I’ve just graduated from Physical Therapy for my neck. I hadn’t planned on having PT after this particular operation, as my internet research seemed to indicate it was not a normal progression of healing with neck vertebrae fusion. But I had one bundle of muscles at the very base of my skull that just refused to relax. After all, they had been in spasms for years now, and were very happy continuing to cause me pain.
So my surgeon suggested PT. When I started, it was all I could do to get 20 pulls on the weakest yellow Theraband tubing. By the time I graduated this week I could do 40 pulls on the green tubing (red had gotten too easy). Of course I have to rest in between sets of 10 to give my muscles a chance to recover, but I was pleased with the improvement. They spent about 15 minutes of each session doing some rigorous massaging on my neck, trying to release the muscles. I even had one acupuncture session.
The last day’s massage did not hurt as much as the others had, so hopefully that spasm is beginning to release.
I have not been on any muscle relaxers now for about two weeks. I do get pretty uncomfortable in the late afternoon, but the new prescription was giving me problems, so I quit taking it. It’s ironic that Medicare made me stop using Methacarbamol, because “it would make me sleepy and at my age that increased the danger of falling”. HAH! The new one that’s supposed to be safe for me almost makes me Narcoleptic!!! I drop off to sleep out of nowhere when I try to use it. Will certainly be getting that prescription changed when I see my Primary next month.
Pain Level Better
I can’t complain about my pain level, as it’s SO much less than I had dealt with for years. By comparison this is like having a mosquito bite instead of being covered in huge poison ivy blisters!
Now I just have to be disciplined to continue exercising at home. We have plenty of Theraband lengths in all the colors, as well as weights from one pound and up. I had just started using two pound weights for a few PT exercises. I won’t be scared to do stuff now that I have been able to do supervised exercises.
I’m very thankful for my improvement and praise God for my bone and muscle healing.