I was attending an unnamed chiropractor earlier this year twice weekly – $40/session/5 minute alignment – but have found that since ceasing what I interpreted as quite costly care that my neck pain has gotten much worse. I find I am cracking my neck several times a day in an attempt to ease the stiffness and pain.
Has anyone had experience in Canberra with alternative therapies or massage? I am an office worker and have definitely found that sitting in front of a computer all day has exacerbated the problem however I can’t do much to change these circumstances. At only 21 I am quite concerned that this may develop into a long term issue and would love to get this fixed soon.
Any suggestions for practitioners or advice are welcome 🙂
Loading ...
What’s Your opinion?
Where can I get someone to fix my achey neck for good?
Cervical manipulation is cervical manipulation, regardless of who performs it. Most of the literature (and my anecdotal evidence) points towards chiropractors as the main perpetrators (unsurprisingly, given that they likely perform it the most, statistically speaking), although others (including physios, doctors, homeopaths etc) have also been documented as causing the same injury via the same mechanism.
How about an Osteopath, Gun Street Girl? Have you seen similar injuries as result of their neck manipulations?
I’ve never admitted or cared for a vertebral artery dissection who’s sustained the injury from the hairdresser’s washing sink (although yes, agreed – the mechanism would theoretically put you at risk). The same can’t be said for chiropractor neck manipulation patients.
gun street girl said :
grunge_hippy said :
That being said, you might enjoy the vertebral artery dissection you’re putting yourself at risk of, too.
Neck manipulation – just don’t consent to it. The hospital is already full enough.
I find that osteopaths are also excellent. I would recommend mine but they are not taking new patients, too busy.
I used to go to a chiro, and occasionally still do when i cant into the osteo, but like someone has mentioned, they dont fix the problem long term… but i am a saddist, I like the cracking!
Oh, and do NOT go to chiropractors. They don’t actually fix the problem that caused the issue, they just fiddle around the edges, ease it for a while, and then it comes back and they do it all again. Physios are so much better for musculoskeletal things.
And WRT the computer, try changing the screen’s position. put it up, put it down. Keep fiddling until suddenly, the problem eases. Telephone books are good for this. Or annual reports.
Crap necks suck, don’t they? Mine’s a lot better since my physio, while treating me for a knee thing, took an interest in my headaches and diagnosed it as being caused by… pillows. And she was right.
Low hard pillows = head/neck spent the night fighting the pillow. = frozen shoulder/neck, and headaches. Tried big puffy pillows, big improvement (thanks Ikea for all the feather/down pillows) but the best thing I found was Wal-mart memory foam pillows with a neck bulge. Cost all of 12 bucks. I’d buy them and leave them in the US each year, but last time I flattened it with one of those luggage-bag things where you push all the air out, made it flat and brought it home. Love it.
So, a physio is the go. Mine specialised in musicians’ injuries, and her name is Ackerman.
A couple of years ago (when I was 21 too!) I had recurring neck pain just like you. Things like massage will only stop the pain temporarily – if you want to fix this for good, you need to work on strengthening your muscles, and using them the right way. The ergo check from your OH&S rep is a great idea, but I’d recommend also seeing a physio who can not only relieve the pain, but show you what you need to do to stop it coming back.
I can highly recommend all the physios at Capital Clinic Physiotherapy in Civic – I had about 5 sessions with Rob Erikson back when my neck was really bad, and have had very few problems since. I’ve also found pilates (in a class taken by another one of their physios) has worked wonders on making sure things stay all well!
The physio at Kaleen has fixed my neck for good. It only took about 6 sessions, and he gave me some exercises to do to stop the pain re-occuring. Adrian Rouline is his name. Highly recommended.
1: as mentioned get an OH&S assessment done for your desk and chair. make sure you do what they say. If you have arm rests on your chair, lose them, they just push your shoulders up.
2: stretch and exercise. For stretches a phsyio, chiro or soft tissue therapist should be able to provide the right ones.
3: regular visits to therapist type of your choice. Not all types suit all people. Me, I would never go to a chiro, and rarely to a physio, much prefer soft tissue. However some people need chiro, or phsyio. Just remember having treatment isn’t going to help much if you don’t stretch and then go back and sit in a bad position.
I go occasionally to Om Shanti in Griffith for a massage (which reminds me that I need to book in next week). You can reduce the cost in two ways. One is to get a massage by a student, which is at a reduced price. The other is the student practice clinic. I reckon massage works for me. Call 6295 2323 to book.
See The Canberra Complementary Health Practice in Hawker, if you are on the northside, some soft tissue therapy with exercise will help you manage your neck…
Stop cracking it and excercise at your desk. Your shouldn’t get a sore neck at work if you’re set up properly so get an ergonomic check with your OH&S rep at work and you’ll find it will make the world of difference.
I used to do ergo checks at my work and was amazed that people would complain of sore necks and backs but then I’d find them treating their work desk as lounge furniture… not that I’m saying you’re doing that but at 21 you may not have been shown how to adjust your surrounds to fit your body rather then adjusting your body to fit your surrounds.
I get neck pain and unless you have an injury or condition, its just inflamation and muscle problems. A good couple days of rest, exercise, massage and no more cracking.
1. find a friend to massage the muscles, if ur 21 even i may help you lol
2. try not to crack it anymore, get some exercise, eat a filling meal
3. Take some Valerium root and maybe a glass of wine then have a restful sleep.
4. Be careful not to make any mistakes while sleeping (this is important)