How much damage can you do to your neck/vertebrae with no impact?

[RootSkier]

I am a wreck. I did some serious damage to my neck on Sunday while kayaking. It seems similar and/or related to a kayaking related whiplash type injury from several years ago. After that one, I went to the doctor to get some x-rays but got no diagnosis other than pulled muscles.

This time I did it while rolling in a big rapid. There was no impact, but I knew right away something was wrong. It hurts around C6-C7 and has had me completely laid up since Sunday. Yesterday, I had a 30 minute massage from a guy who seemed like he knew what he was doing and it brought some relief, but today it's worse than ever.

What could I have done in a twisting type motion that would wreck me so badly? Should I be looking at some more x-rays, or will that just set me back another few hundred bucks with zero diagnosis? I already have an appointment for another session with the bodywork guy, but that's not until Monday.

I have been medicating with hot showers, ibuprofen, and Flexoril. None of them really work.

[splat]

You need to find an ortho-bionomist.
A good one. Master/ Instructor level.
www.ortho-bionomy.org has a practitioner locator.
You'll never want another massage.
OB shames all that shit.
If you don't feel a bajillion times better, I'll pay for the session.

[Neurodoc]

It's extremely difficult to diagnose or treat someone over the internet. Standard disclaimer that this does not substitute for an in-person medical evaluation, etc. etc.

That said, based on your story, my concern is that you may have a cervical vertebral fracture. Is it likely? Probably not. Is it potentially devastating? It could be.

Does your neck pain shoot down into your arms? Do you feel numbness or weakness in your arms or your legs? Any changes in bowel or bladder control? Any difficulty walking or staying balanced? These are all signs that your problem may be more than just muscular (and the above isn't an exhaustive list).

If you were a friend or family member of mine who called me up with a history of trauma-associated severe neck pain, I'd tell you to get to the ER immediately. Even if it's an expensive evaluation and you wind up with a diagnosis of muscle strain...well, it's a lot easier to earn more money than live with a cervical spinal cord injury. Why take that risk? I'm just saying.

Bottom line - there are lots of things you can let slide in life. I'd say a neck injury isn't one of them. Get it checked out and take care of yourself. PM me if you have any more questions.

...

On an unrelated topic, this is my first post at TGR. Do feel free to JONG me.

[splat]

If you can hang with the crowd, Doc, I say 'Welcome Aboard.'
I have a habit of seeking my cures on the natch. I've thrashed my neck a bunch of times and always end up in the hands of people that have the touch. But I totally agree with your recommend, cause I've seen people with xrays of their broken neck stroll into a chiropractors office and tell the chiro to fix their neck.
Jesse - your spine houses a major chunk of your nervous system. If an image can be had, it's all the more information to work with.

I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn, but I am whacked out on vicodin at the moment.

JONG!

[Neurodoc]

...

...but I am whacked out on vicodin at the moment.

RS - that reminds me... I meant to say, at the very least, the ER should be able to give you something for your pain that's more effective than Flexeril.

...

Thanks for the JONG, splat.

[AsheanMT]

Go see Guy Bodfish over by the mall. He's got an ad in the back of the Independent. You can prolly just use the phone book too. He's a talanted mofo. Some Mr. Miagi shit I tells ya.

[RootSkier]

I had X-rays taken yesterday...no fractures. Just some stiff ass muscles that are pulling my neck too straight, according to my doc.

Percocet, Robaxin, and some super anti-inflammatory that I am not going to get off the couch to figure out the name of...anyways, I'm feeling A LOT better today.

edit: splat, this is the guy I am seeing: http://www.corebodywork.com/about.htm

[splat]

Dude, he sounds good. I've been to every kind of bodyworker there is and Ortho Bionomy is the one. Massage techniques tend to give me immediate, but short-term relief. OB gives me tremendous, long-lasting relief. Backs and necks are what OB is really all about, but the technique addresses an absolute shitton of maladies. I know a few doctors and surgeons that don't understand it, other than it being a positional release system, but get sessions on a regular basis. I have been trying to get other people to try it because I'm looking for testimonials for a story I want to write about it.

So far, I've gotten AKA and Punani to give it a whirl. Both were healed in one session.

[bmg97]

Hey man sorry to hear about your problem. I am at the end of some major neck problems myself. Mine started when I looked up the stairs when I was going to smoke a butt. heard a tiny cracking sound in my neck and that was it. Went for an MRI and it turns out I have a slipped C4 through C7. I have been going to PT for the past month and a half. Some days I felt like I was going to be fine and the next day I thought I would die. I had some migraines mixed in there too. My advise is rest and PT. Be careful who gives you a massage. I heard that they can be dangerous if the person does not know the extent of your injury or have any knowledge of working with someone in your condition. Mostly just rest is the best cure. Every time I thought I was getting better and started doing the normal chores I was in hell the next day. If you have a slippage it is probably your nerve endings going crazy and giving you that pain. I was on Amrix for that and Valium. Valium helps keep you relaxed so you don't get the muscle spasms. Muscle spasms fucking create havoc !!! It helped a bit but time is the best cure. Best of luck man !

[2FUNKY]

[QUOTE=splat;1918182cause I've seen people with xrays of their broken neck stroll into a chiropractors office and tell the chiro to fix their neck.
[/QUOTE]
Any reputable Chiro. or Doctor of Medicine would not touch their neck without further Xrays. What ever you do, do not go see a doctor whos specialty is the spine. ie Chiropractor.

[splat]

God knows I've spent close to fifty thousand of dollars on chiro visits over the last twenty years and I now avoid them like the plague. I was sitting in a chiros office one day when this old guy and his wife walked in with Xrays in hand and said they wanted the chiro to fix his broken neck. The receptionist is like "he ain't gonna touch your neck, it's broken" Just an indication of what people think these guys can do. And it's bullshit. Chiros tend to kill people with neck adjustments periodically.

My last issue with chiros might have actually contributed to my knee injury.

Almost two years ago, I went to one and he asked me what hurt and I said my knees felt funky. He said he could adjust them, then placed my foot between his bent legs and snapped his legs straight. Totally fukked my knees up. I was afraid to ski for five months. They just felt fucked. I went back and reamed the chiro for being a fucking dickhead with that adjustment and fukking my skiing knees.

His answer: "Well, I'll give you your next visit free."
Me: "Fuck You!"

[2FUNKY]

. Chiros tend to kill people with neck adjustments periodically.
"

Are you freaking kidding me. Where did you hear such crap! Deaths related to Chiropractic adjustments are less than 1 in 1 million versus surgical and/or prescription related deaths that have now reached upwards of 1 in 22 cases. NSAID related death cases are as high as 1 in 5. As with any doctor you must first educate yourself and make informed decisions. Sucks about what that one quack did to your knee. You have a 500% higher chance of dying during your new knee surgery than by a chiropractor. No am not saying a Chiropractor can mend a torn ligament. I knew this would get criticism but doctors kill way more people and fuck up way more often but people just keep walking into their offices and taking what they say or do as gospel. Say and think what you will,
I am out. Peace.

[splat]

No, I'm not kidding you. A former chiro I used to go to killed a guy.
I just read in the paper about another case.
Sorry if that hits too close to the bone for you.

And I certainly won't dispute your numbers re: MDs.
Life is dangerous. You can die and others can kill you.
Especially when it comes to invasive surgery and drugs.
Or hookers, blow, cars, guns, etc,etc, etc....

[bmg97]

So how does someone get better ? I mean after all the arguing it won't be safe to do anything or use anyone. My chiropractor is great. I went to him with my MRI results and he still wouldn't touch me until he took his own X-Rays. Next time your knee hurts trying going to a knee specialist instead of the chiropractor. Not sure how you could bash chiropractors when it was your fault for going to a chiropractor for your knee. Where do you go get your eyes checked ? The ear doctor ??

[splat]

Turn on the light, I can't hear you.

I didn't say I went to the chiro to specifically to adjust my knees. He asked me how I felt and I mentioned my knees, he offered to adjust them and, in me having good faith in the guy, he fucked me up.

I'm really happy you love your chiropractor. Best o' luck with that. I won't even say you have a dick attitude because you make enough assumptions for the both of us.

The best chiropractor I ever had walked away from it to practice OrthoBionomy.

[bmg97]

Hey, I don't mean to get you all wet. Your post just comes off like you are damning all chiropractors.

[splat]

After 20 years of chiropractics, I found things that work better.
I'm off to get a session of orthobionomy and I get wet about that.

[bmg97]

After 20 years of chiropractics, I found things that work better.
I'm off to get a session of orthobionomy and I get wet about that.

Haaa !! I had to laugh at that(get wet). As long as it works for you.