by Steve » Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:24 am
Sure,
I will share what I am doing under a doctor's care. I am not recommending that anyone do these unless their doctor agrees that this type of thing would be helpful or at least not hurtful.
Others on this board, including Burgess, use a book called Pain Free: A Revolutionary Method for Stopping Chronic Pain, by Pete Egoscue to great effect. I have the book and it provides relief from all sorts of pain. You might read Mr. Egoscue's book which is a self help thing. He also has some clinics around the country if you are not up to doing things on your own. There is real wisdom and great ideas in the book. But I use a chiropractor for now.
The chiropractor was able to realign somethings called the Atlas, Axis and or Ajax, sorry for not remembering exactly. Then she wanted me to do some gentle stretches to strengthen my neck muscles. I think the idea is that the whiplash stretched some ligaments or something which used to keep my head in the correct position.
So I recommend that you see a chiropractor before starting these stretches. And make sure these stretches are appropriate and not hurtful. I was told not to do this if in anyway I feel pain or resistance. It should be a gentle stretch. I am not trying to adjust anything. if my neck is "out" the stretches hurt and I need to stop the stretches for a while until I get adjusted. The problem is that I forget to be regular about doing the stretches. I think if I was consistent I could go much longer without the need for visiting the Chiropartor.
That said. If everything is working correctly, I stand up straight, feet about shoulder width apart. I reach over my head with my right hand, elbow in line with my my shoulder and place the tips of my finders of my right hand near the top of my head on left side. I gently pull my head slightly and to the right ten times. I let the head recover to up right each time I press by removing pressure on my fingers, although I leave the fingers in place. I then reverse things and use my left hand to pull my head to the left side ten times.
Next I place the finder tips of both hands on the top of my forehead and push lightly press my head backwards 10 times. I let the head recover to up right each time I press by removing pressure on my fingers, although I leave the fingers in place. Finally, I put the fingertips behind my head near the top and gently push my head forward ten times. I let the head recover to up right each time I press by removing pressure on my fingers, although I leave the fingers in place.
I repeat the sequence 3 times. The exercise takes a minute or two. I do this several times a day. Thanks for the reminder I will do these again as I have no neck pain now and I do not want it to return.
Steve