Trapped nerve?

[landofsmiles]

Anyone know a good doctor/bonesetter/witchdoctor?

My shoulder is aching like crazy. Think it may be a trapped nerve in it or my neck.

Possibly from a massage gone wrong. Always wondered how many customers get damaged by these ladies with 2 weeks "training" by a monk. Or it could be from when sleeping with a pillow that's too hard.

Will I get good service at Patong Hospital?

[Patrs]

2 trips ago the same thing happened to me. The massage lady did a number on my neck. I didn't go to the hospital, instead I didn't use a pillow for about 3 days and all was fine.

[faultytowers]

Can't help with a 'quack' but when I had/have neck/nerve problems I use Voltarol Gel (Diclofenac). It is a non-steroidal anti-inflamatory , and works pretty well. I know Boots in Ocean stock it , got some there on my last trip.

If pain is too bad , or symptoms persist then would advice seeing a doctor.

[landofsmiles]

Had nonstop pain and no sleep all night. Just been to the hospital. At reception you get weighed and blood pressure tested...as expected got told mine was high and to not eat lobster; salt and fatty food....and cut down on alcohol....hmmm. Had to wait about 45 minutes.

Doc said I have muscle strain and gave me loads of anti inflamatories and painkillers and after collecting them had to go for an injection in my b u m.

300 baht for professional consultation + 440 for the drugs.

Hope I get some sleep tonight.

Think I'll stick to oily massages from now on...fairly convinced the Thai one I had 2 days ago caused the damage.

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles;

..fairly convinced the Thai one I had 2 days ago caused the damage.

You are probably right. On occasion i have had some shoulder, neck, or back pain caused by a bad massage. Once I was laid up for week in BKK, eating anti-inflammatories, and a couple of times had a very painful night or two.

Sometimes it is because you got a bad masseuse, but sometimes it is because you moved just when she was about to crack your back, or press down on your shoulders, and so it turned out all wrong.

But, in spite of the problems I have had at times, I love getting the Thai massages. What I try to do, whenever possible, though, is to find one masseuse that seems very good, and who I feel some personal rapport with, as well, then stick with her, and go to her exclusively. That way, you learn her moves, and know what she will do to you, and when she will do it, thereby knowing how to relax, and how to react, and eliminating accidents caused by moving in the wrong direction, just as she is doing one of her moves to you.

Overall, I find that the benefit I derive from massage outweighs the risk of an accident, although I have learned to speak to them in Thai to explain to them not to even touch the L4-L5 disc in my back, as even mild touching causes irritation, and any hard rubbing, pushing, or pressing on it, causes painful inflammation. So it is a bother having to break in a new masseuse, and great when I have a regular one who knows the program!

[ToTheBeach]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Will I get good service at Patong Hospital?

Try to avoid Patong Hospital. Have heard many horror stories before. ..

Not long ago I was brought in as well into this hospital, it was not me who made or could have made the choice of hospital at that time...
They treated me for a few scratched wounds and sent me on the way. Next day emergency operation in Bangkok Phuket Hospital for rather serious internal injuries which were rather bad...
For me never back to Patong Hospital.......

Further, unfortunately there are a lot bad TTM masseusses in Patong. After moving back to Patong last time I had a few and never we reached the end of the massage because it was not what I know is a proper Thai Massage. And yes, I have extended professional experience in this bussiness. Try to find a 'good' one and frequent that spa/shop (in case they uphold the standard throughout their staff) or stick with the one masseusse.

LOS, hope you feel better soon.

[PeterG]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Anyone know a good doctor/bonesetter/witchdoctor?

My shoulder is aching like crazy. Think it may be a trapped nerve in it or my neck.

Possibly from a massage gone wrong. Always wondered how many customers get damaged by these ladies with 2 weeks "training" by a monk. Or it could be from when sleeping with a pillow that's too hard.

Will I get good service at Patong Hospital?

There is an American guy named Richard Cracknail (not sure about right spelling) and he is a real professional. Couldnt find the phone number though. So far I know he is operating and living in Kata (if still) but should be known by the longer term expats here.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by ToTheBeach

Try to avoid Patong Hospital. Have heard many horror stories before. ..

Not long ago I was brought in as well into this hospital, it was not me who made or could have made the choice of hospital at that time...
They treated me for a few scratched wounds and sent me on the way. Next day emergency operation in Bangkok Phuket Hospital for rather serious internal injuries which were rather bad...
For me never back to Patong Hospital.......

100% agreed..

If budgeting then International hospital.. If insurance covered then Phuket Bangkok international..

Patongs not much cop..

[visa2003]

Used Patong hospital, once, and had no problems.
Mind you, I had a fair idea what was wrong, so a wrong diagnosis would have been obvious. It took me 2 hours for a consult, X ray and buy some pills.
The doctor did leave a patient that looked like he had been shot in the head, to see me, but I think that guy was dead!!!!

[alibaba]

I visited Patong Hospital a couple of years back when i sustained an injury to my penis. I was registered, cleaned up and had 10 stitches in under 1 hour.
I found them to be very professional, far better than hospitals in UK.
I was given a course of antibiotics and some pain killers and all for about 1000 baht. I personally wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

[JayBee]

I've had both good and bad results at Patong hospital. The doctors and nurses there are very nice, but not always the best. For anything serious, I would take the extra time and make the effor to go to Bangkok Phuket Hospital. But if it is minor stuff like shot of antibiotics, clean a wound, or a few stitches, then Patong Hospital is fine, and much more convenient than going to Phuket town.

Also I find the lady doctor on the first block of Sai Nam Yen near Patong Hospital to be very good, much quicker and more convenient than the Hospital. If it is anything she can't handle, she will refer you to a specialist at Bangkok Phuket Hospital.

One other thing. When you need antibiotics, go to a hospital, and make sure the antibiotics are imported and produced by one of the major pharmaceutical conglomerates. Because at a clinic, the doctor will give you generic pills made in LOS. They simply are not strong enough to knock out a serious infection, unless you only weigh 100 lbs., and take them strictly according to schedule, and drink no alcohol while taking them. May be OK for Thais, but not good for big, beer-drinking farangs. Imported antibiotics are a lot more expensive, but well worth the extra Baht, IMHO.

[dbaron]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Anyone know a good doctor/bonesetter/witchdoctor?

My shoulder is aching like crazy. Think it may be a trapped nerve in it or my neck.

Possibly from a massage gone wrong. Always wondered how many customers get damaged by these ladies with 2 weeks "training" by a monk. Or it could be from when sleeping with a pillow that's too hard.

Will I get good service at Patong Hospital?

I know you have had several replies and have been to the hospital but I found I was constantly having the same problem at home.
Found that my pillow was too low and was causing the problem.
Bought a new one which kept my head higher above the bed and put less pressure on my shoulders while sleeping on my side.
I know you had a massage and could have caused it but worth some thought if your pillow is a little low to the bed.
Hope you feel better.

DB

[barfly]

The best people to treat such injuries in my experience are chiropractors, but not sure if there are any in Patong.

[whuakito]

yes they are the best to treat those matters,there are 2 of them in my town, to wich I regolary pay a visit,seen that I suffer too much trapped nerves.in my opinion doctors can't do nothing but give you some pain killers/anti-inflamatory

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by whuakito;

yes they are the best to treat those matters,there are 2 of them in my town, to wich I regolary pay a visit,seen that I suffer too much trapped nerves.in my opinion doctors can't do nothing but give you some pain killers/anti-inflamatory

I went to chiropractors for most of my adult life, and they certainly can be helpful when you have a pinched nerve. But I haven't been to one now for two years, and only a few times in the last 5 years.

I have found that regular trips to the gym, with an hour on the cross-trainer machine each time, plus some weight-lifting, and also daily stretching exercises at home have eliminated the need for a chiropractor. If you keep the muscles of the neck, back, and upper legs, strong and toned, plus keep the spine stretched enough so there is proper spacing between the discs, then you won't have problems, so no need for chiropractor.

An ounce of prevention..........

[whuakito]

thats why I have so many problems with trapped nerves. not only my job does not allow me the time to do so,but it is also the cause of it

[landofsmiles]

Almost got full mobility back. Luckily it wasn't my drinking/w*nking arm

Still reckon it was the Thai massage did the damage. You ask some of the ladies how they got their certificate and some say they bought it and the boss in the shop showed them how to massage.

All this telling you to relax then wrenching your body about to places it's never been before...even when attempting position 45 of the Kama Sutra....can be very dangerous.

[TanMan]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Almost got full mobility back. Luckily it wasn't my drinking/w*nking arm

Still reckon it was the Thai massage did the damage. You ask some of the ladies how they got their certificate and some say they bought it and the boss in the shop showed them how to massage.

All this telling you to relax then wrenching your body about to places it's never been before...even when attempting position 45 of the Kama Sutra....can be very dangerous.

I'm sure it was the massage girl that did the damage... I had that happen to me a few years back, and spent an agonizing 30 hour plane ride back home in utter agony as a result (pinched nerve in my neck)... the girls don't have a clue as to what they are doing, IMO... yes, some of it feels good, but a lot of it is just a a "guess" as to what is right... Many just want the "extra" compensation, I guess.... and forget about what they trained for in the first place....

[aussie45]

Ive has some crap massages and some really good ones, my way of choosing is going for those that a bit older and probaly more experienced and stay away from the ladyboys, one of them massaged me once and something didn't feel quite right, my ars* was sore for a week

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by aussie45

Ive has some crap massages and some really good ones, my way of choosing is going for those that a bit older and probaly more experienced

Never pick the cute ones!! The short, stocky ones are usually the best! And the older, the better.

Originally Posted by aussie45

and stay away from the ladyboys, one of them massaged me once and something didn't feel quite right, my ars* was sore for a week

Well, you know you should never listen to them when they tell you to bend over!!