Neck and Mid Back

Neck & Mid Back

I have these two together because one generally causes the other and vice versus.

The goal is to identify which one is causing the other and fix them. The end result is pain in the mid shoulder blades (scapula's) and /or pain that goes along the back of your neck to what feels like your skull. You can have pain with any and all head and neck movements and it is very difficult to function when this happens. Below are some ideas on how to help out!

Pec Minor release with LaCrosse Ball

DO's

Apply good pressure
Move your arm around to increase pressure and cover the area your working on
Perform this move daily

Do NOT's

Go to hard - bruising is not the goal
Perform to often / 1-2 times a day is perfect
Use the ball for in between your shoulder blades - muscles DO NOT LIKE THAT !!!

Pass Throughs

These are fantastic for EVERYONE!!!
You can perform these at your desk chair or standing
DO not force the movement - let your body open up to it as it can - BE PATIENT
NEVER NEVER have pain in the neck or shoulder while performing these

The Lat & Tricep Stretch

Perform this 2-3 times a day
Hold for 30-45 seconds
DO NOT stretch into pain or cause yourself pain with this
Pain in the shoulder is NOT normal and you should stop if you feel this

Low Back Pain with Disc Involvement

Symptoms

Pain, deep in the hip
Pins and needles down the leg, into the calf and/or foot and toes
Numbness in the lower leg, foot and/or toes
Weakness: you can not move your toes, walk on your heels or toes

Causes

As above, when the disc becomes involved at this level there have been micro-traumas to the disc over the years and it is finally weakened enough to bulge, protrude or herniate into the nerve root space

What to do?

Typically this one is an immediate spinal ortho referral, MRI to gauge severity and possible surgery depending on severity. NOT ALL DISC problems are surgical. Quite a few can be handled conservatively.

Sciatica

Symptoms

Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg
Usually only one side of the body is affected
Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting
Hip pain
Burning or tingling down the leg
Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up

Causes

Irritation of the nerve root of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine
Muscle spasms in the back or buttock
Sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a herniated disk in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone on your vertebrae.
True Sciatica is generally linked to disc involvement but not usually as intense as far as pain and nerve symptoms (loss of feeling and strength in the lower legs and feet)

Piriformis syndrome

Symptoms

Acute tenderness in the buttocks and sciatica-like pain down the back of the thigh, calf, and foot
Symptoms often become worse after prolonged sitting, walking, or running and may feel better after lying down on the back

Causes

Lumbar herniated disc
Degenerative disc disease
Piriformis muscles runs from your lower spine to the top of your thigh bone. When this muscles presses on your sciatic nerve the pain is caused.