Suggestions?

[Yahzmin (US) (???)]

Got a women today presenting with alot of tingling down into all fingers. MRI found bone spurs in C spine. Exact locations I don't know. She C spine is very hyper extended I think it the right way to describe it.

Right off she said she couldn't lay on her stomach because it makes the tingly worse. I had her lay on back and she needed 2 folded big towels under her head to be comfortable.

PT she is going to suggested work on rhomboids/mid to low traps. They are right but her pecs, scaleens, well that whole area is tight.

I had 15 minutes to talk and work so not enough time to check things out. I worked on those pesky pecs, very tender. When working on upper traps she said the tingly got worse.

Suggestions? She is coming back next week for a 35 minute session.

I thought to do some seated work on acupoints and mfr on sternum and pecs and scaleens this time.

 

[b-angel]

I have a client who has severe curvature and pain in her neck (but no finger tingling). If you can look at her overall structure, there may be imbalance in the pelvis/torso that is putting her off balance and making her crane her head forward to balance her out.

For my client I have had great success working her front line: retinaculum of the foot, quads, rectus abdominus, anterior and lateral ribcage, and LOTS of pec work. All this makes her lifted and taller and not stoop so much so she doesn't have to stick her neck out. Depending on your client's structure, this may not be what she needs, but just for example.

Without seeing her body, it's hard to suggest. But if she is stooped over in general (kyphosis) and you only have 35 min, I would say lengthen (structural work) rectus abdominus and the ribcage, open up pecs, and then work on the neck. That's what I would do.

 

[Viperflash]

Suggestions?

I thought to do some seated work on acupoints and mfr on sternum and pecs and scaleens this time.

You got it. The LAST thing you want to do if the head is that far forward, is to work on the rhomboids and traps. If you can get her chest open and head back it will take the pressure off those structures that are causing her problems, then you can deal specifically with what is left.

 

[weasa]

Thanks! Great minds think a like, eh ladies?

 

[HelpMee]

I saw this client again and she said the only change was there was no tingly sensations going into her pinky anymore.

So I worked on her yesterday. The PT is working on getting her cervical spine into allignment and still says I should be working the rhomboids. Anyways, I did the work I had planned. I noticed ANY touch on the C7-6 area resulted in her freaking out. I mean even the LIGHTEST touch. Yet at PT they put heat on her. I kindly suggested she might want to use ice/heat but she doesnt' like ice, it doesn't feel good. LOL

Any other suggestions? I am not sure if she will come back or not.

 

[Relative ease]

Hi Softy515.
Have you considered gentle traction of the cervical area?And I wonder if she is recieving ultra sound on those spurs. It has been known to help from time to time.

Also, sometimes spurs can be caused by a calcium deficiency...believe it or not. Is she on any supplements?

And you might wanna check her sacro-iliac joint. Any problems in the lumbar sacral area will be repeated in the cervical area.

 

[LaLa]

I had a client whose pecs were a total wreck, scalenes so darned tight you'd have thought them to be made of steel cable --- you've got the picture right?

Okay, plan was to trigger point her most "vibrant" [her word] points to facilitate releases... only problem with that was that she couldn't stand being touched. So........ I simply placed my hands on her chest slightly below the clavicles and let them rest there verrrrry lightly. That's it. Just passive touch. Pecs gave loose, intercostals gave loose, SCM loosened at the clavicle. Gently placed hands on sides of neck and let the rest, same thing happened, scalenes and upper SCM loosened and stayed that way. To further facilitate anterior relaxation of musculature, hands were placed on either side of the ribcage in line with the xyphoid process - diaphragmatic release followed as did release in serratus group and lats attachments.

Maybe something like that will help your client....... fwi

 

[Slim D]

Anastasia, thank you for that suggestion!

I recently had a new client come in with multiple repetitive strain issues related to her career as a cellist. Her neck is so incredibly jacked up, and she is filled with anxiety. I could barely touch her for her tenderness and worry.

If she comes back I will try this approach, as I think it has the potential to deal with her trust issues, as well.

 

[HannahSaysHii<3]

She has come back though not as often as I would like. There is steady improvement BUT she is still guarding that neck like its gold. :grin:

 

[Gwillam]

she is still guarding that neck like its gold

Because it is! It's her body! All outside perspectives are someone else's and guilty until proven innocent. What will gaining her body's trust require?

I wish I could express my thinking on this more clearly. I will excuse myself as I am sick with a cold

Anyway, I'm confused, wondering what the PT's reasoning is for suggesting rhomboid and lower trap work.