Hi Patty- I hear ya. My neck 2 years later still gets very stiff an dthe first year it was reeeealllly sore and stiff and swollen. The combination of the surgery and radiation is a doozy. I have gotten massages fairly regularly, done all sorts of differnt PT- chiropractor yoga. ALl ahve been good Its important to gently stretch the muscles and when the wswelling goes down work on strengthening the neck muscles. That is what I've been doing this past 6 months working on restrengthening the right side of my neck where the neck dissection was. It was looking very uneven but I have to say in the last 3 mmonths sinc I've been doing more excercises its been looking much more evened out.
I also recently started using these "miracle balls" (see link below) and I have to say they feel amazing! THer eare some aweesoem ones for the neck and realigning I've been trying to do it every night and its made a huge difference.
http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780761128687-0They also have some spots where you can put the ball that helps with insomnia- I suffer from that big time too. Alywas did but after the whole hospital surgery radiation deal it has never really gone away.A lot of it is anxiety I think and discomfort.
Oh yea I also have a foam pillow which mold to my head and neck which also feel great.
Happy healing Patty- I know its so frustrating because you just wan to feel normal again. Hang in there. Get hoofked up witha good PT who can help you rehabilitate.
KATE
