[kjc]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I don't know if this would apply to your specific condition but I used to work for a cervical spine ortho who preached that hyperextension of the neck and working at tasks with the neck in one position for prolonged periods would both keep a cervical spine sprain/strain irritated and inhibit healing. If you will Google hyperextension of the cervical spine or the neck, you will see that mostly it is contraindicated online by reputable medical sites. I know it is with most orthopedics as I've read so many medical reports on cervical injuries/disk disease. Hyperextension really causes the facets/foramen(especially is compromised by arthritic changes due to injury/age) to crunch down on various nerves/capillaries, particularly a problem after the neck has been weakened by an injury, over stretches the muscles that are weakened and just causes little reinjuries when done. Sitting for prolonged periods with an newly injured or chronic neck strain/sprain will allow swelling in areas of irritation and more pressure on nerves so regular shrugging of shoulders & gentle prescribed neck movements, getting up, walking around is usually recommended.

Don't know if you have this type of condition in your case but if you have a bulging cervical disk, you could have a chronic strain/sprain of the cervical spine. Paresthesias in the arms/head, dizziness/nausea, headaches & tinnitus are sometimes pretty common in a chronic strain/sprain aside from the neck pain, tightness and weakness. I hope you can get some relief with your treatment. It sounds like you have been pretty miserable with this. God bless and hugs.

I did some 'research' and I'm very nervous as this type of injury goes undiagnosed very often, and a few other seemingly unrelated symptoms I've been having of late may actually be related to this. I plan to see what the therapist says, I'm not sure even which vertebra/disk is affected.

I do change positions frequently, and I try not to overdo anything. The initial injury was 3-4 years ago, I've had numbness in my head since then, but only recently in the last few weeks it has become worse. I don't know if I did something to cause it to become worse or not, nothing I can put my finger on.

Originally Posted by Susan78

You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope all goes well for you. Susan

Thank you....

Originally Posted by RustysMom

Kathy, I am so sorry this has happened to you dear. You are so sweet to everyone, it is not fair!!!! Is there not a neck brace of some kind you can wear to take pressure off your neck?

Thanks for your kind words.... I'm afraid to try any kind of brace till I know more about what's going on and what the therapist says to do for it. From what I read, decompression of the spine is one treatment option (traction?) If they make me taller I'll have to rehem all my pants, lol.