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I am new to this website, and have never actually posted on a board before. I found this website about a week ago, and have been very intrigued by the many posts and articles I have been reading regarding bracing, TMJ, and skilled relaxation. A little background about me...I am a 29 year old male that has been frustrated with headaches, tension, anxiety, and sinus problems for as long back as I can remember. I had a difficult childhood which is as far as I can recall when my problems first originated. Today, my main 'problem' area is pretty much from the shoulders up. For many years I have perceived my headaches, sinus pain and pressure, neck and jaw stiffness, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping to be some sort of sinus problem. For several years now I have been to many doctors trying to figure out what is wrong with my sinus', with the most concentrated sensation being a tingling and pressure feeling deep inside the left side of my face, and a nearly constant headache. I have been to allergy testing which turned up nothing. I have tried all sorts of decongestants and sprays, which dont help. To make a long story short, I have had two MRI's on my sinus', which two separate doctors confirm my sinus' are normal. Although the 2nd doctor did perform surgery to remove a small bone spur from my septum in hopes that it would help my symptoms, but was to no avail. I have tried antidepressants, which I am currently on Zoloft, and all sorts of sleeping aids. I have grown increasingly frustrated with the whole situation, but luckily I have a very supportive wife. We thought it might be candida at one point, so for nearly a month we went completely without sugar, but didn't help. I've also had food allergy testing, which didn't turn up much either. All in all I am getting very frustrated with the whole thing, and think that I am destined to living my entire life battling these problems. I work in an office in front of a computer all day. Luckily I am good at my engineering job, so I am valuable to the company, but by the end of the day my head feels like it's going to explode. A lot of times I just sit there and pretend like I'm working, but in reality my head hurts to bad to do much of anything. I have turned away promotions for this reason. It is very difficult to get out of bed in the morning. I am stiff, have a headache, and to try and think at all causes more pain in my face and 'foggy' head. My wife recently stumbled across trigger points and TMJ on the internet, which is how I eventually came across this website. I bought a trigger point therapy workbook and a thera cane(massaging tool). I have found that I have trigger points all over my shoulders, neck, and face. Massaging really seems to help, but the pain comes back a short time later. I have read many posts on this site about TMJ and bracing, and am beginning to think my problem might not be in my sinus' at all, but may be a problem with bracing. The last couple days I have tried to be conscious of when I am tensing up, and find that it's nearly all the time. I guess I would just like some input as to if you think I am on the right track, and is the skilled relaxation right for me, and how to get started? I am very excited about this website, because a lot of things seem to be 'fitting' together for me after so many years of frustration. I would appreciate any suggestions or advice as this is all new to me. Thanks, and sorry this was so long.
In Reply to: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Andy on August 09, 2003 at 16:48:26:
Good for you. You have tracked it down on your own. Massage is good but something you will find very fascinating is in the rolfing archives. Read the experience of Thessa and marvel at what can be accomplished by this type of deep massage. Just put "rolfing archives" in the search box at top.
In Reply to: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Andy on August 09, 2003 at 16:48:26:
Hi Andy,
You are on the right track, indeed! Keep reading around the website and you will learn a lot. SR will be the best thing you can do.
I have a few other ideas.
One thing I would suggest to you is, if you are not already doing it, getting some regular exercise. Especially since you do mental energy all day, your energy is in your head. Walking or aerobics will help balance out your energy by pulling it down into your body.
Have you seen a chiropractor and/or massage therapist? Alternating sessions between the two might bring you some immediate changes (use SR for the long term changes). Rolfing is also a good idea.
Have you learned any stretching for your neck and shoulders? It is best done every day.
You also might try self-massaging your head and shoulders every single day.
It's good to do all of the above.
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Andy on August 09, 2003 at 16:48:26:
Andy,
You have problems sleeping.
You wake up in the morning feeling like crap.
You are stiff and sore.
You have blazing headaches, and trouble thinking.
Read up on Fibromyalgia Syndrome.
Carol B.
In Reply to: Re: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Sally on August 09, 2003 at 20:26:38:
Andy,
I certainly can't say with any authority what your symptoms are caused by, but I can say that rolfing will almost assuredly provide you some relief. After all, I can't think of anyone in any condition not able to reap some benefits from this work, and often significant. It can be rather expensive for the series, usually 10-12 at $100-$130 per session generally performed weekly (but some do it monthly), but ultimately it's so well worth the money. It can help prevent so very many future conditions, not to mention possibly make you feel more limber and at ease in your body (and mind!) that the cost seems like a pittance. Massage is primarily concerned with your musculature and chiropractic your skeletal alignment. Rolfing's primary concern is with the fascia (the white stuff you see when you cut chicken) that envelops and holds these structures together. This fascia, although very strong, is also very maliable and changeable. So when you get a massage, although you may experience temporary localized relief your entire structure is still not self-supporting and the eventual pull of gravity on your misaligned body will again put strain on your points of vulnerability. Your muscles should be like a pitched tent, stabilizing one another. Chiropractic on the other hand realigns your skeletal structure also providing temporary relief, but alas if certain muscles are still short/tight, say if you slouch so your chest muscles would be shortened, than the work that the DC did would eventually be pulled back out of alignment by the imbalanced muscles.
I went through the rolfing series and am still amazed by the immediate results felt and observed. This coming from being a massage therapist myself. Once you're able to get the kinks and restrictions worked out of your tissues, things in general flow and function more smoothly. Your sinuses could be one such relief. Also, a consideration is that Rolfing specifically addresses the sinuses by actually performing work up your nose and into your sinus cavities. Usually the 7th session or so, but maybe they'd consider some work immediately to lend some relief of your discomfort. I don't even have sinus trouble, but experienced a noticeable improvement in my inhalation after the work. It can easily be performed on yourself too once they show you how it's done. Possibly the most exciting thing about Rolfing is that it really has lasting effect. You don't need to continue to be Rolfed as long as you become/remain active and allow yourself to find a home within the possiblities afforded by the work. You know how if you try and correct a slouch by straightening up, it's probably uncomfortable and you revert to your less-than-erect ways as soon as you forget to hold yourself up? After being Rolfed (or Structurally Integrated) you can maintain that posture with ease. You may sometimes feel yourself slouching out of habit but as soon as you become cognizant of it you can correct yourself and eventually you're able to adopt new habits...point being that it's no effort just awareness. Rolfers often refer to this as giving you "options".
So ultimately it can be more economical to treat the cause (misalignment) rather than the symptom (bracing) and deem all of those regular trips to the DC or MT either unnecessary or upkeep rather than relief (both are excellent ways to maintain your tissue mobility, and relaxation for bracing with massage in particular).
Jeez, with that said you may also want to check around the board for nutritional causes of your symptoms. It could be one or a combination of factors contributing to your bracing and sinus trouble.
Good luck,
jkc
In Reply to: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Andy on August 09, 2003 at 16:48:26:
Congratulations, Andy, for having figured it out all by yourself after years and thousands of dollars with conventional medicine could not!
This is classic untreated bracing of the head and neck. Be sure not to miss the connection betwen "sinus" and bracing in the sinus archives.
Listen to Carol B., Happygal, Sally & JKC.
Let us know what you learn and how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Andy on August 09, 2003 at 16:48:26:
Andy,
I agree with the others...body awareness, daily stretching especially while you are at work, skilled relaxation (SR) to help the bracing, continue with the trigger point work on your own (I love that workbook!), and consider getting some regular professional massage from someone trained in trigger point therapy and myofascial release, plus a whole food diet and regular exercise. I also agree that Rolfing can give you some longer term relief--it is extremely effective and pain relief is immediate. Between Rolf treatments, it helps to have a good massage therapist who can keep you mobile.
The sleep problems and morning stiffness point to fibromyalgia. You don't sleep, so your body doesn't repair, and so it goes. There is tons of information on this website about fibro. Look in the fibromyositis archives for posts by Dr. Devin Starlanyl (various spellings of her name, I noticed). She's got a book out (green cover is the revised edition, I think) that makes a strong connection between fibro and trigger points, and some of her writings on this topic are posted in the archives here. She has the most accurate description of fibromyalgia symptoms that I have seen anywhere.
Dr. Stoll says that fibromyalgia is caused by leaky gut/candida-related syndrome and related to multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Others say it is caused by accumulation of toxins in the body and that detoxing may help. It is also sometimes related to mercury toxicity from dental amalgams, and is often precipitated by a traumatic injury.
Wishing you the best,
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Nutmeg on August 11, 2003 at 09:57:22:
Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. I see the common theme between the replies being that I am a good candidate for rolfing. I did some reading in the archives about the subject, and definitely am intrigued. It seems that some people can carry emotional stresses and tension in their muscles. From the way my body feels, I am carrying around a lot of this.
I am curious to know what you suggest is a good starting point. Is it better to start with SR and eventually move to rolfing, start with the rolfing, or do them consecutively right off the bat.
In Reply to: Re: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Andy on August 11, 2003 at 11:45:06:
Hi Andy,
If it were me, I would get started on both right away. It may take you a while to find an SR method that works for you, and time to work up to where it is effective. It may also take time to find a Rolfer and get an appointment.
The only disadvantage to starting more than one thing at once is that you can't tell which one had the most benefit. But, when you are desperate for relief, it doesn't usually matter. The longer you wait, the more you will kick yourself later on when you see how much better you feel.
In my experience, these things all work synergistically since the body, mind, and spirit are all the same. Muscles and connective tissues do have a cellular memory of emotional pain and stress and they also have a physical memory of trauma and structural imbalance. This can all be released through Rolfing, but you may need other help as well. For massage techniques, Feldenkrais is very good for breaking pain cycles, and I know there are others.
Do a lot of reading, ask a lot of questions, then trust your instincts to guide you into making good choices. If something/someone doesn't work right for you, you can always stop and do something different.
Wishing you the best,
Nutmeg
In Reply to: Re: So many doctors...so few answers (bracing problem?) posted by Sally on August 09, 2003 at 20:26:38:
Sally,
I am doing some research about rolfing. You suggested reading about Thessa, which I would like to do, but can't seem to find her testimonials in the rolfing archives. There are some many posts to sift through...and am not having much luck. Any suggestions?
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