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I Recently Had A Massage . When They Applied Traction
Question: I recently had a massage. When they applied traction to my neck in the supine position, I lost consciousness once they reached my occipital area. I heard a loud humming noise and saw stars and then my vision went black. It was very startling. What could that be from. My physical therapist has noted that my right alar ligament in the c1-c2 area has laxity.
Brief Answer:
Hello, welcome to ask a doctor services. I have read your question.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, welcome to ask a doctor services. I have read your question.
You have history of Ankylosing spondylosis. You have been diagnosed & are on medications prescribed by your treating doctor. You are only 34 and very young to be suffering from this medical condition. I can understand your concern.
You lost consciousness when they applied traction to your neck in supine position. You are concerned about why loss of consciousness occurred.
Traction is commonly applied to stabilize a fracture or injury or to restore tension to the surrounding tissues, muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Before applying traction it is very important to study in detail the severity of the trauma/injury/ailment, location and the amount of force that should be applied on the traction.
If inappropriate traction is applied it can cause more hurt than healing. Your physical therapist has noted that your right alar ligament in C1 -C2 area has laxity. It might have occurred due to sudden jolt to the neck/head when traction was applied.
Such sudden jolt can cause other symptoms like headaches; dizziness/vertigo, some patients also complain of visual disturbances; disorientation, etc.
When alar ligament gets affected symptoms are usually worse with head turning or looking down. You are advised to be careful and gentle with yourself while turning your head or when you look down.
Avoid doing any heavy work , do not drive till you have healed. Sometimes, exercise or physical therapy usually makes the problem worse.
The alar ligaments connect the C2 vertebra to the skull. The transverse ligament & alar ligaments stabilize the upper neck when you look down, turn your head, or do both.
You are suggested to get a follow up clinical examination done by your treating GP or at the ER. You need conservative treatment along with alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage, body work, craniosacral therapy, etc… by an experienced upper cervical chiropractor or high-level therapist.
Since only one side is affected you will get better with the help of rest and conservative treatment. Any other medical procedure is recommended only of conservative treatment fails.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any other question you are free to ask. All the best. Take care.
Regards,
Dr Nupur K
General& Family Physician
Hello, welcome to ask a doctor services. I have read your question.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, welcome to ask a doctor services. I have read your question.
You have history of Ankylosing spondylosis. You have been diagnosed & are on medications prescribed by your treating doctor. You are only 34 and very young to be suffering from this medical condition. I can understand your concern.
You lost consciousness when they applied traction to your neck in supine position. You are concerned about why loss of consciousness occurred.
Traction is commonly applied to stabilize a fracture or injury or to restore tension to the surrounding tissues, muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Before applying traction it is very important to study in detail the severity of the trauma/injury/ailment, location and the amount of force that should be applied on the traction.
If inappropriate traction is applied it can cause more hurt than healing. Your physical therapist has noted that your right alar ligament in C1 -C2 area has laxity. It might have occurred due to sudden jolt to the neck/head when traction was applied.
Such sudden jolt can cause other symptoms like headaches; dizziness/vertigo, some patients also complain of visual disturbances; disorientation, etc.
When alar ligament gets affected symptoms are usually worse with head turning or looking down. You are advised to be careful and gentle with yourself while turning your head or when you look down.
Avoid doing any heavy work , do not drive till you have healed. Sometimes, exercise or physical therapy usually makes the problem worse.
The alar ligaments connect the C2 vertebra to the skull. The transverse ligament & alar ligaments stabilize the upper neck when you look down, turn your head, or do both.
You are suggested to get a follow up clinical examination done by your treating GP or at the ER. You need conservative treatment along with alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage, body work, craniosacral therapy, etc… by an experienced upper cervical chiropractor or high-level therapist.
Since only one side is affected you will get better with the help of rest and conservative treatment. Any other medical procedure is recommended only of conservative treatment fails.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any other question you are free to ask. All the best. Take care.
Regards,
Dr Nupur K
General& Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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