← Return to Excruciating chronic left side neck pain plus lumbar issues

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@jenniferhunter

@ab6540183 @jm1 The work that my physical therapists does on me that helps a lot is myofascial release. This is like massage therapy, but the therapist holds a shearing pressure with their hands and just waits for the tissue to unwind. This is gentle and would not be exercises. I checked the official myofascial release website and only saw one person in Australia, but nowhere near you, so I just searched, and came up with some websites. They describe it correctly, so hopefully, they know how to do this. The key is it must be gentle, so as not to cause a tear in the fascia and create more scar tissue.

https://www.mmrm.com.au/fascial-release/https://www.tensionrelease.com.au/services/myofascial-release/

You can learn more about MFR therapy from our discussion on Connect.

MFR — Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/.

I did this a lot before my spine surgery, and it made my muscles more supple, so it was easier for the surgeon to retract during surgery. After my cervical fusion, I had to wait about 4 months before I could do this again. It also helps release tight painful surgical scar tissue.

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Replies to "@ab6540183 @jm1 The work that my physical therapists does on me that helps a lot is..."

Thank Jennifer.

Unfortunately we are so behind in Australia.

Last night I was sore therefore I did a gentle stretch by going down on my knees and elbows with my head downwards for about 2 minutes.

I wish I didn't do it because this increased my pain a lot, I feel more pain in the left side of the neck and also going down the top of thoracic spine.

I didn't think this would make me worse.

I wrote this email to my pain management doctor this morning:
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Hi Harry,

Sorry to bother you with these emails.

In the last few days I have terrible constipation possibly due to the medication, I feel nausea, unable to eat because feeling full. Also having gut pain.

The left side of my neck is very sore, some tingling, deep pain down the bottom of the neck and going further down the spine on the left. Seems that the side the had cortisone in the facet joints is hurting quite a bit.

Time is passing and I struggle to get up due to the lumbar issues and walking is unsteady due to the upper area of my right buttock being very painful.

Going down hill. Every move or bending that I do can aggravate the condition.

I am also getting referred pain to my shoulders, arms, left hand palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger and little finger on and off.

Best regards
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I am feeling very frustrated and loosing hope of any improvement just with medication. I am not receiving any physical therapy from these neurosurgeon group. The Transport accident insurer won't pay for PT because they say that it hasn't helped in the past when I had the accident.