Kawasaki Concours Forum
Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: stlheadake on July 11, 2011, 12:32:27 AM
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I've been on the road now for two weeks and nearly 6K. I am consistently getting a VERY sore burning pain right at the base of my neck between my shoulder blades. I've tried EVERYTHING. I just bought a Schuberth helmet thinking that my old Nolan was heavy. Still get it! I sit almost straight up and down on the bike, and I don't feel like my riding position is the problem. I guess it could be.
Your thoughts...?
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Possibly you are getting old ;) I have degenerative disc disease in my neck and I have neck pain after a motorcycle ride.
I visit my chiropractor every two weeks for my neck and lower back.
I think it is wind buffeting whether I feel it or not, I am still having to keep my head still against the wind.
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I'm going to the Dr. today about something similar...
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Even though you may not be uncomfortable, I am guessing there is still some minor ergonomic "tweaking" that needs to be done. The slightest changes can do wonders. On my cruiser, the bike was very comfortable, but I still got some shoulder/neck pain on very long runs. Finally, I just rotated my bars down a few degrees. The pain disappeared. Bike became my Iron Butt traveler. Same story on my old mountain bike. Bike felt good, but I was getting some back pain. A 3/8" adjustment raising the handlebar stem did the trick. Pain Gone. Don't give up with adjustments.
I am putting Phil's wedges to the test soon on my C14 to see if it helps with the last little bit of wrist pressue and numbness.
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As a personal trainer w/ a masters in anatomy and physiology, I will tell you that it is specific muscle weakness/imbalance. I`ve heard the complaint a hundred times and also heard..."oh, I am in the gym X times per week. I couldn`t be that". It is. There are hundreds of muscle groups in the shoulder/back/neck area that need to be CONDITIONED (not necessarily strengthened) to maintain the hand and arm position of riding for extended periods. A regimin of push ups, lat pulls, front and side shoulder raises, kettlebell swings and arm (not elbow) planks would be a good start. Over developed pecs can also be a problem...too many bench presses! A great trainer capable of doing muscle testing, movement screening and postural assessment could be more specific to your individual needs and would be the ideal route.
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Same situation. I switched to a carbon fiber helmet as anything else was tough on my neck. Got an Xpeed CF (they make them for HJC).
Degenerative arthritis blah blah blah. Too many years racing probably, landing jumps. The doc wanted to fuse some vertebra, but I ran out of his office as docs who want to fix things with knives rarely do.
That was about 14 years ago. Still riding/racing, but I shop for LIGHT helmets. And like Mtn said, do some training to build up your muscle tone. Work on your posture too, all the time. No slouching.
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I use to get those a lot. Two things fixed it for me. Yoga once a week (if I can make it!) and making sure my shoulders are relaxed and dropped. I realized my shoulders blades were slightly squeezed when I was riding. A riser and a conscious effort to relax my shoulders helped me. Do not remember when the last time I had that pain - but I use to get it all the time.
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I've encountered the same thing, predominately just Left of center, since I got my new 1973 - 750 Honda. Even my Gold-wing, until I installed a driver backrest. I don't know the answer but a backrest removed the problem. Part is the weight of a helmet, being pushed by the airflow and a kinda un-natural seating position. Good luck, visited a Dr. and explained how the pain started when I assumed the riding position. His fix, "don't do that"!
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I'm going to the Dr. today about something similar...
The rot gut vodka you drink may have something to do with your ailments. :o
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If you can get a phone book or computer, check at the next overnight stop for a massage therapist. It will only be a short relief, but some of the pain could be just internal swelling pushing on nerve endings.
The fixed position of your arms sets it up. A massuse can concentrate on the shoulder and neck muscles and really help with the tension that builds during the days ride.
I have my MT on speed dial, she lives around the corner, and since I'm a chef, she will accecpt a dinner for an hour of work.
I have been on extended rides and never had any problem finding an MT.
I won't live without mine.
Good luck, and ride safe all.
Greg
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The rot gut vodka you drink may have something to do with your ailments. :o
I should be so lucky. Then I wouldn't feel it as much. During the trip into Ohio, it was killing me. Looks like a pinched noive according to the Doc. I'll know for sure about the prognosis in about 10 days or so. Right now I'm thinking any long MC trips are out. There goes the National.... :(
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Somthing I learned the past couple years, Your head should be back and balanced over top of the rest of your spine, with the curve of your neck (if it is still there) acts almost as a shock absorber. Think of it this way, imagine grasping a 1" dowel rod in your hand and place a bowling ball on it into one of the finger holes, balancing the ball with the rod perfectly vertical position is realitivly simple, now tilt your hand and see how much harder it becomes to keep still...... Your head weighs as much as that bowling ball and when your neck starts leaning out from the body your body is trying to compensate with muscles in the lower neck and shoulders that I won't even try to spell here.
Hope it gets to feeling better, that's rough.
Z
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Glad to know I'm not the only one.
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Man, I thought it was just me too.. Mine is at the base, right of center. But it doesn't just stop at pain, but dizziness sets in, and I have to ice down.
Don't go to the chiropractor often enough, about once every 6 to 8 weeks, and haven't thought about a massage therapist, I guess for fear of being beaten by my gf for suggesting it. I've asked her to help my out by massaging my neck and shoulders, but she is just lousy at her futile attempts.
Been thinking about going to a neurologist for a consultation.
Good luck on your visit, and hope it's a quick fix! Please post, so we can try it too!
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I've had pain radiating down from my neck to my upper arm and it jumps around to different areas (neck, shoulder, upper arm) or all three at the same time. I was thinking I couldn't have pulled that many muscles. What got me to go to the Dr. was the tingling in my thumb, arm, and shoulder when I held my arm a certain way or put pressure on it. For the last couple of years if I drove or rode a good distance (+200 miles or so) I would have my right arm go to sleep if I slept on my right side. It would only do that occasionally and not enough to go to the Dr. about. The tingling was what got me to go. In looking at pinched nerves it says going to a massage therapist and/or a Chiropractor can help. I really don't want anyone cutting on me near my spine. They took quite a few x-rays yesterday and will have another appointment in 10 days to review. If he sees something bad then he'll call me earlier. Here's hoping I don't hear from him..... I knew that sword was too heavy.
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My Chiropractor is amazing Jim, my lower back and neck issues which I have had most of my life, is now non-existent. Unless you go to a Chiropractor, anyone else is just guessing and wasting your money. I hope you get fixed up soon buddy!
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Thanks for all the thoughts. Was between internet connections on the road, and couldn't reply. I don't know what it is, but I don't like it. When I get home, I am starting a new job. I have promised to make some real changes. I am definitely going to reacquaint myself with the gym. I used to go pretty regularly, but I've gotten lazy.
As for getting old, I think that's it. I've lived hard, worked hard, and played hard. Now my body is telling me all about it. Should have listened to my old man...Oh I do EVERY DAY on this trip. We have the same aches and pains. He's 68 so there's hope for me! I commonly refer to myself as a FOG (Fat Old Guy)
I just don't like this pain in the neck! Feels like someone is stabbing me! Gotta run, the road is calling. We are 6K from home, and probably have that far to get back!
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I had that stabbing pain once in a while after I bought my '99 C10 back in '99... The 1st thing I did was to install some bar risers & the pain went away & hasn't returned!
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OK I have the same issues most of my life diagnosed with two herniated disks in my lower back and one in my neck that goes down my left arm to my first finger making it numb...Chiropractor has kept me going monthly visits..Without I would not be riding today. Amen.
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My pain in the neck is a herniated disc between C5/C6. Strangely enough it wasn't the forum, as I suspected earlier. Going to the Doc today to see what to do about it. I'm hoping non-surgery at this point but we'll see.
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My pain in the neck is a herniated disc between C5/C6. Strangely enough it wasn't the forum, as I suspected earlier. Going to the Doc today to see what to do about it. I'm hoping non-surgery at this point but we'll see.
I'm really glad you could avoid a forumectomy. I hear those can be painful.
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Yes, I get the DT's very quickly ...
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Simple stretching exercises before and during the riding work for me..... 8)
You should try that Jim! Maybe one day you will be able to do this.....: ;D
(http://befitandstrong.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/back-pain.jpg)
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Well, well indeed. I've never been able to do that and most likely never will. Being a spectator to such things is enough, I suppose.
Well, the Dr. is saying no surgery at this point and has given me drugs to try. I'm all for the drugs, of course, but I think in the interim I'm going to lose some weight and exercise a bit more than I do now which is nil. I would think riding a MC would be enough but it appears I need something more. I've walked around the block once (nearly had a heart attack)..... So I'm going to try to drop 30 lbs. He wanted me to stop drinking. I told him I won't drink no more (won't drink any less either). I have one beer a night and it's light so that's a non-starter.
I may talk to a chiropractor and see if they can help....
Oh, he upped the drug dose and it seems to be helping a bit. It's Neurogtin or something like that.
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Well, well indeed. I've never been able to do that and most likely never will. Being a spectator to such things is enough, I suppose.
Well, the Dr. is saying no surgery at this point and has given me drugs to try. I'm all for the drugs, of course, but I think in the interim I'm going to lose some weight and exercise a bit more than I do now which is nil. I would think riding a MC would be enough but it appears I need something more. I've walked around the block once (nearly had a heart attack)..... So I'm going to try to drop 30 lbs. He wanted me to stop drinking. I told him I won't drink no more (won't drink any less either). I have one beer a night and it's light so that's a non-starter.
I may talk to a chiropractor and see if they can help....
Oh, he upped the drug dose and it seems to be helping a bit. It's Neurogtin or something like that.
In all seriousness Jim, good luck with it.
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In all seriousness Jim, good luck with it.
+1 Get well soon!
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(http://befitandstrong.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/back-pain.jpg)
:yikes: :hitfan:
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I've travelled the same road and this is what I found helped. First take a supplement called Silica everyday, I use Bamboo Silica as it has high potency and reasonable cost.
Second take a couple of Ibuprofen before starting the ride, 30 to 60 minutes. I take a couple of gel caps before a ride, long drive or plane flight. Better than taking them after the fact.
A good chiro can do wonders but I have been through a few who were useless or worse. Spent 6 months with severe lower ab pain that felt like someone was drop kicking the family jewels. Saw two chiros that work in the same office that I've seen for years, gastro specialist, my own doc, ulta sounds, ct scans. It would drop me to my knees in pain. Finally got a suggestion to see another Chiro.....went out of desperation as I was on exploritory surgery list.....walked in told him all my problems, well at least the ones he could do something about....and he said I know what the problem is and I can fix it. My hip was locked, when he adjusted it I thought I'd pee'd myself. Haven't had the same pain since and he has corrected my shoulder that was screwed up playing HS football in 1969 and my elbow/wrist from running power tools and swing levers. heck the ratings on the chiros in your are on Ratemd.com.
Lastly if you have been on meds or been around petro chemicals do a liver cleanse with some milk thistle, you don't need to go with anything but the capsules. If the liver isn't doing it's job then you can get a lot of toxins built up and that can cause muscle problems.
As always your experience may vary.
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I've travelled the same road and this is what I found helped. First take a supplement called Silica everyday, I use Bamboo Silica as it has high potency and reasonable cost.
Does it have alcohol in it?
On the dark side, my wife has offered to take up riding and become the rider. She's offered to let me ride bi***. She has also offered to buy me a leather jacket with fringe and a pair of leather chaps. Needless to say, this is not going to happen in anyone's lifetime so I've got to get this issue resolved.
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Does it have alcohol in it?
On the dark side, my wife has offered to take up riding and become the rider. She's offered to let me ride bi***. She has also offered to buy me a leather jacket with fringe and a pair of leather chaps. Needless to say, this is not going to happen in anyone's lifetime so I've got to get this issue resolved.
My wife has often been the rider and me the bi***. She cannot see over me or around me very easy and while she says she loves my back side it makes for a boring visual while riding. So on long rides I would let her take over. Once she even went so far as to ask me to hold her purse. As she was packing a 357 mag in her purse .. it was not an issue for me.
I like the fact she can ride the bike if we crash and my injuries would keep me from getting help.
Me riding bi*** was over 20 years ago and since my have bikes got taller .... she is not up to riding with a passenger as she is 5'7" and has trouble with passengers in slow traffic or tight turns...
On the issue of neck pain, last month I finally got to Dr to have an MRI done of my neck .... found 3 compressed discs with bulges ... the joy of getting old and crashing too many times ... For back pain I also had an MRI years ago and found a bulged disc and had a steroid injection that has provided significant improvement. I am not sure if that can be done on the neck.
Best Wishes
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I like the fact she can ride the bike if we crash and my injuries would keep me from getting help.
That was brought up as reasoning to learn to ride some years back..... My thoughts on this are "Now let me get this straight...you're going to ride off into the sunset and leave me somewhere in the middle of God knows where while I'm either dying or incapacitated to the point of not riding? I don't think so....we'll both wait for help." I did give her points for thinking about me, though.
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Hope you guys get the neck pains resolved.
On my R1 I had excruciating pain after 30 mintues or 15-20 laps. No matter what I did. My Honda 600RR I never had that issue
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Update on my neck issues.....it seems to have subsided... I was still in a fair amount of pain up until about the first of the year, enough so that I scheduled an appt. with a surgeon. I had even taken up wearing a soft collar! The appt was 2 months away but in the interim I made one simple change in my life that seemed to work miracles. I switched sides of the bed with my wife. I used to sleep facing outwards on my right side. I now sleep outwards on my left side on the other side of the bed. The pain began to diminish considerably by doing this. My wife wasn't happy with the change in sides of the bed but she's got used to it by now.
When the appt came to see the doc I told them the pain had diminished considerably. They wanted another MRI. The second appt came and I went in to discuss the results. The doc said that based on what he saw in the MRI, he would be operating on me immediately. However, he paused a bit and said that he doesn't operate based on pictures. He operates based on symptoms and in this case he recommended to just 'watch it' for now to see if the pain returns.
I still feel a twinge from time to time in the neck area but I'm down to taking one Aleve a day and Lyrica in a small dosage twice a day. I can drive long distances and not feel pain and I did one ride that was 350 miles a month ago and planning a 300 mile jaunt tomorrow.
I can't explain this one and neither can the doc. I only know it's 99% better and I can't tell you how much that means to me regarding riding.
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:thumbs:
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I am glad you're getting better! :thumbs:
Maybe you should try sleeping in separate bed for 100% cure... ;D
Something simple like changing your pillow can make all the difference on how you sleep!
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I am glad you're getting better! :thumbs:
Maybe you should try sleeping in separate bed for 100% cure... ;D
Something simple like changing your pillow can make all the difference on how you sleep!
Not sure I'd like the separate bed cure....
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Glad to hear you're feeling better Sparky! :)
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My wife has often been the rider and me the bi***. She cannot see over me or around me very easy and while she says she loves my back side it makes for a boring visual while riding. So on long rides I would let her take over. Once she even went so far as to ask me to hold her purse. As she was packing a 357 mag in her purse .. it was not an issue for me.
I like the fact she can ride the bike if we crash and my injuries would keep me from getting help.
Me riding bi*** was over 20 years ago and since my have bikes got taller .... she is not up to riding with a passenger as she is 5'7" and has trouble with passengers in slow traffic or tight turns...
On the issue of neck pain, last month I finally got to Dr to have an MRI done of my neck .... found 3 compressed discs with bulges ... the joy of getting old and crashing too many times ... For back pain I also had an MRI years ago and found a bulged disc and had a steroid injection that has provided significant improvement. I am not sure if that can be done on the neck.
Best Wishes
Got the neck injection and almost 80% pain gone for at least a few months. Steroid injection under local with live X-ray to ensure the nerves do not get nicked. Wish it was 100% but at least 80% life can fun again.
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Got the neck injection and almost 80% pain gone for at least a few months. Steroid injection under local with live X-ray to ensure the nerves do not get nicked. Wish it was 100% but at least 80% life can fun again.
If it's like carpal tunnel, you can only inject so many times and then it's surgery time. Glad your issue was alleviated by the injection, though. Totally glad I didn't get one. Just the thought of a needle going into my back gives me the shivers as does a knife.
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If it's like carpal tunnel, you can only inject so many times and then it's surgery time. Glad your issue was alleviated by the injection, though. Totally glad I didn't get one. Just the thought of a needle going into my back gives me the shivers as does a knife.
Dr had me undergo months of physical therapy (PT) before he would do Xray and MRI. Arm , neck, finger numbness coupled with the neck pain suggested pinched neck nerves. MRI and Xray showed the impacted nerve pathways.
The injection is done with live image XRAY as they have to be spot on or you can have big issues and law suits.
I am lucky but between having the neck pain and arm numbness for over 6 months before they would look at more advanced treatments ... had me sleepless many nights and out of luck for long car rides or bike rides. Given I just finished a 3000 mile car ride / drive in five days .. I am mostly happy with the injections.
Dr told me 80% of those with pinched neck nerves and get injections that they have significant improvement. Given the cost of XRAY MRI PT it cost over a few 1000 to confirm my trouble cause and the injections with live X-ray costs over 3000.
Best wished with your neck pain. There are a few good books I read on the subject wrt nerve issues and neck pain.
Again wishing you the best
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If it's like carpal tunnel, you can only inject so many times and then it's surgery time. Glad your issue was alleviated by the injection, though. Totally glad I didn't get one. Just the thought of a needle going into my back gives me the shivers as does a knife.
Needles, smeedles, it's the knife ya gotta worry about, I'll be seeing the surgeon again soon, just got the referel approved, gonna put off the surgery till after the summer, but before elk season. Still have 1 herniated disk and stenosis. Maybe fusion this time around. Aint got time to be laid up and the pain just reminds me I've been busy living life :)