Thanks!  I will definitely look at those books.  This might be just what I
need.

Luna wrote:

Sorry I missed your original post.  I had a whiplash injury about 20 years
ago.  Pain pills, chiropractic ... no help.  Then my doctor sent me to a
physical therapist, who taught me some very simple exercies to do WHILE
TAKING A VERY WARM SHOWER.  These are the exercises that he gave me.

*  Bend your neck forward, almost touching chin to chest.  Then, tip it
back like you're looking up for the ceiling.  Only go as far as it still
feels comfortable.  Only try about three at a time at first.

* Turn your head to the right, then the left, again, very slowly.

* Make a motion like you're trying to touch your shoulder with your ear.
Slowly, carefully, and with few repetitions at first.

You should have the warm water running on your neck for a few minutes
before doing the exercises, and throughout the mini-workout.  And NEVER
roll your neck.  My PT told me that the human neck was not designed to move
that way, and that it can be damaging.

I'm just repeating what was taught to me.  It may or may not be helpful to
you.  

Since joining the gym, I've also found that I have to use the minimum
weight available (10 pounds), and only a few repetitions of anything moving
the arms forward or up and down.  I don't do ANYTHING involving bringing my
arms back behind me, like in a rowing motion.

I hope some of this helps.  When in doubt, check with your doctor.

Carol

The chin tuck is one of the 7 McKenzie exercises for neck pain in the two
books I recommended at the start of the thread.

It worked for me!

Mark.

I started physical therpay Monday. They showed me them exercises. I
have alot of pain when doing them. More on the right side. Its always
the right side. I can do them. I have been told at this time, chiro
care is not good. Until I get a MRI.

I was in a serious car accident 10 years ago. Shattered the bone in my
right arm. Had a rod, pins, wire put into the arm for six months. For
bone to grow back. Took a year to get use of the arm back. Since then,
downhill. Not the same since. I am lopsided in posture. The right side
of my body is taller by 2 inches. Chiroprators have tried to
straighten it. My hip is also not right. I most likely got a pinched
nerve. I have also scars that took quite a time to accept, but have
now.

Then came Fibromyalgia. Been in two whiplash car accidents now, in the
last 2 years.  Both times it causes the pain and everything to flare
up. All the accidents too, were not any fault of mine.

I have tried everything one can think of. Really. Its to the point I
can not afford it anymore. I have no health insurance. Its the last 10
years I have put the weight on.

I thought too that low carbing would help. Take the weight off, help
with the pain, you know carrying around extra weight does not help.

I started with over the counter pain relievers. Worked my way up to
Tylenol threes and fours. Then to vicodin. Now percocets. Thinking of
drying myself out on the pain killers. I am tired of taking them. They
can cause damage to the liver.

After the first car accident. After recovering from the surgeries. I
just let the mild pain go, didn't go to a doc for it. I wish I did.
Sometimes I think if I did go early on for the pain, then all my
physcial health problems wouldn't of gotton so out of control like
they are now. I have and use a handicap parking plackard too. I also
use a tens unit.

Right now suffering from migraines, ear aches, jaw pain, tingling in
the face, hip pain radiating to the front and down my thigh. Lower
back pain, neck pain, knee pain. Morning aches and pain, hot showerd
do help.

The diet did do wonders, until the newest car accident. I was able to
stop using the cane, to walk long distances. Since low carbing, I have
had less pain in the hip and leg. Migraines have let up. I been
struggling to go to work. Been through Vocational Rehab even. Its all
down in medical files, how well I improved. I got a lawyer, not going
to get screwed this time around with the accident. Since the accident,
chronic pain has re entered the picture.  Well, its always there, in
less degrees and more stronger ones.

I remember when I first did a search on Chronic Pain and Illness. Its
shattering to say the least. To be in my thirties, and feel as bad as
I do. At one time I was almost in a wheelchair.

I am not giving up in the least. I will always fight this. I will
fight it until I get better. Got a job interview, as a leasing
consultant coming up Thursday. It pays so well, and they have a hot
tub and exercise equipment I can use if I work there and get a job.
Its close to home, so less driving time. I have a good feeling, I will
get the job. The pay is very good too.  Also I applied to back to
school, and do what I always dreamed of doing. Graphic design. I am a
born artist for sure. Never too old to follow your dreams. I wish I
woulda done it years ago though. I start in the fall.

So, Luna, don't wait. Please go to a doctor. If you feel something is
not right, get it checked out. One thing can lead into another. I
wouldn't want my worst enemy to feel like I do. It could also be
posture related. Chiro care can help some. Physical therapy too. I can
understand that its hard to do it, with no insurance. Try some free
clinics, or low cost ones if you need to. I found the best
understanding wonderful doc through one. Good Luck!