pain in the neck to the point of not being able to touch it

[Texas Chic]

I work on a lot of people in pain, and usually fix it. So far, if I cannot fix it, then it is broken and due for surgery.

This last time I worked on a woman who recently had c-section and is breastfeeding.
her neck was hurting so much that a slightest touch made her scream. She could not lie down at first. I didn't work on it, I worked pelvis and shoulders, and she could then lie down and turn around. But then, just touching her neck made her scream again, and that is highly weird. I referred her to a chiropractor and haven't heard back from her.
There was some family issues going on, I could see, but still.

Have you seen a problem like this? What can it be?

Thanks,
Milica

 

[.Green eyes.]

pain in the neck to the point of not being able to touch it

It must be broken and due for surgery.

 

[Samuel]

pain in the neck to the point of not being able to touch it

Actual screaming?

I have definitely had patients whose pain was untouchable. I just wait until the next session. Things have always calmed down at least a little by then. Second session scheduled no more than 3 days from 1st session.

What led to this neck pain? Accident, pain syndrome, disease process?

 

[Missfit_?.]

pain in the neck to the point of not being able to touch it

Is the pain related to breast feeding??

Stripping the pecs will do wonders - as well as strongly stress to her when you see her again, to make sure she is bringing the baby to her, not bringing her breasts to the baby. It is incredibly hard on your body to have the weight of full breasts, bent forward, head down over baby. It'll mess with the whole entire upper body if she doesn't feed properly and keep good breast feeding posture, which many women don't. I just had to lecture my sister.

It could also be related to the epidural/spinal block the used.

OR directly related to the c-section recovery it's self too.

 

[Sassy Shih Tzu]

pain in the neck to the point of not being able to touch it

It may also be that she either has nerve impingement, with some overactive pain signals going on, or that she is having major muscle spasm & tightness in part due to dehydration. When nursing, if you don't constantly replace the fluids going into milk production you're asking for trouble on several levels. She may also have a high level of inflammation going on that have nothing to do with the recent c-section or nursing. It should definitely be addressed with her medical practitioner. I fully agree regarding posture being a part of the issue, as I've seen so many mothers doing exactly what Monkey posted.

 

[The Chad]

pain in the neck to the point of not being able to touch it

As massage therapists, we shouldn't be diagnosing, but I agree that posture is probably the cause. I get a few male patients with the same problem. They scream at the slightest touch of their neck. One such patient plays the cello and has to stay in the same position for extended periods of time. This can lead to tendinitis-- again, we are just speculating here-- best to get a diagnosis from a physician. Try using ice at the base of the neck (and upper traps) to allow you to start working on the tissues and to increase blood circulation to the area. Then work superficially in the areas you can touch. Try to get to the attachments. And finish with some light stretching. Don't forget to support the neck as they lift up from the table-- very important.

Another solution is rest. The client needs to stop doing whatever they have been doing that may cause this, and spend some time lying down. They can use ointments if prescribed. Tell them that, in the future, they need to get up after the activity-- or every few minute during the activity-- so they can move their neck and stretch.

 

[cnqaus]

pain in the neck to the point of not being able to touch it

Crossfiber

Another solution is rest. The client needs to stop doing whatever they have been doing that may cause this, and spend some time lying down. They can use ointments if prescribed. Tell them that, in the future, they need to get up after the activity-- or every few minute during the activity-- so they can move their neck and stretch.

While this is good advice in some cases, unfortunately the last thing a new mother gets is rest when she wants & needs it, unless she's getting enough help from family & friends or a doula. But even with that if she's nursing a newborn, it takes time to get into the routine and is very demanding on her time & energy. Coupled with needing to do feedings every 1 1/2 to 2 hours and you begin to get part of the picture. She should consult with her physician as aside from possible dehydration, she may need electrolytes or something else to help support her system.