfully? Thanks a lot. (Can anyone cheer me up whilst being realistic? )

Venetian

 

[First time mummy!]

Hi Venetian,

First of all, I'm sorry you're dealing with so much pain. That must be awful. Secondly, I wonder if you have considered chiropractic treatment for that. It sounds like something kind of went out of place and now the nerve is being pinched, so that's why I mention a chiropractor. I've had some things that only a chiropractor could fix. In fact, when I sustained a cervical strain or sprain (I can't remember which now) years ago, the physical therapist wasn't able to do a thing for me but make me feel more comfortable. Sort of like giving someone a blanket when they've got a broken arm. But the chiropractor fixed me right up. The same with thoracic outlet syndrome. I had a pinched nerve on the left side of my upper back near the spine, and every once in a while when it acted up, I had to see the chiro. for it. Massage can also help to stretch the muscles along the spine so the nerve isn't as pinched. I've heard of Bowen but wasn't that familiar with it, so I looked it up on the internet, and it appears that it could probably help you as well.

These are all suggestions I'm just throwing out there, just in case they might be of help. But hopefully, someone more knowledgeable will respond with some better info. for you. Meanwhile, hang in there! [sm=love-smiley-009.gif]

 

[IAmTheDrummer]

Hi Satori,

Thanks for the suggestion. From what I know of chiropractice, it sounds like it's better to try something extremely gentle instead. Bowen seems to be that as some forms of osteo can be. Let me explain - 2 days ago at my osteo appointment, things were so frozen up that she couldn't lie me on my stomach and press down in any way. So manipulation etc. is just 'out'.

I looked up more on Bowen last night. Very interesting but to a person like me it takes a leap of faith - practitioners are not (as in osteopathy for example) trained over years with knowledge of the whole anatomy etc., etc. It sounds more like (if it works as they say) a "miracle" (in quotes as there is a rationale behind it) method picked up over very short courses of days, and then practice treatments. Hm. But it's right on my doorstep so ...
------------------
By coincidence, on the hike before the nerve got trapped, a guy was talking to me about the fact he'd been out of action for months with a back problem and - this guy is a bit of a country yokel - he was helped by a local "giropractor". He was using that word over and over and it was hard to keep my face straight.

V

 

[Yobitza]

Ah, I understand perfectly. I think you're absolutely right.



True, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try, I guess. Like you said, it's pretty close to you.



Haha! I've heard of chiropractors referred to in the negative as "chiroquacktors" before, but I don't think I've ever heard the reference "giropractor". That gives it a completely new meaning!

 

[just one thing]

Hi Venetian [sm=wave.gif]

So sorry to hear you are in such pain at the moment. I kinda know what it's like because I suffered with sciatica for about a year. It was only cleared up whenI went to a local chiropractor who sorted me out. At the outset I found it hard even to stand in a queue in a shop becauseI was in so much pain. Aarghh!!

Another thingI used on my other 'arf recently when he had a painful shoulder was firstly Reiki, then followed by EFT. That worked a treat. He has had no pain since.

Hope that helps. Sorry I don't know about Bowen technique at all, but it seems rather like the universe is leading you to this, doesn't it? Do let us all know how you get on.

BTW I found this piccie and thought of your extrovert friends in the pub.Hope it might make you smile.



Hope you feel better soon, I'll send you some Reiki for it.

Moonfairy
xx

 

[jaiwithsoni]

Hi David

What a bummer! But you never know, if you take a positive point of view, it may be better sooner rather than later. I have to say that I also see a chiropractor from time to time and I don't think the treatment has to be 'strong'. Certainly my chiropractor knows her stuff and can be very gentle. As for Bowen, well I had a taster of this from one of my passengers on a tour in India, although there really wasn't anything wrong with me. I didn't take to it at all, to tell you the truth, and would not consider it a 'gentle' treatment. Also, as you say, with someone who doesn't have a good background in anatomy, you always run the risk of making things worse. My money would be on at least one appointment with a chiropractor.

Hope it doesn't drag on too long. You know, as I said at the start of this post, it may go quite quickly. Let's aim for that.

With love
Sunanda xxx

 

[Theworldofpets]

Hi moonfairy,

Yes, you've got it. Anything is hard to do - even standing in a queue. There's a certain dread with Monday coming since one has to be at work Monday-Friday and how will that be? - etc., etc. I'm not just thinking of myself but acknowledgeing how it is for anyone with this kind of problem -- which for me is still less than a week old!


No ... it's kinda the top of the spine, where the neck "joins on" or below that.

Thanks for the input, Sunanda. So you didn't take to a limited experience of Bowen?

... I wonder if practitioners of any kind of treatment fully realise what it's like to be in the punter's position? You have this awful problem and for practical and pain reasons are desperate for a genuine aid. Then you find there's a choice of maybe 15 different things you can have. Quite rightly, most say you shouldn't do more than one at once. And you usually find the practitioners of each will recommend their own ... which is kinda understandable too. And every choice you make sets you back maybe £35 (over $50) a pop.

It's almost as if there's a need for an independent body to assess which treatment really works best statistically for different things. Oh but there I go getting intellectual again, when that is not the point.

I reckon I'll try for Bowen. And in fact will report on this thread how it goes.

V

 

[Fiona]

Hi David

sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. Here is a daft question, but here goes. Have you been to see your doctor with this problem? I just thought that perhaps they could prescribe some strong pain killers or perhaps a muscle relaxant. Also, my doctors surgery has all sorts of different practitioners that come to treat patients,I wonder if yours does too; it might save you some money.

I can't offer any advice as to which practitioners might be best to help you, but I understand how desperate you feel to get better.I really feel for you, I do. There is nothing more miserable than being in constant pain. [&:] I hurt my back, leaning over to clean the loo of all things! I too felt something pop, and it was so painful I just couldn't move. I stood bent over crying for ages. I did manage to lie down, which helped matters,but my back eventually got better of it's own accord. It was very sore for a week or two, and I didn't have a full range of movement. I hope that this will not be a long drawn out affair for you. Can you not take a little time off work to rest a while? It might do you good!

If you like I can come and walk up and down your back for you, wearing my walking boots. I can't promise that it will fix your problems, but it might take your mind off your neck pain for a while!!

I hope that you are back in good health soon. Try a little positive thinking and have a belief in whatever treatment you decide on. The universe works in strange ways, and not everything has an explanation.

Take care
with love
Jacquie [sm=love-smiley-009.gif]

 

[body]

Thanks for your post, Jacquie,

I started the thread just yesterday, really wondering, "How long for?" - since anyone could take this for a week or so, but the concept of it being for much longer (as I did once have) was awful. But no-one of course can really say. So either there's no point to the thread, or it could br a blog of what I do and what works? I don't know.

A very practical suggestion, the GP. Yes, I made appointments both ways for 2 days ago. A GP didn't help didly squat of course, but she promised a quick physio referal. However as said above I've once gone that route and one is talking months maybe, or who knows. I'm still trying to focus on whether there's a quick fix for this kind of thing.

BTW, this is not all about me. I am now interested in what ANYONE can do in this situation? (BTW all this is one-handed typing - clever huh?)

The Dr suggested pills yes, and I've been on the max - 8 paracetomol a day and now 1200 mg a day iboprofin. I honestly can't feel the slightest difference so I'm thinking of binning the whole lot.

Time off work isn't really a great idea, but thanks. I was temping and quite new at a place. Of course if it's just impossible that is it, but advice seems to be to keep active if you can anyway.

Your story of your problem ... yes, it seems there is no way to avoid these things as they are usually caused by such innocuous things. I do very strenuous, physical things in life but that was never a problem! My (now) 2 trapped nerves have been caused by (1) in my sleep; (2) seated position while talking!

Personally I see it now as beyond the physical and into the metaphysical. It's karma; and inwardly I know how it could have been avoided. You can prevent seeming "bad luck" before it eve rreaches you, and I slipped up on that one.

V xxxx

 

[luvmylittlefatcat]

Hi venetian

Sounds like you've had a pretty rough time of it with the pains in your neck & back. I've found using Heated Lavender Cushion to be helpful with clients in the same position as yourself, you may find this helpful? Also 'Aloe Heat Lotion which you can apply'.

It does sound a little like you've over-done it! Sorry I don't mean to state the obvious but it's more likely you got the injury from the hike & you said you've had something similar before sounds like you have a bit of a weakness & often injuries only show when we are resting & the body tries to put itself back in place after major exertion. When we are going up & down hills for miles the spine & lower limbs take the impact of the up & down movement when we stop our body takes time to cool down & realign. When the weather is cool & a breeze is blowing it can cause the muscles & nerves to tighten as we relax & often causes major spasms.

If you were in Sussex I would gladly show you some techniques to prevent this sort of thing happening which you can do yourself. (Let me know if you ever are in sussex btw). Good Luck with the Bowen Therapist not a therapy I've Tried but if it helps in anyway Gr8. I will also send you some Reiki Healing, Love & Light.

Take Lots of Care
[sm=cat.gif]

 

[Kaitlynn W]

I thought I'd give an update on my trapped nerve for any therapists or others with the same problem in future. Just my experience:

Chiropractice was recommended by a doctor but seems utterly wrong. No way can I be manipulated or cracked around.

Osteopathy - I went early on. I think she was an inferior practitioner, or maybe the others I've known were superior. As she could hardly touch me early on, a complete waste of £36.

I had hopes for Bowen. A lovely local lady who is also some form of minister. She certainly knew her stuff. It's very wierd!! You get touched very softly for maybe 2 minutes, then she goes out of the room for 5, re-enters and asked what you felt in those 5 minutes. Apart from once my true answer was "nothing". The idea is that a few soft touches somehow get the body healing itself. Can't say I understand how the touches work. I didn't follow all the inter-appointment things such as drinking 8 glasses of water, walking around every 30 minutes. But I felt it did little if anything.

Ironically NHS physiotherapy might be best and I've started it! At least they deal with real issues in real ways.

It's been over a month now. Very disappointing to have spoiled the quality of life for so long. How long in all will it be ....... ? Trapped nerves seem to have no short-term fix.

Time off work and the passing of time must have helped. I no longer take any pills whereas at first I wanted morphine. Not a joke! It may be 40 % healed after 4 weeks plus. I think it's just time..... Back to work this week so I hope that doesn't flare it up again. (I rested over a week.)

Just thought I'd report in!

V

 

[Kaitlin]

hi David,
I'd advise prompting your physio into giving you a postural diagnosis and advice. They tend to treat the symptom and although that's very helpful, you may get further value from the sessions by identifying underlying body postures:questions like "Where should my shoulders be when I'm driving/at the computer/sitting in the pub?"
But you could also try tapping [link=http://www.emofree.com]www.emofree.com[/link].
My mother had had a sharp, nagging back pain all her life which was caused by a traumaticincident at 14 - we tapped on many aspects around it and it went.
I'd suggest looking at your posts and tapping on all aspects that you mention eg the giropractor guy, the fact that you were listening to extroverts, where your shoulders were, where your arms were,and any others that you didn't mention. Find out what your emotional/physical entity feels is relevant and let the rational side go hang for a while.It's good for simple pain relief too ie tap while you are focusing on the pain.
And it's free.You just need to go to Giles's web-site to get access to the tapping points andyou are away.
If you want more help, then post.
Sending good vibes your way, and hope you feel better soon,
Sharonx

 

[amranKay]

Thanks Sharon,

I've been face-to-face all along with the fact that no illness or injury is "mechanism gone wrong". Karma or an 'energetic' thing caused the shoulder to pop, yes. At that geographical place, at that time.

Thanks. I'm certainly reviewing not being open to anything like it again, - accident or whatever.

V

 

[Stefany]

May I add that the whole reason I started this thread was for it to be a kind of semi-blog, just so that my experience might add wisdom to any other reader here.

I hadn't got a clue where it would lead, but this is how things are. I once was in so much pain that I wanted Morphine! It's getting much better, but here is the thing, and it may not sit well on HP. I spent money for private treatment going to an osteopath and a Bowmen person. The fact is that they were rubbish - in the case of the osteopath, I intuitavely feel that that she just was not experienced.

So my advice is, for somone with a trapped nerve - you know how I am getting better? Three things_

1. Time. I think the passing of time is the main thing.

2. NHS! The New Age sort of people didn't do a thing for me, just took my money. The NHS physio, which you get as a referral for for free, has definitely helped - just brilliant. She was incredible and was no-nonsense.

3. This is probably just a personal thing. The pain made me lose confidence in my body. A pal happened to call and insisted that I go out on along hike. It turned out to be far, far longer than I expected. But it gave me confidence again in my body, that it can do the job. In other words, try pushing it, with a friend.

V xxx
Edit: Oh, but that is not to say that the hard hike did not hurt on the day! It hurt like heck, like torture- but in my case I was OK the next day.

 

[RachelS165]

Let me really be clear about why the NHS was best?

I was in far too much pain to go to somebody who would crack my back, so that was out.

Just to repeat, I feel the osteo was not very experienced. In fact, she actually said that she could hardly touch me.

Bowman? I am not anti it, I did try to "pretend" that it worked for me, but to be honest it didn't do a thing.

It's actually the second time in my life I have had a trapped nerve - it hapened 12 years ago. On both ocassions it seems IMO that the NHS is best. This time, she even touched the very bone in my neck which was out of place, and showed it to me on a model. TBH, the others didn't seem to have a clue. Both times, the NHS therapist knew exactly what thay were doing. Anything else was a waste of money.

V xxx

 

[Questioner]

Ouch, I know how bad all of this can be. About 4 years ago I pinched a nerve in my back and was in excruciating pain for months. I thought it was just a pulled muscle around my ribcage at first, but after a while I thought I should see the Doc, who was pretty useless, but identified it as a nerve problem round T4. I then went and saw a chiropractor which again was useless, kept rambling on about my pelvis and treating that as the source of the problem. It didn't work and cost me £100s. Intermittently I saw various sports massage therapists/kinesiologists etc as well as doing all my massage training so getting lots of student massages. None of which really helped, but by this time the acute pain had died down and I was left with chronic, neck and shoulder troubles. Finally about 6 months ago I decided to see an osteopath, who I have to say has helped tremendously. The chap I use I know is very knowledgeable and can clearly identify the problem areas without me uttering a word.

Maybe as you say NHS physio would have worked and would certainly been cheaper, BUT the doctor really didn't treat this as a serious complaint and pretty much dismissed it as his problem. Yes, I could have been more assertive and returned with my complaint, but at the time I didn't realise how problematic it would.

I guess my point is there are good and bad therapists/healthcare workers, it can be luck of the draw.

 

[Hung To Lo]

Yes, it's not just the therapy chosen, but the therapist. Even though she couldn't help, God bless her, the osteo (I forget the kind, but a specialist kind) explained that within a discipline of therapy, people can vary so much that one discipline almost crosses into another.

V

 

[hello sunshinee. <3]

Hi,

I have come into this thread rather late, but I just wanted to say that after weeks of suffering a trapped nerve in my back, my daughter attempted to massage my back but it was so painful I was crying so much all the time, and believe me she wasn't putting the usual massage pressure on my back.

So she did some reflexology on my feet, and the next day the pain had gone...... I would personally recommend this type of treatment as it does not involve touching the back at all.

Freda
XX