Goodness Laurie! what a year already! Bummer about your hand and am, I wish I had something in the form of a diagnosis for ya but unfortunately all I have is my sympathy and some get well soon vibes for you.
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I could really use some board magic! (long)
- Thread starter ldg
- Start Date
Sorry to hear you're not feeling great and I hope you feel better soon.
I had an instructor last quarter that had been a physical therapist for years. One of her patients was getting no better, so she recommended that she see a massage therapist. She was so impressed with the progress this patient with regular massages, she gave up physical therapy completely and became a massage therapist herself. She is one of the most respected in the region, and is very knowlegdeable. It is one of those things that will not hurt a condition that it will not help, and will at least be very relaxing.
Tons of good vibes coming you way
Hope you feel alot better soon!
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I'm sorry you are dealing with this
I pray that it gets better for you.
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Hi Laurie,
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I will send prayers for you to get better.
If you're looking for alternatives to surgery, please take a look at this site :Sorehand
It's mainly geared toward repetetive strain injuries, but RSI can pinch nerves anywhere from the neck down to the wrist, with symptoms occurring throughout the arms and hands. A lot of people on that mailing list are very knowledgeable about alternative therapies that may help you.
If you sign up for the mailing list you can send a question to the subscribers and also search the archives for helpful advice given to people in situations similar to yours. If you sign up, I'd recommend using a 'disposable' email like hotmail or yahoo that you can dedicate solely to the list.
My troubles are from RSI, so I can't help with the bone spur, but for me relaxation therapy and yoga have helped - if you go for yoga, make sure that you explain any limitations to the teacher so that he/she can modify your poses appropriately. I find that relaxation (meditation) can help to reduce pain quite effectively.
Massage can really help, though it's expensive...you may be able to get your Dr. to write a prescription if your insurance will cover it. I scrimped & paid out of pocket for mine, just because it helps so much.
These books may help too...they have carpal tunnel in the titles, but that's b/c it's the 'popular' (mis)diagnosis for many other hand, arm & neck trouble. This book outlines problems associated with pinched nerves, and offers home (and Dr.'s office) treatment options, and this book outlines stretches you can do at home. Sometimes muscle trigger points can cause nerve pain & problems in the arm too...this book does a great job of explaining it & guiding home treatment of trigger point related pain. My massage therapist told me about this book, and I'll be forever grateful.
I hope that the sorehand mailing list people's info or some of this other info might help you to get better, along with all of the board magic we can send.
*hugs*
*edit
I just reread your post, and realized I missed that you mentioned you have a compressed disc. You'll want to check w/ your doctor B4 doing any stretches - some may be contraindicated. Just a note - herniated discs can sometimes heal, depending on the severity. I certainly hope that yours will heal quickly.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I will send prayers for you to get better.
If you're looking for alternatives to surgery, please take a look at this site :Sorehand
It's mainly geared toward repetetive strain injuries, but RSI can pinch nerves anywhere from the neck down to the wrist, with symptoms occurring throughout the arms and hands. A lot of people on that mailing list are very knowledgeable about alternative therapies that may help you.
If you sign up for the mailing list you can send a question to the subscribers and also search the archives for helpful advice given to people in situations similar to yours. If you sign up, I'd recommend using a 'disposable' email like hotmail or yahoo that you can dedicate solely to the list.
My troubles are from RSI, so I can't help with the bone spur, but for me relaxation therapy and yoga have helped - if you go for yoga, make sure that you explain any limitations to the teacher so that he/she can modify your poses appropriately. I find that relaxation (meditation) can help to reduce pain quite effectively.
Massage can really help, though it's expensive...you may be able to get your Dr. to write a prescription if your insurance will cover it. I scrimped & paid out of pocket for mine, just because it helps so much.
These books may help too...they have carpal tunnel in the titles, but that's b/c it's the 'popular' (mis)diagnosis for many other hand, arm & neck trouble. This book outlines problems associated with pinched nerves, and offers home (and Dr.'s office) treatment options, and this book outlines stretches you can do at home. Sometimes muscle trigger points can cause nerve pain & problems in the arm too...this book does a great job of explaining it & guiding home treatment of trigger point related pain. My massage therapist told me about this book, and I'll be forever grateful.
I hope that the sorehand mailing list people's info or some of this other info might help you to get better, along with all of the board magic we can send.
*hugs*
*edit
I just reread your post, and realized I missed that you mentioned you have a compressed disc. You'll want to check w/ your doctor B4 doing any stretches - some may be contraindicated. Just a note - herniated discs can sometimes heal, depending on the severity. I certainly hope that yours will heal quickly.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #27
Tess, thanks so much for all the info! I am definitely going to look into the resources you've provided - no matter WHAT the issue, it sure can't hurt, LOL!
Renae - I am absolutely certain you are right. I always get realllllly sick just after very stressful periods in my life. I happens without fail. I missed my 10th high school reunion because of it (after my partner in business had a breakdown and left me in charge of everything before I really had enough experience to handle it all!). The problem is reorganizing our lives to create a space for problems like this. I guess the difference now is that it has become a real priority.
Christy - I would love to take T'ai Chi! But this type of class we really want to do locally, and there's only Tai Kwon Do or Chinese Kick-boxing around here. We're going to meet with the various instructurs and go forward based on the one we like the best.
Everyone - I cannot thank you enough for your good wishes! Acupuncture has worked for me in the past - and it in and of itself is incredibly relaxing, so maybe that will help too.
Renae - I am absolutely certain you are right. I always get realllllly sick just after very stressful periods in my life. I happens without fail. I missed my 10th high school reunion because of it (after my partner in business had a breakdown and left me in charge of everything before I really had enough experience to handle it all!). The problem is reorganizing our lives to create a space for problems like this. I guess the difference now is that it has become a real priority.
Christy - I would love to take T'ai Chi! But this type of class we really want to do locally, and there's only Tai Kwon Do or Chinese Kick-boxing around here. We're going to meet with the various instructurs and go forward based on the one we like the best.
Everyone - I cannot thank you enough for your good wishes! Acupuncture has worked for me in the past - and it in and of itself is incredibly relaxing, so maybe that will help too.
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A friend of mine had shingles. He went to see an acupuncturist and the pain of shingles cleared up almost immediatly!
Also, I had terrible pain in the muscles under my right shoulder. A massage therapist did massages, ultrasound therapy and nerve stimulation. The three things combined cleared up the shoulder pain.
Good luck to you! Sending some board magic your way!
Also, I had terrible pain in the muscles under my right shoulder. A massage therapist did massages, ultrasound therapy and nerve stimulation. The three things combined cleared up the shoulder pain.
Good luck to you! Sending some board magic your way!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #29
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
I really think it's working! Well - at least the Board Magic is if the acupuncture isn't!
I had my appointment Monday. Doc said the pain in my hand might get intense during the treatment. It did (which I didn't really believe would happen - I've had acupuncture before, though not for pain).
Anyway, he identified the problem as an inflamed nerve between my C5 and C6 disc (which was cool, because that matches up with the Western Medical Docs). Why - apparently no one knows.
BUT I've only been having 2 - 3 episodes of pain a day and almost none at night since then.
The only problem is that I don't know yet if the acupuncture's working or if it's the collar Gary bought for me. He bought one of those cervical collars for my neck and I've been using it since Sunday - at it seemed to be helping too. The acupuncturist suggested I use it for a week and then see. I was supposed to have another appointment this week, which we had to cancel because of the cold. Our pipes were frozen and we could not leave home with things like that. It takes us at least two hours to get into NYC and 1+ hours for the appointment and then at least 2 hours home. It was just too long. So I essentially have to start over again on Tuesday - but I had to jump in here to thank everyone who sent good wishes, because I am doing SO MUCH better than I was!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really think it's working! Well - at least the Board Magic is if the acupuncture isn't!
I had my appointment Monday. Doc said the pain in my hand might get intense during the treatment. It did (which I didn't really believe would happen - I've had acupuncture before, though not for pain).
Anyway, he identified the problem as an inflamed nerve between my C5 and C6 disc (which was cool, because that matches up with the Western Medical Docs). Why - apparently no one knows.
BUT I've only been having 2 - 3 episodes of pain a day and almost none at night since then.
The only problem is that I don't know yet if the acupuncture's working or if it's the collar Gary bought for me. He bought one of those cervical collars for my neck and I've been using it since Sunday - at it seemed to be helping too. The acupuncturist suggested I use it for a week and then see. I was supposed to have another appointment this week, which we had to cancel because of the cold. Our pipes were frozen and we could not leave home with things like that. It takes us at least two hours to get into NYC and 1+ hours for the appointment and then at least 2 hours home. It was just too long. So I essentially have to start over again on Tuesday - but I had to jump in here to thank everyone who sent good wishes, because I am doing SO MUCH better than I was!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Glad to hear you're better.
BTW, how do you find a good acupuncturist? I've been thinking about trying it, but want to find someone who really knows what he/she is doing.
still sending healing
BTW, how do you find a good acupuncturist? I've been thinking about trying it, but want to find someone who really knows what he/she is doing.
still sending healing
I'm sending out all of the positive vibes I have within me. I hope things ALL start to look up for you.
Oh Laurie! I am so sorry I missed this thread! I just now read it!! I am sending up a huge prayer that you will feel no pain at all anymore.
I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. I wish I had some advice for you, but I don't.
All I can do is pray and hope that it gets better. I love you.
Please keep us posted on how it is doing.
Laurie, I'm happy to hear that you're getting better. I'm still dishing out those positive vibes for you!
