Whoever coined the expression “pain in the neck” sure knows what they’re talking about.
I have this thing they call “Military Neck” or Cervical Kyphosis. It is when the natural curve of the cervical spine is unnaturally straight (thus, the term), limiting my neck movement and making it prone to pain and strain.
It comes and goes. Sometimes it can be quite nagging and severe that it crawls down to my shoulder. I am not able to move or rotate my neck without hearing that faint “click” sound every time. I also have trouble looking up (to the zenith) without feeling a localized pain at the lower back of my neck.
Cervical Kyphosis is a degenerative disc disease, which means that part of my body is already deteriorating and experiencing wear and tear. It’s a clear sign of aging, but I remember having these pains and being very prone to stiff neck even when I was younger.
'Guess my headbangin’ days are over.
It was October of last year when I was diagnosed, and I went on a series of therapy sessions (including Cervical traction below) and prescription medications to ease the stiffness and the pain.
I was also given some examples of stretches and exercises I can do about a few minutes in a day.
At the office, I requested the facilities department to elevate my computer monitor so I wouldn’t have to bend my neck down when I’m in front of it.
To be fair, it got better since; but maybe because of my bad sleeping posture, stress and hours in front of the computer every day, I’m now being bothered by it again.
I’ve been ignoring it for days while reeking of Salonpas and Tiger Balm. Ibuprofen and Naproxen only provided temporary relief. It got harder not to mind it when the debilitating ache now reached my lower back.
I always get a full body massage when I can as it’s one of my few cheap thrills. It does help with the pain but only for a while. After two or three weeks, the symptoms will come back again.
I was told I should consider visiting a chiropractor as they are trained to provide immediate relief and they can also find the root cause of the pain and correct misalignments. However, consulting a chiropractor isn’t cheap as I’ve now found out, as they can go around 2K-5K per session.
It may look similar, but seitai therapy is different from chiropractic. Chiropractic involves direct adjustment of the skeleton, which I would imagine would be more painful and more — crackling. Seitai is more of helping the body heal on its own.
I tried Karada once, a Japanese seitai salon, and had their Atlas-Pelvis Balance (spine alignment) combined with a deep-tissue massage.
Karada lets you choose from a local or a Japanese therapist. While the Japanese therapist is more expensive and requires an appointment, it wasn’t the reason I opted for a local one. Truth is, I’m just not very keen being handled by them knowing of their traditional, stricter approach to healing.
The AP Balance starts off with the therapist assessing my condition. I was asked to answer a questionnaire and from there they will identify my problem areas. After that, they asked me to change to the black cotton shirt, jogging pants/pajamas and slippers they provided. I was also handed a cup of hot water (or was it tea?) which would help me relax.
The session started with twists and stretches then the application of pressure. I can hear my bones crack and would feel a weird combination of pain and relief after. For a while it made me feel a bit groggy, like how it is when muscle relaxant starts kicking in.
The use of a mechanical/drop bed can also be quite intimidating at first as I actually imagined it to be some sort of a torture rack in the Medieval times. It was nothing like that though, as it’s just a bed designed in segments and basically used to raise or drop a particular part of the body that needed realignment.
The entire session isn’t that bad and the pressure pain is tolerable, coming from someone with a high threshold for it. I don’t know if it’s placebo, but I feel revitalized after having it because even my constipation and inability to sleep was gone after getting one.
The thing is, with their promise of complete relief and overall balance, I was advised to go back every week. Now that wouldn’t be a problem if it doesn’t cost a little almost 2K per session which is still steep. Because of this, I haven’t gone back for another session after that.
I have this thing they call “Military Neck” or Cervical Kyphosis. It is when the natural curve of the cervical spine is unnaturally straight (thus, the term), limiting my neck movement and making it prone to pain and strain.
It comes and goes. Sometimes it can be quite nagging and severe that it crawls down to my shoulder. I am not able to move or rotate my neck without hearing that faint “click” sound every time. I also have trouble looking up (to the zenith) without feeling a localized pain at the lower back of my neck.
Cervical Kyphosis is a degenerative disc disease, which means that part of my body is already deteriorating and experiencing wear and tear. It’s a clear sign of aging, but I remember having these pains and being very prone to stiff neck even when I was younger.
'Guess my headbangin’ days are over.
It was October of last year when I was diagnosed, and I went on a series of therapy sessions (including Cervical traction below) and prescription medications to ease the stiffness and the pain.
I was also given some examples of stretches and exercises I can do about a few minutes in a day.
At the office, I requested the facilities department to elevate my computer monitor so I wouldn’t have to bend my neck down when I’m in front of it.
To be fair, it got better since; but maybe because of my bad sleeping posture, stress and hours in front of the computer every day, I’m now being bothered by it again.
I’ve been ignoring it for days while reeking of Salonpas and Tiger Balm. Ibuprofen and Naproxen only provided temporary relief. It got harder not to mind it when the debilitating ache now reached my lower back.
I always get a full body massage when I can as it’s one of my few cheap thrills. It does help with the pain but only for a while. After two or three weeks, the symptoms will come back again.
I was told I should consider visiting a chiropractor as they are trained to provide immediate relief and they can also find the root cause of the pain and correct misalignments. However, consulting a chiropractor isn’t cheap as I’ve now found out, as they can go around 2K-5K per session.
***
It may look similar, but seitai therapy is different from chiropractic. Chiropractic involves direct adjustment of the skeleton, which I would imagine would be more painful and more — crackling. Seitai is more of helping the body heal on its own.
I tried Karada once, a Japanese seitai salon, and had their Atlas-Pelvis Balance (spine alignment) combined with a deep-tissue massage.
Karada lets you choose from a local or a Japanese therapist. While the Japanese therapist is more expensive and requires an appointment, it wasn’t the reason I opted for a local one. Truth is, I’m just not very keen being handled by them knowing of their traditional, stricter approach to healing.
The AP Balance starts off with the therapist assessing my condition. I was asked to answer a questionnaire and from there they will identify my problem areas. After that, they asked me to change to the black cotton shirt, jogging pants/pajamas and slippers they provided. I was also handed a cup of hot water (or was it tea?) which would help me relax.
The session started with twists and stretches then the application of pressure. I can hear my bones crack and would feel a weird combination of pain and relief after. For a while it made me feel a bit groggy, like how it is when muscle relaxant starts kicking in.
The use of a mechanical/drop bed can also be quite intimidating at first as I actually imagined it to be some sort of a torture rack in the Medieval times. It was nothing like that though, as it’s just a bed designed in segments and basically used to raise or drop a particular part of the body that needed realignment.
The entire session isn’t that bad and the pressure pain is tolerable, coming from someone with a high threshold for it. I don’t know if it’s placebo, but I feel revitalized after having it because even my constipation and inability to sleep was gone after getting one.
The thing is, with their promise of complete relief and overall balance, I was advised to go back every week. Now that wouldn’t be a problem if it doesn’t cost a little almost 2K per session which is still steep. Because of this, I haven’t gone back for another session after that.
***
In the meantime, a well-meaning friend
made me an essential oil which she would then ship to me to help relieve the pain I’m currently having. She’s into the therapeutic-grade
oils known in the market as Young Living.
Although relatively pricey than most essential oils, I have heard of Young Living from friends who swore of its efficacy.
Although relatively pricey than most essential oils, I have heard of Young Living from friends who swore of its efficacy.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed hoping that it does wonders for me too. At least until I’m ready to shell out that much for a chiropractor.
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