The following is my own story of Neck Pain, after I had a bad fall outside my home.
It details the arduous journey I had to go on – even though I’m a Chiropractor!
In This Article:
A Simple Accident Started My Neck Problems
My story began in February 2019. I was going to work one frosty morning in Dublin. I had just closed my front door and made my way to the car like I do every other morning. The next thing I realised I was lying on my back!
As quick as a flash I was lying supine on the street. A little winded but mainly embarrassed as my neighbour was also on the way to work. I got up, brushed myself off and continued to work. No problem although a little shook up I didn’t experience any major neck pain or back pain for the rest of the day and weeks for that matter.
Delayed Pain From A Serious Neck Injury
My neck pain and stiffness began around 2 weeks after the fall. I started getting neck pain particularly at night. I never really had any headaches in the past but started developing pain behind my eye and side of my head. I had to keep working, and I assumed it was just a temporary strain – so I just took some painkillers and anti inflammatories. They worked really well – I had no problems for the next 2 weeks!
The only problem was that as soon as I stopped taking the pain-killers and anti-inflammatories, the pain came back. I had a Chronic Neck Pain Condition!
Assessing How Serious Neck Pain Is
Some people are surprised to learn that sometimes a Chiropractor will visit another Chiropractor – for a check-up, treatment or full consultation. We know that looking after our body is of the utmost importance so my next port of call was to the chiropractor.
She fully assessed me and recommended that I should get an x-ray and MRI scan. This didn’t show any damage but I was now experiencing right arm pain and numbness in my little finger. My GP recommended that I visit a physiotherapist – which I did. I completed 12 sessions with him – but really without much success.
My symptoms had now progressed to quite severe neck and arm pain and not being able to sleep more than three hours a night. It was impacting my ability to work, and I was still having to take pain-killers and anti-inflammatories!
Multiple Ways To Get Rid Of A Sore Neck
I decided to do another course of physiotherapy. The treatment included massage, manipulation, dry needling therapy, heat and ice. Frustratingly there was little improvement!
Eventually I ran out of patience, and I decided to seek consultation with a pain specialist. He told me I had suffered a whiplash type injury and had injured the nerve between my 5th cervical vertebrae. At last – a diagnosis! So I had two nerve pain steroid injections under anaesthetic but again, this was to no avail. The pain specialist had no further answers, and sent me back to my GP.
By February 2020 I had been living and working with this excruciating pain for a full year. Physically and mentally I was suffering with this persistent pain. I was sent for further MRI but again did not show any structural damage. This is a common finding in people who suffer whiplash. As you can imagine I was very frustrated at this. No gym, no golf and living in pain.
I decided to go back to my fellow Chiropractor – and asked if she can help me to devise a specific course of rehab based on massage, movement, stretching and strengthening my neck and upper back. Once we had put the exercise routine together, I worked with him regularly to ensure that things were going well, and that she approved of all the work I was doing.
This time round I gave it my full attention. Every day at 7am, I did my programme. She told me only to see her once every 2 weeks and it was up to me to stick with her exercise plan. So I did what I was told for 6 months only taking the odd painkiller.
Every Kit Contains A Brace:
How Could I Have Done Better Neck Rehab?
I think with any injury, it needs treatment quickly and thoroughly, and we need to move away from the fear of rehabilitation. I didn’t think it was such a difficult injury and so relied on painkillers for too long, and in the long run this added pain and slowed down my recovery.
My Sore Neck Improves – At Last
Through sticking with this plan I have managed to reduce my pain. I still have some but I’m getting better all the time. I think the moment that changed it for me was when I worked with my Chiropractor to self manage and follow the plan.
The hardest part for me was to stop fearing the injury and fear that exercise would make it worse.
She gave me control of my pain management and stopped me relying on constant treatment. I think psychologically this motivated me to get better. I’m not there yet but with injuries like whiplash, it’s a slow monotonous process.
I have also worked a lot on Improving my Posture while driving, which has me Walking Taller with Increased Confidence!
