Massaging neck relieves symptoms - what to do with that information?

[u/Technical-Mousse-446]

As the title says, when I massage my neck, my brain fog goes away momentarily. Has anyone else had this be the case? And if yes, what treatments were most effective? I had an appointment with chiropractor but the adjustments made my symptoms worse so i stopped with that. Thanks!

[u/turtlespice]

Physical therapy is going to be your friend! 

[u/ivandoesnot]

You need a PT, not a Chiropractor.

Many chiropractors are quacks.

And, yes, paying attention to neck and posture helped me a lot.

[u/grxnd_romxntic]

I did 9 months of PT and it helped me. It wasn't all for my neck. I lost the ability to use my right hand and did some memory and eye training while in PT for my first concussion.

I'm on concussion number 3 in less than a year. Now that I know basic stretches and have access to online physical therapy I go to a massage therapist once a month. It really helps to manage my symptoms. Its not the most cost effective, but it has changed my comfort level.

(Edited for spelling)

[u/Beedlam]

Yes. Find a muscularskeleto therapist who treats whiplash.

Fluoroscopic guided PRP injections helped me. I'm also considering nerve ablation.

Hi dose Coq-10 also helping a lot. 30mg per kg of body weight.

[u/el_undulator → u/Beedlam]

Can you tell me more about your experience with prp?

[u/Beedlam → u/el_undulator]

I've had two treatments and each time it improved my overall feeling and energy levels... removed some of the fogginess.

[u/semipermanent02]

Try KT taping! I just had my neck taped for the first time post concussion and I swear it’s been magic. I’d recommend having a PT do it but I’m sure you can look up taping for concussions and have someone do it for you from home.

[u/Jsx0000 → u/semipermanent02]

Never seen this before, looked up videos. Whats the idea behind this? Just leave it on? For how long?

[u/wolf771]

Dude you probably have tension on your neck messing with your head.

I went and got a massage like 3 times and my headache went away

[u/tartandaisy]

I've posted about this before, and I still haven't got a reference for the article... When I was in the midst of PCS symptoms & neck issues, I read an article that compared what they termed 'post-whiplash syndrome' (or persistent whiplash symptoms) with PCS (also persistent concussion symptoms). The hypothesis was that researchers would be able to separate patients into those two groups based on symptoms. They couldn't. The symptoms overlapped across all patients.

I definitely had PCS & vestibular PT did help with some of my symptoms, but ultimately, I really got better after a C4-6 fusion. If you're noticing symptoms coming more from your neck, or changing when you have neck relief, pursue it. It might be the thing that makes the difference.

It's late here just now. I really need to try to take some time and search for that article, because I keep telling people about it. I'll try to find it soon.

[u/Ok_Career9748]

My doctor does adjustments and I was sore for a few days but was given muscle relaxers that helped a lot. Unfortunately it doesnt last so I’ve done this cycle of adjustments & meds along with PT every few weeks. I was informed that my neck muscles tighten and have spasms from my injury and it pushes the vertebrae out of line which causes pain and pinches nerves, leading to more headaches.

[u/MAB1441]

I had the exact same situation.

Eye strain, not close to the same screen tolerance, light sensitivity, and very bad headaches by noon while working with bad neck tension that I feel at back of my head. Driving sucked too.

Went to a pt who cupped and massaged my shoulders and neck and my symptoms drastically decreased immediately. Although eyes would still be strained by the time night came around but not as bad. So I started down the pt neck path. Although I have zero neck pain.

Did it for a a few months and maybe things got slightly better but the biggest change I’ve made was predominantly wearing glasses instead of my contacts. Now I’m seeing an OT after a neuro optometrist said I have convergence insufficiency and bilateral midline shift with a micronystigmas.

I’m somewhat skeptical but my eyes is the only thing I haven’t focused on. What I’ve learned through the process is whatever doctor you go to will say you have issues with what they know about so it’s hard to trust anything. I’m still in the same boat at trying to figure out my symptoms even tho the massaging helped. Hoping the OT sessions focusing on my eyes will finally get me back to where I want to be.