Neck And Shoulder Pain
I have struggled with a calcified knot as well as neck and shoulder pain for many years. I remember it would throb I played high school sports 12 years ago. As I got older it seemed to get worse, especially with stress. I now work as an IT professional and am hunched over a computer day in and day out. I believed this to be my biggest contribution to poor posture. Stretching, strengthening my muscles – nothing seemed to work. I began seeing a chiropractor who did an x-ray showing that my shoulders weren’t balanced and I had some calcified cartilage in my neck from a long term of poor posture. I saw him for well over a year as he adjusted my spine. I felt good when I left, but within an hour or less, I was back to feeling the same and not seeing any long term results.
A friend of mine suggested I see Helen Law, who performs acupuncture therapy. Not really understanding or believing the concept but willing to give it a try, I began seeing her. On my very first visit, I explained my issues as she listened and truly seemed to be concerned. She asked me to turn around so she could examine my back. She could instantly determine I had scoliosis which was putting a lot of tension on my right side. I had been diagnosed with scoliosis when I was a child but believed I had grown out of it. She began to treat me by releasing the tension on that side, mostly in my shoulder blade and neck. After my first session I felt great and relaxed. After only a few sessions I began to notice a huge change in my posture. I could not believe that what she was doing could change how I sit and stand but it did. I had tried for years to pull my shoulders back and sit up straight but was never comfortable or successful. My shoulder, which was raised up from the tension has dropped and is now even with my other shoulder. I also noticed that I can turn my head as far in both directions as opposed to before treatment when I could only turn one side about 75% of the distance compared to the other side. I am still undergoing treatment to ensure this change remains effective.
-Katie Carey