Neck tic relief?

[deagar]

My 8 year old son is currently dealing with a tic that involves bending his neck/head to the back. He does this frequently and last night complained that his neck hurt. We just started dealing with a naturopath doctor about 3 weeks ago and he is on some medication. I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to relieve some of the pain associated with this tic...massage, heating pad, warm moisture????

Also, does anyone know if tics increase due to a new therapy (ex. naturopathy) how long does it take for things to subside? I know I read something that tics can increase with this and then get better.

Thanks - Deanna

[Dobian]

My primary tic in my adult life has been the neck/head twitch. It has led to neck and shoulder strain, aches, and stiffness. The best thing for it has always been rest. Massaging helps a lot too. A vibrating massager on the neck can really bring relief. In recent years I have been into fitness, and go to the gym. Working weights to strengthen my upper back and shoulders has really reduced the aches and pains from this tic to a minimum. Your son is too young to do that yet, but as he gets older he'll find that strengthening the muscles will help a lot.

 

I can't help you on the alternative treatments, as I have never gone that route.

[Chemar]

Hi Deagar

yes, things sometimes get worse before they start to get better with naturopathy. But if it doesnt turn around within say 10 days of starting the new treatments there may be a supplemet or something causing reactivity

 

In addition to the advice from Dobian I would also recommend a NUCCA chiropractor ( www.nucca.org ) and soaks in a tub of warm water in which 2 cups of Epsom salts has been dissolved. NUCCA chiros use very specialised gentle techniques on the neck area and are especially good with children

[Guest]

Deagar,

 

For me Chinese cupping/massage eliminates my head jerking as long as I get regular appts. I've been having cupping done during acupuncture about every three weeks. We're now going to start spreading the acupuncture visits out further and see how it goes. Cupping/massage also helps with the pain, but if I don't have a head jerking tic I don't have pain there anyways.

 

I haven't ever tried chiropractors, but here in Nebraska we're not even in the state list at the NUCCA chiropractor site.

 

Carolyn

[evelynr]

Hi Deanna: Just read your posting, just want to share that I have a daughter who has been suffering from various forms of tics. we noticed last year around spring time they started to develop quite rapidly and we became concerned. One of the scary tics were pushing her back like a snap every 5 seconds uncontrollably as well as a loud humming vocal sound. then it progressed to inlcude some jumping with clapping of the hands and sometimes this would occurr all at once. I was freaked out and saw two neurologists that said that she is suffering from transient tics, and possibly the onset of Tourette Syndrome. I certainly did not agree with the medication that they quickly expect you to give your child with all the side effects involved. I felt it was something she was eating they may had affected her nervous system, she seems anxious at times. I opted to do my own research and found this great alternative herbal medicine and god bless it has worked wonders with my daughter..Please let me know if you are interested in it. I will provide the name and contact. Of course my immediate reponse to getting her help as soon as possible was with this medicine in two weeks it reduce the tics dramatically, she stills has some but very unnoticeable. She has always been an upbeat kind of kid and I do not want to take her personality/character away. My research is not over this webposting has been extremely helpful for me although I do not get to go on oftern. Another neurologist told me that my duagher was not the first with tics and would be the last and just to ignore it. I totally resent that statement and decided to get to the bottom of her condition by doing further research. I believe vitamins play a role in this condition, I give her kids vitamin free from yeast, gluten and some other ingredients that also help. Keep her away from candy and artificial coloring, I noticed something recently and I could not believe my eyes. My daughter loves Swedish Fish (Candy in different Colors) after a couple of hours her tics came out like a fireball. She was shaking her head, her body was jumping, and she felt uncomfortable and also noticed that something was happening. Its important that children know what may be causing this effect on their system. Sorry for the long story, Just trying to help in some way.

[Dobian]

Yes, please provide the name of this herbal remedy you gave your daughter. I'm interested. You'll have to watch her for a long time to see if they have really dissipated, or if she is just going through a period of less activity. These things tend to appear more noticably when under stress or in times of excitement. Over the years, I have alternated between mild and more severe symptoms, depending on a number of factors.

[Jeff]

Deanna, We have also found that artificial colors and flavors trigger our tics. Read your food labels, and if your daughter is eating foods that have, for example, Red #40, Yellow #5, etc..., you might consider removing those from her diet. Look for all-natural replacements, or organics....

Our improvement was dramatic once we started removing the artificial colors...

Examples of common foods with colors are: Twizzlers, Skittles, Trix, Fruit Loops, Hawaiian Punch, Gatorades, etc., etc. !!!

Good luck.

Jeff

[evelynr]

Hi Dobian:

 

Here is the herbal website I recommended: http://www.Nativeremedies.com , click on home and it will explain about the company and also you can them question on the "ask us" email part. We started last year in September becuase her tics were crazy and I was freaked about sending her to school and what kind of stigma may result from all this. So for starters I used the "ask us" feature and explained my troubles to them they recommended she use the following Brightspark for the anxiety issues and Purecalm/mindsoothe Jr. together for the tics and thank god, in two weeks, I saw a major change. Feel free to explore their website before purchasing. Tics are still there but as grave as before. I just started with their detox tincture to rule out any intestinal fungus that all may be an issue when it comes to tics. Just pour one drop of any tincture per age and mix with fruit juice and have them drink it 2/3 times a day. You can also read the testimonials and mine should be in there.

Hope this works for you as it did for me and I would like to thank everyone who has taken out the time to make all this information available to us.

God Bless!!

evelynr

[Dobian]

Thanks! I'll check out that site.