Cervical spin injections

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Originally Posted by Catrin

He thinks it will take the combination of the injections plus physical therapy. He said that specific muscle groups need strengthened that aren't normally focused on in normal strength training (outside of those who compete in body building). This doctor seems to know his stuff, hopefully it will work out that way. There is a chance that further injections won't be necessary.

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I have arthritis in my cervical spine and did the PT and have kept up on the exercises. It has made a big difference in my comfort, especially on the bike for long distances.

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Originally Posted by smittykitty

Thanks for the update. Was thinking of you today. Sounds like you're on the right track with the right health care pros. Take it easy for a few days and let the injection do its thing.

The New Years PT sounds like a great plan, so long as they feel you can wait. And really, it only a few weeks away:eek::eek::eek:

Take care of yourself. Happy couch time.

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I am sure the specialist would prefer I didn't wait, but the PT does expect to get paid...I do know that he wants me to work on my upper back extensors, so I can ask my trainer about that and start work before then. I can't believe there is a muscle group in my body we haven't worked on in the last two years but the doctor said that these don't normally get a lot of attention in normal conditioning.

I would like to do my usual Wed weights and ArcTrainer tonight, but it would probably be best to take one more day off and just start back with spinning class tomorrow night...I do have my stuff with me but you have a good point.

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Originally Posted by goldfinch

I have arthritis in my cervical spine and did the PT and have kept up on the exercises. It has made a big difference in my comfort, especially on the bike for long distances.

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This is good to know, thank you. I do feel better now that I know I don't have real nerve impingement and the numbness/tingling in my right arm is referred pain from the arthritis. That is what really had me concerned, especially when it started from my right jaw and went all the way down to my finger tips :eek: Thankfully this wasn't on the LEFT side...

Fantastic!! So glad that you've found a non-surgical solution!

I feel better than I have since the fall, so that is hopeful :)

The link is helpful, thanks! I think my deadlifting days might be done but the other exercises look quite interesting.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Ditto! :eek:

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Sadly, I LIKE Romanian Deadlifts! They feel quite good...but it is easy to move wrong and cause problems. I think my hamstring injury in particular last winter was due to deadlifting too much weight without warming up properly.

Either the shots are starting to wear off already...or my sleeping position/pillow is bad. Considering I was able to ride my bike today in the cold with no discomfort at all, yet I woke up in the night with neck pain and headache I am assuming it is the latter... Regardless, I do feel much better even of some of it has returned. I hate to change anything before I start the PT next month...

I've found that any overhead lifting aggravates my neck. Hamstring injuries are a drag because they seem to hang on. In my case, my hamstring problems were a result of arthritis in my lower back referring the pain down my leg. Sadly, neck and lower back problems seem to go together, according to my spine doctor.

When it acts up, I lower the weights & make sure that I'm stretching the hammies. Single leg deadlifts - also called single leg Romanian DL's - are great & work lower back + hamstrings.

I think that the piss*d off arthritis might finally be calming down :D Either that or I am getting used to things. I really hope the PT that starts next on Jan 5 will really help to strengthen the supporting structure for the future. No activity seems to cause more pain than others these days as long as I separate weight lifting from riding by at least a couple of hours, am starting to sleep a bit better, and while some of the pain has returned after the injections it isn't worsening and it is localized to my actual neck these days.

Thanks to all for the helpful comments. Now that the underlying condition was aggravated so badly it may not go back to what it was like before, but if I can manage it and continue my desired activity level (including mountain biking), I won't complain.

Dogmama, I've been told to never do Romanian deadlifts again...which is sad because I REALLY like how they make me feel - but both doctor and trainer think it puts too much stress on my neck.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Dogmama, I've been told to never do Romanian deadlifts again...which is sad because I REALLY like how they make me feel - but both doctor and trainer think it puts too much stress on my neck.

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You're supposed to grip the weight with your hands, not your teeth! :D

I guess the looking-up position would be hard on the neck vertebrae. Does that include squats & deadlifts?

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

You're supposed to grip the weight with your hands, not your teeth! :D

I guess the looking-up position would be hard on the neck vertebrae. Does that include squats & deadlifts?

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:) I can do squats with a machine but have been forbidden to squat with a bar. This makes sense to me considering where the bar is situated. I squat 200 pounds with the machine and if nothing else it makes my neck feel better... I've been considering raising that weight, but for now will just increase the repetitions - this probably isn't the best time to raise the weight.

I've only done Romanian deadlifts, and there are other ways of getting the same effect. I am done with deadlifts. I do have a hand-grip problem that limits me more with deadlifts than other exercises, so I am fine with that.