Tight neck, dizziness

[mecconn]

A little less than 4 months since surgery. I seem to be doing better, but my neck muscles are extremely tight causing headaches in the back of my head and dizziness because my SCMs are pulling on my ears, causing ear popping and itchy tickling feelings in my ear. I'm taking muscle relaxants and doing PT. Does anybody else have this? I feel good other than that. My doctor says one day they will just release and I'll be fine. Sitting at the computer sure doesn't help I'm sure. Your insight would be appreciated.

As another note, which I thought was interesting is that a professional baseball player here in the US was having an artificial disc put in this past week. To me, it is a good sign that they are doing this for a high level athlete. Gives me a good feeling that it is becoming obvious that ADR is the way to go and gives me confidence in it.

[sahuaro]

I am 6 months out and only recently realized that the back of my head is no longer tender when I get a massage. I didn't experience the dizziness and ear popping but I'm wondering if you've ruled out a sinus infection and/or ear infections and/or allergies--all of which do cause those symptoms for me. Have you tried massage and heat packs for the tight muscles? A cervical tempurpedic pillow might also help. Does your PT have any suggestions?

[mecconn]

I've been to an ENT and my GP and they both say I don't have a sinus infection or an ear infection. When my PT gives me a massage my ear pops like crazy. She says my SCM and scalenes are tight. My Neuro, who did the surgery says my neck will one day just loosen up. Getting frustrating. I'm almost positive it's neck muscle tension, when I tuck my chin to my chest my back of neck muscles are extremely tight and gives me a headache. I can actually feel the muscles in my neck pulling on my ear sometimes.

[ZorroSF]

I had facet injections C3-C6 and boy did it hurt like hell the first day. I couldn't even move my neck. The muscles locked up and i was in worse pain than when I went in.

Here's your road to relief. It's called rolfing and discusses soft tissue relief. When your muscles lock up for a long period of time the outer clear tissue tissue surrounding the muscles begins to adhese to the muscle itself causing scarring and prevents range of motion.

http://www.rolf.org/

here's an amazing book about rolfing.

The Endless Web: Fascial Anatomy and Physical Reality

My PT lent it to me and it was worth the read. I used to think deep tissue massage would relieve a lot of my pain, but it was only half the required work to get me relief. Soft tissue release is extremely important, but very hard to find an expert in. Most PT's know it, but they don't master it leaving the patient without long term relief and empty pockets.

[sahuaro]

meconn:
I just wanted to let you know that my massage therapist asked me today if I was having any headaches since the surgery--I said no but I mentioned your situation. He immediately recognized that the SCM muscles are involved and showed me where they are and how they work in neck movement. So, now that I know, the answer is yes, I did experience some of what you are feeling but not to the same extent and I can't tell you at one point those muscles relaxed. I do know that my massage therapist spends alot of time working on those muscles.

How are you doing now? Again, do you think massage in addition to PT would help?

[Sean]

Hi everyone I am a new member here. First of all I would like to Thank Richard for putting this incredible site together.
I have DDD in my L2-L3 and my L3-L4. All the surgeons I have seen here in Hawaii say I should have all 3 vertebra fused. After hours of searching online and talking to my primary doc. I definately don't want to be fused. I have notice hardly anyone talks about having a ADR on L-2 L-3. Most ADR are lower in the lumbar. Anyone out there have the L-2 L-3 done ? or two levels like I might have done L2-3 L3-4 .
Aloha Sean

[mecconn]

Sahuaro,
Thanks for your post. I did go for a trigger point massage last week. Boy, what it amazing. It's amazing how connected the body is. They pressed on my traps and felt tightening up the back of my head and when she released, felt shooting release down my right leg. She too said that my neck muscles are extremely tight and worked a lot on them. When she was done, I got up slowly but felt extremely off balance. It's got to be it. The only problem is I can't afford $100 a pop more than once a month. I would love to have it weekly but can't afford it. Why won't insurance get the picture with this stuff? It's all part of rehab in my opinion.

Sahuaro, How often do you get massage therapy? What exactly did your massage therapist say when you mentioned my condition? Thanks.

[ZorroSF]

insurance won't pay for massages because it's a chaotic industry that anyone can get a license for. Especially in big cities where they see massage licensing at a money maker.

[sahuaro]

Mecconn:
He didn't say anything more than I've already written--it was very instructive to have him press on the muscle while I was turning my head.
I'm glad the massage helped. I've been getting a weekly massage with this therapist since my MVA eight years ago--that sounds luxurious, but as you know, it can be painful (especially at first) and it has been so, so necessary to help me be functional through it all. I get a package deal by paying for 6 massages at a time--perhaps you can ask the therapist you saw if he can give you a similar discount. Massages are less expensive at massage therapy schools but I would be very, very afraid to let a student touch my neck.

BTW, I think some insurance policies do cover massage (not mine, of course). I do know that massage therapy schools are very intense; students have extensive instruction in anatomy including musculature, as one example. And licensing boards are getting stricter about requirements--it's the grandfathered therapists who may present a problem.

[annapurna]

Originally posted by ZorroSF:
insurance won't pay for massages because it's a chaotic industry that anyone can get a license for. Especially in big cities where they see massage licensing at a money maker.

Try going to a regular or at least a more regular doctor that offers massage as a side-light and may be able to get it paid as a part of regular therapy.