Posts: 295
From:
Registered: Apr 2006

posted June 30, 2006 02:01 AM         

---

... you name it! Periodically stress seems to build up in me and I become quite anxious, especially when the stress manifests in a physical form. Lately I've been getting nerve pains in the side of my neck and my shoulder (plus that side of my neck is really stiff! I feel my whole upper back is in tight knots)... I get this when I am feeling stressed, it seems to have developed into quite a predictable symptom during the last year. I always panic when I get these pains because I have a fear of anything cardiovascular-related happening to me - first thing I think to myself is "heart attack", "blood clot", "stroke"... etc and then I get a mild-verging on severe anxiety attack. Once I manage to relax the symptom goes away.

Last time I went to the doctor about it he reassured me that I'm young (well, 31) and healthy, not overweight, low blood pressure, etc, and recommended I see my osteopath to see if he can relieve the symptoms that might be occuring from structural problems. I swear by my osteopath, he has worked wonders for me in the past! But I can't get an appointment with him now for four days! In the meantime it'll be on my mind about these nerve pains and it will be so hard not to worry...

I could really do with some good vibes to help me through these next few days!

IP: Logged

Posts: 1521
From: Calm Blue Ocean, Calm Blue Ocean
Registered: Jun 2003

posted July 02, 2006 02:14 AM         

---

If you are a gemini, then you are very sensetive to your environment in general. Geminis tend to be one of the highest strung of all signs. Ruling the shoulders and arms, your emotional tension will store in these places.

In my opinion, western medicine is entirely useless for chronic pain. Pain relievers and chiropracters are both bad for your health in the long run.

Stress mostly builds up in the mind, and then presents itself as physical systems. Gemini also rules the lungs, and from here is where you can attack your problem. Learning how to breathe properly will enable you to ease your pain more than you could ever imagine. The best way to learn how to breathe is to take a yoga class. Nothing relieves neck/shoulder tension like yoga. If it is very severe I might reccomdend accupunture.

BUt destressing, beings with the breath. The breath and the mind are intimately related, as both are ruled by the air element. Try this, my "just five breaths" program. Whenever you feel scatteres, stressed etc. Say to yourself, just five breaths, close your eyes, sit/stand up straight, relax you shoulders, and take 5 deep belly breaths, just five. If you feel like you can contiune breathing slowly and remain focused on your breaths for longer, go ahead, if not, go back to what you were doing. It's just five breaths!

IP: Logged

Posts: 295
From:
Registered: Apr 2006

posted July 02, 2006 05:42 AM         

---

The weird thing is, I'm not a Gemini but I've learned that this sign has a strong influence on me - and through Vedic knowledge (though I don't know much about this yet), I've learned that my body has a strong Gemini influence upon it. My arms especially the left one become weirdly affected sometimes. My shoulders get tense and tightened up when I'm stressed, and now I'm carrying a lot of tension there. So everything that you said makes a lot of sense. I can become quite nervously agitated (as can my Mr Gemini, but he gets much more so jumpy/nervous tension than I do). I've been reasonably ok last night and today, but right now I feel myself being anxious again - what you suggested about breathing and yoga etc is EXACTLY the advice I needed. Thank you for your insights, and I will definitely act upon this... thank you!

IP: Logged

Posts: 1521
From: Calm Blue Ocean, Calm Blue Ocean
Registered: Jun 2003

posted July 02, 2006 06:09 PM         

---

I just wanted to note, if the pain is acute, shooting, or burning, you should probably still see a doctor to make sure it's not related to a nerve problem etc. It sounds like you have classic muscle tension pain, but just to make sure!

IP: Logged

Posts: 295
From:
Registered: Apr 2006

posted July 02, 2006 08:09 PM         

---

Thanks... it's more of a 'chronic'-type affliction, but a while back I did have a shooting pain which I saw the doctor about - he said there is a nerve that runs down that exact line, which is why he thought some osteopath treatment might work for me (I've had nerve problems before which were alleviated by freeing up my joints). No shooting or acute pains since then but it's the same area, I now believe it is stress/muscle tension creating some structural problems...

Edit: I've now had it checked out and I was right in the end... stress causing muscle tension, which then caused structural problems in my back and shoulders, which THEN caused nerve problems (which you were right about, BlueRoamer)... I've had some of the pressure taken off that nerve now but my back is now pretty sore. Getting another treatment in a couple of days. I'm just so glad that's all it is and not some kind of cardiovascular problem... phew.

IP: Logged

Posts: 320
From: NJ USA
Registered: Apr 2006

posted July 06, 2006 07:19 AM         

---

I would suggest yoga lessons. First of all, you can learn different breathing techniques, each which with their own benefits. Like my teacher says "you can breath through anything". You will be amazed how much tension it will take out of your body. I think every studio has beginners class and if you have neck or back problems, you can still do a "gentle yoga". I ordered the book which includes "breathing guide". I can post it for you when I get it.

IP: Logged

Posts: 295
From:
Registered: Apr 2006

posted July 08, 2006 12:22 AM         

---

Oh thank you, that would be amazing... and I must look into yoga lessons very soon. It sounds like something that would benefit me a lot...

IP: Logged