Physical Therapy?

luv_freedom
luv_freedom Member Posts: 49
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I was wondering if anyone has had any PT done to help ease the tense muscles on your shoulder from a neck dissection? I was going to ask the doctor about it when I see him next week. Ibuprofen helps some but not that much. I use biofreeze a lot that helps some. But just sitting in the chair watching tv I can feel the muscles twitching and moving. My muscles around the lower neck and upper back are so sore 24/7.

 

Gary

Comments

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 617 Member
    #2
    PT

    Definitely give it a try. Stretching exercises were recommended for me after radiation, and I've found they really help. If you want some relief from now until you see a therapist, you can find directions and videos online. The one that loosens up my neck is a stretch that starts with turning the head to the side and then looking up. Do the other side; then forward, look down; and back, look up. Just remember to do them gently, so you don't hurt yourself. Stretch like a ballerina, not a ninja! ☺

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #3
    Worth a shot.

    It just wont help me because they will have to stop at some time, but my neck will always be like it is. You can learn what to do yourself and that will help you down the road. I do my own streaching all day long and also have to have a muscle relaxer evrey day, with on end in sight. It is just the "New Me", but with that I can turn my head and have at least 95% motion back.

    Bill

  • Sonja.K
    Sonja.K Member Posts: 80 Member
    #4
    Do it!

    The deep tissue massage and the exercises from the physical therapist are amazing.  I have full use of my arms and neck muscles.   I can definitely tell when I skip my exercises,  especially when I am driving.  I went once a week for my first year, the only reason I stopped is that my doctor appointments went from every month to three months and it feels great to not have to go to the Cancer Clinic.  Happy Holidays!   

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #5
    Sonja.K said:

    Do it!

    The deep tissue massage and the exercises from the physical therapist are amazing.  I have full use of my arms and neck muscles.   I can definitely tell when I skip my exercises,  especially when I am driving.  I went once a week for my first year, the only reason I stopped is that my doctor appointments went from every month to three months and it feels great to not have to go to the Cancer Clinic.  Happy Holidays!   

    Yes

    no regrets only took a couple of sessions

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
    Now that I've had my neck dissection for

    two weeks, I know EXACTLY which muscle you're talking about....man, it gets tired so easily!  Burning, stabbing, cramping....if I lay down for a bit, it relaxes, but if I'm standing/walking/doing things for a long while it gets miserable.  I wonder about massage?  Actually, tonight it had me going good enough the word Botox slid though my mind.

    p

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #7
    Yoga is the answer

    Physical therapy will help and they can teach you some exercises and it will be benificial. For the long term you need a routine practice and nothing fits the bill better than yoga. I recommend a gentle pratice with neck and spinal twists as well as facial relaxation. "The gift of yoga " is one of the best dvd's out there. Very well produced and works the areas we need. Cost only a couple of bucks on Amazon, give it a shot. All the best!

  • luv_freedom
    luv_freedom Member Posts: 49
    #8
    phrannie51 said:

    Now that I've had my neck dissection for

    two weeks, I know EXACTLY which muscle you're talking about....man, it gets tired so easily!  Burning, stabbing, cramping....if I lay down for a bit, it relaxes, but if I'm standing/walking/doing things for a long while it gets miserable.  I wonder about massage?  Actually, tonight it had me going good enough the word Botox slid though my mind.

    p

    That is funny because I've thought the same thing wondering about botox for my ear! My ear is constantly burning and itching. I am rubbing it all the time. The funny thing or maybe frustrating would be a better choice of words is that the whole time I'm rubbing my ear, it never stops itching. The more I rub it and scratch at it, the more it itches. I finally just have to leave it alone until it starts to flare up again. Drives me crazy! And when I go outside in the cold OMG! I wear a stocking hat even inside at work a lot anymore lol.

    Gary

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #9
    Just got on board with PT...

    After getting tired of the moaning and groaning...I took matters into my own hands and asked the doctor for a PT referral for my husband. So he started last week and learned some simple stretching exercises. We'll see how it goes. I am hoping that the PT also considers some ultrasound and some deep tissue massage. While my husband didn't have a neck dissection, I think the radiation, and all those upright nights in the recliner did a number on his neck muscles. And staying up studying in a chair for licensure boards 10 hours a day can't be helping either!

     

    Barbara

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #10
    ratface said:

    Yoga is the answer

    Physical therapy will help and they can teach you some exercises and it will be benificial. For the long term you need a routine practice and nothing fits the bill better than yoga. I recommend a gentle pratice with neck and spinal twists as well as facial relaxation. "The gift of yoga " is one of the best dvd's out there. Very well produced and works the areas we need. Cost only a couple of bucks on Amazon, give it a shot. All the best!

    That's good to know.

    I will have to look for that one. It's a matter of discipline, finding and making the time to do the exercises consistently.

     

    Barbara

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