Neck MRI results

[salsabike]

Medical schools are cutting dissection time. We have 9 to a cadaver now, and we learn much of the structure from pre-dissected cadaver demonstrations. When we do dissect, it's very guided - cut here, find this. Not look for that other thing. Not that structures shouldn't have been found sooner - but dissection is a bit of an inexact science (as is surgery - believe me that surgeons don't go looking for extra things - nor does anyone want them to) and we just don't have the opportunity to explore at all with the curricular changes. It's sort of sad to me. I find dissection hard - physically and emotionally. The cadavers are an amazing gift, and I would love to be able to learn as much as I possibly can from them.

/end off topic discussion

Really interesting, Blueberry. Thanks.

[OakLeaf]

Seems like anatomy is kind of analogous to what I've been reading about taxonomy. Everyone in a given field has to learn what past anatomists and taxonomists have described, but there's like zero funding for anyone to actually do taxonomy now, and I'm reading between the lines of what you said, plus the general state of the world, that there's probably not much funding for anyone to do anatomy, either.

Sigh.

I can imagine how hard it must be emotionally, to do dissections. I was having a hard time just being at the opposite end of a lecture hall from the overhead projector where they were showing us a lumbar section with its muscles and bones. I wonder if it's any easier for students from a culture where they're not as insulated from death as we are in the US.

+1, thanks - for your insight, and for your dedication.

/drift

[Catrin]

With the tight deltoid and rotator cuff I'm taking a couple days off to allow the strain to heal. I sure don't need a torn cuff from stubborness.

The drifting conversation is interesting. I can't imagine what it would be like to look inside/handle human internal parts. I can't even stand seeing someone else get an injection!

[ny biker]

I can't stand seeing me get an injection! But I have several nurses and EMTs in my family who somehow manage to handle far worse things.

I've recently been having pain in my left shoulder and arm, from the top front of the shoulder down about halfway to the elbow. It started happening after I started using the suspension training system that I got for Christmas. I had similar pain a few years ago that was caused by something I was doing at the gym, though I can't remember now what was causing it. I've taken a break from the suspension training but noticed that the pain got worse again after doing incline dumbbell presses at the gym.

Then the other day I was using a lacrosse ball to work out some tightness in my upper back (leaning my back against a wall with the lacrosse ball in between and rolling it around). The ball hit a really tight painful spot just inside the left shoulder blade. After that, the pain in my shoulder and arm went away -- pain-free full range of motion. A few days later the pain came back, I used the lacrosse ball again, and the pain went away.

I've had a similar experience with a tight muscles inside my right shoulder blade causing neck pain on my right side.

Which is all a long way of saying -- it can be really hard to tell why something is hurting and how to address it. I tend to get lazy about general stretching and working on tightness with a foam roller and lacrosse (or tennis) ball, but it really can be helpful.

[Catrin]

It certainly can be! Thankfully my Chiro is great at ferreting out muscle strains (and treating them) and addressing tight/knotted/etc muscles/fascia. He hasn't been wrong yet, may that continue! I see him first for anything muscular related and he isn't too proud to tell me when I need a different type of attention. A well qualified and experienced ART practicioner is truly worth his/her weight in gold, for sure.

Neurosurgeon in another week and a half, hopefully he will have a better idea where all my numbness is coming from.

[Pax]

Catrin, just found out if I get the job I'm up for (library position at Palmer College of Chiropractic) I get free full chiro services! So exciting to think they might be able to work with my tightness and gait issues.

[Crankin]

That is awesome!

[Catrin]

Pax, that is MOST excellent! Crossing my fingers for you

[Pax]

Thanks, it seems like a decent job and with benefits like that it would be hard to pass up!

[OakLeaf]

Pax, that's awesome. Not too terribly bad of a commute either. Sending hiring thoughts their way!

[Pax]

Thanks, Oak!

Just checked their website and the job announcement has been pulled, so fingers crossed for a call today!!

Catrin - took a walk on the beach this morning and holy cow is my hip tight. Can't wait to get that worked on, I'm guessing my new post surgery gait is bunging things up in an all new fashion.

[Catrin]

Could it have been the sand? That can't help, along with the new gait. Just curious.

[Pax]

Could it have been the sand? That can't help, along with the new gait. Just curious.

Could be, it's hard packed but still has some give, which feels good on the joints... but maybe it's harder on the gait. Who knows, stupid body.

BTW - I just got the call, I got the library job!!

[Catrin]

Awesome, congratulations!

[Crankin]

Congratulations, Pax! It sounds like a great fit.