A couple weeks ago I completed the third week of physical therapy (six sessions), and I must say things are going well. I've been filled with an immeasurable amount of hope that my doctor, physical therapist, and I will solve my chronic neck pain without medication, nerve blocks or radio-frequency. The Chronic Migraines will hopefully lessen as well, especially since I'm getting more and more strict about the foods I consume.
Some recommendations from my physical therapist for:
inner ear disorder: usage of
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)neck pain: support arms with pillows while
seated and
sleeping (wedge for
neck while sleeping - having my head elevated helps with my dizziness and head pain/pressure, and a wedge for
leg support) while sleeping; also for neck pain I have hot and cold packs; another tip she suggested was trimming my long, thick hair because the weight adds strain on my neck
eyes: pink-lensed anti-glare
glasses (excellent when using computer)
eye strain: minimize video games, which overstimulate the brain (remember I lack the ability to block all senses, so video games with flashing lights, bright colors, movement and loud sounds will cause Migraine and Vertigo; also limit overall computer time and reading - achieve this by resting every 10 minutes and work your way up to longer time period
remembering names, places, directions, etc.: I have permission not to; all I have to remember is my name (what's interesting is the less pressure I put on myself to remember, the more I actually remember)
my relationship: before I vent about my pain - or something that's causing me stress - with my husband, I am to ask him how much time he'll just listen, knowing he's not allowed to try to fix the problem; also to create a list (see below) of all the things my husband does for me that help minimize my pain (by doing these things he is fixing my problems)
Some examples from my list:
works full-time so I don't have to
provides us with health insurance
makes me laugh like no other
understands or attempt to understand what I'm experiencing
fixes things around the house
drives me to my doctor appointments, and asks questions or takes mental notes
walks with me
talks with me
lifts heavy things for me
never complains
saves my love letters and notes
found my think-outside-the-box Neuro, who then introduced me to my amazing PT
...and some more things that are too personal to share
Some recommendations from my physical therapist for:
inner ear disorder: usage of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
neck pain: support arms with pillows while seated and sleeping (wedge for neck while sleeping - having my head elevated helps with my dizziness and head pain/pressure, and a wedge for leg support) while sleeping; also for neck pain I have hot and cold packs; another tip she suggested was trimming my long, thick hair because the weight adds strain on my neck
eyes: pink-lensed anti-glare glasses (excellent when using computer)
eye strain: minimize video games, which overstimulate the brain (remember I lack the ability to block all senses, so video games with flashing lights, bright colors, movement and loud sounds will cause Migraine and Vertigo; also limit overall computer time and reading - achieve this by resting every 10 minutes and work your way up to longer time period
remembering names, places, directions, etc.: I have permission not to; all I have to remember is my name (what's interesting is the less pressure I put on myself to remember, the more I actually remember)
my relationship: before I vent about my pain - or something that's causing me stress - with my husband, I am to ask him how much time he'll just listen, knowing he's not allowed to try to fix the problem; also to create a list (see below) of all the things my husband does for me that help minimize my pain (by doing these things he is fixing my problems)
Some examples from my list:
works full-time so I don't have to
provides us with health insurance
makes me laugh like no other
understands or attempt to understand what I'm experiencing
fixes things around the house
drives me to my doctor appointments, and asks questions or takes mental notes
walks with me
talks with me
lifts heavy things for me
never complains
saves my love letters and notes
found my think-outside-the-box Neuro, who then introduced me to my amazing PT
...and some more things that are too personal to share