Neck pain in Pattaya

[HauptmannUK]

I'm over 60 and for the past six months have had neck pain. My daughter is a doctor in the UK and when I was last there (about a month ago) I asked her to take a look at my neck. She is always very dismissive of my health conditions and she just prodded my neck a few times, got me to move my head around and declared that its age-related deterioration of the vertebrae and nothing can be done. She isn't a GP though (works in a hospital) and doesn't do orthopedic work. She said its a waste of time getting an X-ray.  I find that hard to believe and would like to get an X-ray done in Pattaya. Any suggestions for a local orthopedic specialist who would order up an X-ray and interpret it?

[scubascuba3]

Your daughter is probably right. If its age related deterioration what do you think can be done? discs deteriorate. An MRI would be much more useful than an Xray

[SAFETY FIRST]

30 minutes ago, HauptmannUK said:

Neck pain in Pattaya 

 

She said its a waste of time getting an X-ray.  I find that hard to believe and would like to get an X-ray done in Pattaya

Why don't you get a massage first, there's a few massage shops that are good for body pain. 

 

Maybe some here can recommend a good massage shop in Pattaya that specialise in this type of massage. 

 

 

[bkk6060]

6 months is a long time without relief.  I would go to an Orthopedic Doctor at a hospital.  They will first order an xray, then possibly an MRI after that.  The xray will mostly only show broken bones or vertebrae subluxation.  The MRI more detailed.

I would not get a massage yet as if there is a serious conditon, that may exasperate it with the pushing and prodding of mostly unqualified massage ladies.  

Also, do you have any shoulder problems?  Sometimes a shoulder issue can go all the way to your neck causing issues.

[Sheryl]

You need to see not just an ortho but one specializing in spine. The best are in Bangkok.

 

https://www.bnhhospital.com/search-doctor/entry/4093/

Is the best spinal specialist in Thailand. And worth going to Bangkok for.

 

You will need an MRI and an Xray. Yu can save money by getting the MRI first at  https://mrithailand.com/en/

[Iron Tongue]

Get an MRI.  Not only could you have spinal degeneration, but there could also be stenosis (spinal cord narrowing and pinching or cutting into your nerves).

With stenosis, massages can even cause more harm.

If you catch it early enough, it can be treated a lot easier than if you let it get to the point where you'll need specialized surgery using bone grafts and a long recovery period (1-2 years).

 

Even if it isn't stenosis but simple aging, you can get easy treatments like regular botox injections to relax the muscles, reduce pain & headaches, AND it will remove will the deep wrinkles on your face as a bonus!

 

Believe me, I know this from experience.

[TDCNINJA]

I'm sorry to hear that both your daughter and many on this thread have been dismissive of your attempt to address your pain and condition. It's disheartening when our efforts are not acknowledged or understood.

 

I experienced similar symptoms and decided to seek help from a skilled physical therapist in Pattaya, Thailand. She provided me with a comprehensive regimen of stretching exercises tailored to my specific needs. Additionally, she used an ultrasound machine and a tens device as part of my treatment.

 

Since beginning this treatment, I have noticed a remarkable improvement in my neck pain.

 

I hope that you find relief soon.

[CanadaSam]

1 hour ago, TDCNINJA said:

skilled physical therapist in Pattaya

 

You do not wish to mention this miracle worker by name, because you do not wish to help some of us readers who may need them, or because you do not wish to help the therapist by increasing their business?  Just curious.

[HauptmannUK]

Many thanks for the replies. I'll probably get an MRI then and try the specialist in Bangkok.

For years I have had mild tightness around the shoulders and massages help a bit, but I specifically ask for my neck NOT to be massaged for fear of causing more problems.

At the moment the pain comes and goes and there is no radiculopathy.

I did bash my shoulder about six years ago but recovered from that (a friend bought himself a brand new Toyota Fortuner and was under the impression it was a Porsche - he managed to flip it onto its side near that big zoo in SriRacha - despite my protestations to slow down!  Took a year to fully recover).

[Travis179]

10 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Why don't you get a massage first, there's a few massage shops that are good for body pain. 

 

Maybe some here can recommend a good massage shop in Pattaya that specialise in this type of massage. 

 

 

Try strengthening the muscles. And mobility movements. I had a very stiff, painful neck, from decades sitting at a computer, on a desk job. Since doing strength training, which takes less than 5 minutes. Pain and stiffness is now completely gone. Can do at home, with just manual resistance (no equipment needed). Of course, this isn't medical advice. If you have a legit injury, should see a reputable doc. Good luck!

[SAFETY FIRST]

56 minutes ago, HauptmannUK said:

a friend bought himself a brand new Toyota Fortuner and was under the impression it was a Porsche - he managed to flip it onto its side near that big zoo in SriRacha - despite my protestations to slow down!

Ouch, sorry to hear but you take your life into your own hands jumping into a car driven by a foreigner, lots making headlines days for foolish driving/riding. 

 

[khlongtoey]

really, I've had neck pain for 6 months, is not enough to begin to say anything.

 

so, as often happens in this channel, not sure the point

[Sheryl]

19 minutes ago, khlongtoey said:

really, I've had neck pain for 6 months, is not enough to begin to say anything.

 

so, as often happens in this channel, not sure the point

 

 

The point is that he would like to know the cause and what,  if any, treatment(s)  might help.  He would also like to know if massage etc is safe for him.

 

And, for planning purposes, he might like to know where this is going, i.e. is it likely to worsen? How quickly? Might he in the future need surgery? Could it resolve with conservative measures? If so, what? 

 

Spine issues likely to resolve on their own do not usually last this long.  Pain lasting  beyond 3 months -- and certainly beyond 6 months -- is more  likely to prove chronic.

 

There are in fact a range of treatments that can help with pain stemming from age-related spinal degeneration. These may  include physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and other oral medications.  improved ergonlmics, use of cervical traction, epidural injections and, in severe cases, surgery. 

 

[TDCNINJA]

16 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

 

You do not wish to mention this miracle worker by name, because you do not wish to help some of us readers who may need them, or because you do not wish to help the therapist by increasing their business?  Just curious.

 

Sam, my apologies. I go to a clinic in Cozy Beach that is only for use by US Veterans enrolled in the US Department of Veterans Affairs Foreign Medical Program (VA FMP).  I would have listed her contact info if she were available to the general public. 

[john donson]

On 8/27/2024 at 4:45 AM, HauptmannUK said:

I'm over 60 and for the past six months have had neck pain. My daughter is a doctor in the UK and when I was last there (about a month ago) I asked her to take a look at my neck. She is always very dismissive of my health conditions and she just prodded my neck a few times, got me to move my head around and declared that its age-related deterioration of the vertebrae and nothing can be done. She isn't a GP though (works in a hospital) and doesn't do orthopedic work. She said its a waste of time getting an X-ray.  I find that hard to believe and would like to get an X-ray done in Pattaya. Any suggestions for a local orthopedic specialist who would order up an X-ray and interpret it?

 

GP only knows the push big pharma pills... or EMERGENCY stuff like car accident, for the rest, pretty USELESS... AI could do a better job... this pill for that disease, let's not mind the root cause...

[georgegeorgia]

On 8/27/2024 at 7:45 AM, HauptmannUK said:

I'm over 60 and for the past six months have had neck pain. My daughter is a doctor in the UK and when I was last there (about a month ago) I asked her to take a look at my neck. She is always very dismissive of my health conditions and she just prodded my neck a few times, got me to move my head around and declared that its age-related deterioration of the vertebrae and nothing can be done. She isn't a GP though (works in a hospital) and doesn't do orthopedic work. She said its a waste of time getting an X-ray.  I find that hard to believe and would like to get an X-ray done in Pattaya. Any suggestions for a local orthopedic specialist who would order up an X-ray and interpret it?

Find another doctor !.

 

I'm about to find another GP (in Australia) after my GP also is dismissive of all my illness 's that I have .

I have many and bring a list in which he says last time he hasnt got time to go through!! 

 

After taking a deep breath like a sigh .. he said "I only have time for two on your list ,pick two only !🙄

 

 

I can't wait to get back to Thailand where I can see real doctors !!!

 

 

[Will B Good]

Had a similar problem (68).....taught myself to swim properly and regularly.......... all the neck and shoulder pains melted away.

[Iron Tongue]

Oh, and inversion tables can help a lot with relieving neck and back pain.  -Just as long as you are in good enough shape to pull yourself back to rightside-up!

If you can't, then you may die, but if you are in at least decent shape, an inversion table will relieve all the stress caused by gravity and even help pull your spine back into alignment, if temporarily.

It can even be set so you lay at a slight decline instead of fully inverted, to relieve pain.

It has helped me get through some bad times with my neck issues, and the guy who invented it was 2" taller at time of death than before he invented it!

Look on Lazada

[Sheryl]

10 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

Oh, and inversion tables can help a lot with relieving neck and back pain.  -Just as long as you are in good enough shape to pull yourself back to rightside-up!

If you can't, then you may die, but if you are in at least decent shape, an inversion table will relieve all the stress caused by gravity and even help pull your spine back into alignment, if temporarily.

It can even be set so you lay at a slight decline instead of fully inverted, to relieve pain.

It has helped me get through some bad times with my neck issues, and the guy who invented it was 2" taller at time of death than before he invented it!

Look on Lazada

Can also buy an inflatable cervical traction device gor few hundred baht, achieves same without turning you upside down.

 

Especially good if you can get someone to massagd shoulders while it is on. 

[Iron Tongue]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Can also buy an inflatable cervical traction device gor few hundred baht, achieves same without turning you upside down.

 

Especially good if you can get someone to massagd shoulders while it is on. 

Never heard of these, and my orthos, pain doc, and neurosurgeon never mentioned them!

I was intrigued-enough to purchase one and have it delivered to me a few hours later here in N. CA. 

Immediately tried it and can say it's not the same as inversion therapy.

While the inflatable cervical traction device does help to realign the neck to reduce pain, it does not: 1) reverse the effects of gravity and what it does for neck pain.  Even a slight inversion reduces gravity allowing the spine to straighten naturally, while the inflatable still lets gravity pull your head/neck downwards.

2) but what made this really uncomfortable was that you are effectively wrapping what feels like several towels around neck and face, creating a lot of heat & humidity discomfort.  I wouldn't use this in a high humidity climate.

 

I can see that it may help some, but not everyone will enjoy benefits.

 

[HauptmannUK]

On 8/27/2024 at 8:22 AM, Sheryl said:

You need to see not just an ortho but one specializing in spine. The best are in Bangkok.

 

https://www.bnhhospital.com/search-doctor/entry/4093/

Is the best spinal specialist in Thailand. And worth going to Bangkok for.

 

You will need an MRI and an Xray. Yu can save money by getting the MRI first at  https://mrithailand.com/en/

Thank you Sheryl.

I've followed your advice. I had an MRI done at 'mrithailand'. As expected, quite a lot of age related degeneration showing up. Also slight spondylolithesis. 

I'm currently trying to get an appointment with the doctor you recommended at BNH.

[HauptmannUK]

Just to round off this topic for those who might have similar spine/neck problems...

Following my MRI I booked an appointment online with Dr Wicharn at BNH Hospital Spine Centre.  I got a call from BNH about two hours later confirming the appointment time at his next clinic (only two days away) and a link to do online registration.  I had my own MRI CD but Dr Wicharn likes X rays taken in a particular way so I was asked to turn up an hour before the appointment for X rays. 

Arrived at BNH and they were super-efficient - already had my details in their system.

Took my MRI CD off me and I was led straight off to do the X rays and then waited for the consultation.

Anyway, Dr Wicharn is an affable character. He diagnosed age-related spondylosis, degeneration and a bit of stenosis. He went through MRI and x-ray images on-screen with me. Basically he said I have a typical 60-something cervical spine and not to worry. Written diagnosis was 'nothing clinically significant'.

Total cost for X-rays and consultation with a written 'medical certificate' was ฿4500 which I think is reasonable. I feel BNH is a bit 'over the top' in terms of their decor and chandeliers etc., but they were very efficient.

So total cost of all this was ฿9000 at MRI in BangNa + ฿4500 at BNH. Not too bad for peace of mind.

I live near Jomtien and didn't feel like driving to appointments (especially BNH, where parking is limited) so I took the Jomtien airport bus and then taxis from the airport. Bang Na MRI is about 30 mins from the airport (฿300) and BNH 40 mins (฿400) at off-peak times.

Bang Na MRI is a bit shabby, however the scanner suite is clean and tidy. I'm tall and broad (95kg and 188cm) but not particularly fat and only just fitted in the scanner.

Written radiologist report was emailed to me the next day (Dr Wicharn's interpretation was somewhat at odds with the report so I wouldn't take it as gospel). I was supposed to get a follow-up call a few days later to discuss the report but that never happened.

 

[BigStar]

On 9/15/2024 at 10:44 AM, HauptmannUK said:

Basically he said I have a typical 60-something cervical spine and not to worry. Written diagnosis was 'nothing clinically significant'.

 

Yup, just kick back and enjoy the degeneration.

 

I'm hoping exercise will help slow mine.

[Sheryl]

the right exercises can indeed help, once an ortho has cleared you.

[HauptmannUK]

22 hours ago, Sheryl said:

the right exercises can indeed help, once an ortho has cleared you.

Yes, I have started doing some gentle exercises to strengthen neck muscles. 

[BigStar]

7 hours ago, HauptmannUK said:

Yes, I have started doing some gentle exercises to strengthen neck muscles. 

 

Less banging your head against the headboard will help.