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Because my neck's motion is limited, I have to get massage therapy.
My doc okayed that and to do certain stretching exercises, if I'm careful.
I've done those stretching exercises and can hear the joints in my neck crack. Sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, some times more than one - *crack* *crack* *crack*. Sometimes after this I'd swear I feel a slight but generalized numbness that improves after a while.
I can't do the ones the masseur recommended as the fused vertebrae make it impossible.
I can do some mobility exercises, but I've got to be damn careful.
I can play around with 25lb weights decently AND do up to 40 push ups per day now.
Due to the ring of eczema around my neck, it's hard to tell if any tingling I feel is due to a new disc problem (I had several at the time of the surgery but only one of which required removal) or the sensitive skin burning by eczema.
I do have migraines from time to time.
Yesterday I did 40 pushups and today I noted I couldn't grasp a computer for very long. But I did the pushups last night and more than I had done before.
Of course, if I didn't have the surgery I'd be a quadriplegic by now.
I still have hopes for the future.
Getting physically fit in of itself is going to be a challenge; I have seriously thought quitting work and living off savings/retirement just for the sake of it, amongst pursing one of two dream careers. After all, life is short.
But I'm keeping my job and doing the best I can and hope that will last a while.
While having to live with a fused neck isn't always appealing, and how I might very likely need the same surgery again in a few years (1 of not 2 more discs were badly degenerated and I know they've gotten a bit worse since then), I'll let you know right now it was better than the alternative - collapsing, losing balance, and would have led to paralysis.
Oh, avoid chiropractors too. Stick with masseurs or osteopaths for any disorder.
Sorry to be opinionated.
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