Neck tension

[MissDaisynou]

Hello, I've been dealing with neck pain for about 10 years now and nothing seems to help. I saw a chiro, osteo, PT, etc. They chiro says I have cervical facet syndrome but nothing makes it better. I am just super tight in my neck and shoulders. It gives me horrible headaches. I feel like my muscles are always contracting. Any of you experience this before? Im so desperate

[Kimba22]

Hi MissDaisynou,

Sorry you are suffering with neck pain. Spasticity sometimes affects my neck (in addition to other places), and I've had some luck with Baclofen. Not sure if this has anything to do with your issue, but might be worth asking your neurologist about? http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sym...oms/Spasticity

Good luck.

[Temagami]

Might be worth trying a hand held TENS machine.

[jreagan70]

Hi MissDaisynou:

When you say that nothing works, what have you not tried yet?

Have you tried facet injections? Have you had cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy? Did your orthopedic doc say you might be a candidate for surgery?

Have you been evaluated to see how much your muscles actually are spasming and whether you might be a candidate for botox injections for spasticity (this is beyond the effects of facet syndrome)?

Botox is effective for some types of headaches. Have you investigated whether botox might help your headaches?

Have you been to a pain management specialist?

There may still be options available for you. I hope you can find some relief.

[MissDaisynou]

Thank you for your replies. Just talking about it makes me feel less alone.

I just got a TENS machine but even if I put it on the lowest setting my muscles jump like crazy in my neck. I'll give it another try.

I will talk to my neuro about Baclofen, I don't think he ever mentionned it.

I never heard of Botox for my neck, I will discuss it with him. Sometimes I feel like they are not really taking my neck pain seriously... Thank you all so much for your support. I gave him a call last night and am waiting for a call back.

[ldwestmo]

Baclofen and neck stretches

I also have neck tension which I believe is spacisity from MS. I went to physical therapy last year and it helped A LOT, but it can still be a major problem for me especially if I work on the computer more than a couple of days a week. I currently have a part-time job but do have some 40 hour weeks which are really hard on me.

I learned some neck stretching exercises while going to PT and I do them EVERY MORNING in the shower. If I forget - I usually know it by noon. I also take Baclofen which helps. I can take 3 times a day but usually take 1 in the morning and maybe 1 more late in the afternoon or when I go to bed.

I hope you can find some relief soon. It's very irritating to be in this type of pain - especially when it causes headaches.

[MissDaisynou]

Hello!! Thank you for your tips! I think I will make an appointment for PT. I would love to know some exercices and stretches for my neck. I think it would help me a lot since I feel it's all very tight up there. My doctor prescribed me some medication yesterday also. I will start them soon. Im sorry you also have these kinds if pain, it can get VERY frustrating!!! I hope you get better too and thank you again for your help!

[VikingKitty]

Does your chiro also staff a massage therapist? Massage seem to help my neck. I had 3 different head/neck traumas that leave my neck prone to stiffness and pain. I also seem to hold tension in that area too.

Also, I have lesions in the C1/C2 and C5/C6 area which I'm sure contributes somehow to my neck dysfunction.

I'm so "paranoid" about having something aggravate my neck pain that I always say "be careful" to my husband when he hugs me....I know it can annoy him but as you know neck pain is a pain in the neck!!