Neck pain - seasonal

[kylalb]

I have neck pain that kind of makes me get hunched over, it is a strange symptom I get during the time of my trauma. It does seem to lesson as the weeks months pass. My question is does anyone else suffer from this and what are some tools you use to get quicker recovery. Thank you

[MicheleR Founder]

What you're describing makes total sense. It's part of what it means that "the body remembers."

Every year on the anniversary of the beginning of my trauma and for the next month (the total duration of my trauma) my hair always fell out -- handfuls and handfuls of it. Then it would grow back in over the course of the year.... and fall out again during the anniversary time.

Best way to stop this from happening is healing the trauma. That is, trauma treatment that releases the traumatic energy still trapped in the body. Since yours is so somatic perhaps Somatic Experiencing would be helpful (check out the work of Peter Levine) .... or Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (check out the work of David Berceli).

I've interviewed Peter Levine:

changeyouchoose.com/somatic...

And David Berceli:

changeyouchoose.com/tension...

[AbideinLove Pioneer in reply to MicheleR]

Wow, Michele! I learned so much from your interview with Dr. Levine.

I learned how shame is tied in with trauma and and how it is a biological reaction. I struggle with deep shame issues related to my childhood traumas. Even to admit they happened to me feels so shameful. I have been thinking about trying Somatic Experiencing to release the "bound up energies" that are trapped in my body. Thank you for sharing this valuable information.

[Hidden in reply to AbideinLove]

Just to add to this subject of the Levin method. I really believe in this with all of my heart. I have suffered for years and honestly I never thought anyone really understood me until I found one of his books, then I even understood what I went through on a physical level. My trauma shows for sure in the body. But I must tell you because I spent years trying not to feel my body this had a lot of power to help or hurt me. I found someone who was listed as a 2 year trained Somatic therapist on his website. When we met it was at a time when I was all ready highly sensitized by a recent trauma. I let the therapist know that getting in touch with my body needs to be done at a slow pace and I wasn't ready to get into the recent trauma. Well shortly after it came up in a session and she pushed me to the point of flashback and/or re-experiencing. I know that the true method is supposed to be done at a slow pace with what he calls titration. Needless to say I never went back. I was really disappointed in the therapist not the method. I still think it's an awesome way to release the energy. I also worked with a therapist in a group that she based off of my recommendation to her to share his work with other survivors. He really understands trauma. He knows you have to reacquaint with the body and build islands of safety before you can jump into the ocean. So just a word of caution please be sure if you do this you have the right person working on this with you. You can also release energy with for example running-flight response, or punching a bag or pillow-fight response. Those are safe ways to let your body do it's thing.

[AbideinLove Pioneer in reply to Hidden]

Thank you CapeJoy, for the word of caution. Yes, tritration is so very important and building "islands of safety".

You said: "You can also release energy wuth running-flight response..." You can? What do you mean?

I really appreciate your input! Thanks!

[kylalb in reply to Hidden]

Yes I have a therapist I have been working with since February who follows Levine, she is amazing patient, calming. I really connect with her

[AbideinLove Pioneer in reply to kylalb]

That's great Kylalb!

If you have time to share, I would love to read more about what you are learning in SE and how it is helping you.

[kylalb in reply to MicheleR]

I have totally started treatment of my trauma, and do realize it is from my trauma. Its freeze, I had been taken hostage at my place of employment by insane gunman. It lasted 5 hours, then having swat pointing guns at me, wisking me away, drilling me for questions, before I could be reunited to my loved ones. It still feels surreal, that it happened to someone else.

[AbideinLove Pioneer in reply to kylalb]

Oh, how scary! I am glad you survived!!! Did everyone survive?

[Palomineo Pioneer]

I've had it for a couple of months... I don't get hunched over, but it hurts when I look left...

I know it's caused by stress, and it does come and go... Get worse and goes away

The best things I've found for it is my breathing relaxing exercise, and running hot water on it in the shower... It would be better to soak in a warm bath, but that's not available to me at this time!

[AbideinLove Pioneer in reply to Palomineo]

Palomino, have you ever tried using a rice blanket? You warm them up in the microwave & they give soothing relief. Next best thing to a warm bath.

[Palomineo Pioneer in reply to AbideinLove]

Someone loaned me one of these... I had to give it back, but I think I'm gonna make one... Rice and cinnamon sounds great

tipnut.com/make-your-own-mi...

sew4home.com/projects/pillo...

[Marlenam]

I've been in many car accidents, from fender benders to actually hitting a telephone pole! Consequently, I have neck damage so much so, that I can't really turn my head that far left or right. It really doesn't bother me, but seems to bother people that look at me. I guess I look hunched up and stiff necked.

I thought of having my primary care physician refer me to a physical therapist which insurance should cover. If I could afford it, I would go to a chiropractor.

Anyway, I don't think trauma releasing therapy would heal this. Would it help?

[ConnieLoveskin in reply to Marlenam]

You'd feel better than you do now with TRT.