Monday, October 30, 2006

One Click Too Far (Neck)



do you click your neck? does your neck click on its own with very little help? mine tends to click quite a bit. i used to visit the osteopath a lot more and he would vigorously twist my head one way and then the other. this twisting motion would always be accompanies by loud clicks. the trick is to let yourself be completely relaxed and put your faith in the osteopath, as he twists your noggin like an edison screw bulb. some people can't relax and clam up, tightening their neck muscles which is counterproductive.

last week a return visit to the osteo was necessary. as well as the usual fibro related pains, my neck had obviously clicked too far. it felt like something structural rather than nerve related is the best way i can put it. on the massage table he clicked my neck as before but didn't quite get it. i found it amazing the way the clicker could tell as well as the clickee, that it hadn't gone far enough. in action movies many foes are dispatched with a deft spin of the head; this is like a more gentle form of that.

more gentle massage at the base of my skull, and top of my neck followed in order to relax the muscles, but they didn't seem to want to relax as they have done so many times in the past. so with my head in his hands the osteo pulled that old 'pull off the sticking plaster' trick which parents do to their kids to stop them squealing in pain.
i'll pull off the plaster on the count of 3. one...*pulls plaster*

this wasn't verbalised in any way, neither was there a count. just a momentary pause and then a very swift snap of my neck, and it felt more loose. i was surprised at how quick this wrench was. he then repeated on the other side.

things get worse before they get better, it's an old saying and probably true. the neck was tender for the next few days before easing up a little. i might need a follow up appointment. even he was a little surprised that i've had these problems for so long (sigh, and still so young). most people tend to start to get better. a chiropractor i saw before, actively wanted you to come back over and over again. this osteo on the other hand wants you fixed and out the door, only to come back if you feel you need it. he did a stellar job on Bulbbgirl and she has never needed to go back. have you ever visited the osteopath and heard you bones crunch?

3 comments:

Vicious Summer said...

I havn't been to the chiropractor in quite a while, but I did get a deep tissue massage on Saturday and this chick was NOT messing around. I have finger bruises at the base of my skull and upper back. Other then that, I do feel a bit better...16 hours a day in front of the computer for the last month really did a number on my neck...

BTW, awesome picture...haha

Monks said...

funny...i have heard that chiropractors (i think we call osteo's chiropractors in the u.s. ) are addictive...kinda like, once you start using them, you'll always need to see them to feel right. It sounds like this is what your hinting at with bulbgirl never needing to go back...did you hear this too, is that why you said it?

either way, i crack my own neck all of the time; i am hoping since doctors get paid for it, I won't get arthritis of the neck by the time i am 50.

Also; Valium (doctor prescribed of course) does an unbelievable job on aching necks, backs, toes etc....

Bulbboy said...

I think Chiropractors just pop bones, while Osteopaths are more for muscles & bones.
The osteo is much better IMHO, like a chiropractor with knobs on. :)

The chiropractors I saw seemed to be a bit cultish, getting you to sign up for 10 or 20 treatments in advance. A little unethical, methinks. Sometimes you will chuck money at anyone to take your pain away. Also my ribs started to pop out after seeing the chiro, he didn't seem to think it a big deal, but they never popped out BEFORE going to see him.

Valium..hmmm...not so sure about that one. =P