I’ve had a lot of shoulder, neck and back pain over the last couple of years, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
I haven’t been to work for over a week as it hurts like hell just to walk and do anything involving my arms, it’s not pleasant to walk from work to the train station having to stop every 10 meters due to the pain.

Physio helps somewhat but pain killers even Pandeine Forte and Neufron Plus barely take the edge of the pain and I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

The physio used a TENS machine and it relieved the pain when it was on but it soon came back, it’s expensive to see a physio for this when I can do it at home with a machine for under $200
I have an appointment at a specialised pain clinic in a couple of weeks and hopefully they can help.

Do people on here have any positive experience with using a TENS machine ?
I’ve done some quick research and it does appear to have benefits better than a placebo effect but it can vary from person to person

they are adistraction technique nothing more.

• it’s expensive to see a physio

Private health insurance?

My physio uses them too, but I don’t think they do anything other than prolong the consultation to allow them to charge more.

They were suggested by the people running the antenatal classes more than 10 years ago, but as Boris says, they would be a good distraction for the women needing it.

I have had trouble with neuralgia for over 30 years now and have used a hand held unit I bought from Dick Smith about 20 years ago, it is called Search N Stim and it has worked very well for me, don’t think Dick Smith still stock them though.

Oh, and sorry to hear about your pain Cymek. Do you know what its source is?

have you seen a specialist about this?

it could be well worth your while trying to find someone trained to give you some advice about what could be causing this pain

what do you do for work?

• what do you do for work?

He passes judgement on society…

wookiemeister said:

what do you do for work?

Sorry back from having a yum takeaway curry

Sit down most of the day in front of a computer and apparently its really bad for you.
I find it very hard to relax and carry a lot of tension.
I had xrays done and nothing wrong there, a ultra sound revealed a calcium buildup/spur whatever they are called in my shoulder but it was only a preliminary finding and my doctor doesn’t have the full results yet.

If it does distract me from the pain that ok with me as I still have to do things regardless of how much pain I am in.
I also do think physio treats the symptoms but doesn’t fix whats causing it.

furious said:

• it’s expensive to see a physio

Private health insurance?

It covers about half but add up quickly

• I also do think physio treats the symptoms but doesn’t fix whats causing it.

What you need is a chiro…

Cymek said:

wookiemeister said:

what do you do for work?

Sorry back from having a yum takeaway curry

Sit down most of the day in front of a computer and apparently its really bad for you.
I find it very hard to relax and carry a lot of tension.
I had xrays done and nothing wrong there, a ultra sound revealed a calcium buildup/spur whatever they are called in my shoulder but it was only a preliminary finding and my doctor doesn’t have the full results yet.

If it does distract me from the pain that ok with me as I still have to do things regardless of how much pain I am in.
I also do think physio treats the symptoms but doesn’t fix whats causing it.

are your elbows above or below the desk line?

bursitis cymek?

wookiemeister said:

Cymek said:

wookiemeister said:

what do you do for work?

Sorry back from having a yum takeaway curry

Sit down most of the day in front of a computer and apparently its really bad for you.
I find it very hard to relax and carry a lot of tension.
I had xrays done and nothing wrong there, a ultra sound revealed a calcium buildup/spur whatever they are called in my shoulder but it was only a preliminary finding and my doctor doesn’t have the full results yet.

If it does distract me from the pain that ok with me as I still have to do things regardless of how much pain I am in.
I also do think physio treats the symptoms but doesn’t fix whats causing it.

are your elbows above or below the desk line?

Above, I am going to change my work practices and do a lot more work standing up

Boris said:

bursitis cymek?

I was thinking that as the symptoms sound similar, the doctor thought not as it didn’t hurt to raise my arms.
Its a weird combination it’s a burning pain across my shoulders when I walk and a sharp pain when I do something and when resting its a dull ache that gradually builds up.
Lots of very sore spots on my neck, back and shoulders that are very sore to press on.

i had bursitis in the shoulder from whippersnippering every day.only cure was to stop that line of work. so if it isn’t that then i dunno. doesn’t sound good though.

RSI. Compo…

Cymek said:

wookiemeister said:

Cymek said:

Sorry back from having a yum takeaway curry

Sit down most of the day in front of a computer and apparently its really bad for you.
I find it very hard to relax and carry a lot of tension.
I had xrays done and nothing wrong there, a ultra sound revealed a calcium buildup/spur whatever they are called in my shoulder but it was only a preliminary finding and my doctor doesn’t have the full results yet.

If it does distract me from the pain that ok with me as I still have to do things regardless of how much pain I am in.
I also do think physio treats the symptoms but doesn’t fix whats causing it.

are your elbows above or below the desk line?

Above, I am going to change my work practices and do a lot more work standing up

if you are going to work standing up you’ll need a desk where the elbows are perhaps no more than a few inches above the top

you’ll need a bar where you can rest your foot forward, this stops you stooping and using your back as you move forward, the forward leg supports the body’s position. don’t be in a position where you are continually twisting

theres nothing wrong with sitting, just make sure the elbows are a few inches above the desk top

if you have to reach from side to side whilst sitting or standing move the entire body

try to avoid twisting motions, this is a sure fire way to destroy your body

if you tend to roll your head around to relieve stress DONT, whilst you are upright. the skull is balanced on a tiny bone, you’ll grind it to dust

get on all fours, this reduces the weight on the atlas THEN roll your head, no weight is directly on the atlas

Cymek said:

Boris said:

bursitis cymek?

I was thinking that as the symptoms sound similar, the doctor thought not as it didn’t hurt to raise my arms.
Its a weird combination it’s a burning pain across my shoulders when I walk and a sharp pain when I do something and when resting its a dull ache that gradually builds up.
Lots of very sore spots on my neck, back and shoulders that are very sore to press on.

——

pinched nerve…..only known remedy is rest. Good luck with that

Boris said:

i had bursitis in the shoulder from whippersnippering every day.only cure was to stop that line of work. so if it isn’t that then i dunno. doesn’t sound good though.

Does the pain come back if you do a day of it here or there?

wear comfortable shoes

bad shoes or ones that are hard on the foot will create pain that extends up to your neck

furious said:

RSI. Compo…

Perhaps but I’d feel guilty doing something like that, I’ve worked with people who put in dubious stress claims and gotten paid out big money to get rid of them as the claim is hard to disprove.

tauto said:

Cymek said:

Boris said:

bursitis cymek?

I was thinking that as the symptoms sound similar, the doctor thought not as it didn’t hurt to raise my arms.
Its a weird combination it’s a burning pain across my shoulders when I walk and a sharp pain when I do something and when resting its a dull ache that gradually builds up.
Lots of very sore spots on my neck, back and shoulders that are very sore to press on.

——

pinched nerve…..only known remedy is rest. Good luck with that

or vibration

get yourself one of those vibration mats that fit on chairs and let vibration unpinch the nerve

riding a motorcycle after wearing a pinched nerve for three months got rid of it in two hours

vibration is the key

wookiemeister said:

wear comfortable shoes

bad shoes or ones that are hard on the foot will create pain that extends up to your neck

Yes I’ve got decent shoes

Cymek said:

I was thinking that as the symptoms sound similar, the doctor thought not as it didn’t hurt to raise my arms.
Its a weird combination it’s a burning pain across my shoulders when I walk and a sharp pain when I do something and when resting its a dull ache that gradually builds up.
Lots of very sore spots on my neck, back and shoulders that are very sore to press on.

Don’t forget to take note of the way you sleep. I tend to sleep on my belly and have had neck problems for years. I also tend to tense up my shoulders. GP prescribed some muscle relaxants, which I have taken only a couple of times when it gets bad (headache) and they seem to work fast. I’ve also bought a hard foam pillow which I use as a wedge to prevent me from turning onto my belly during my sleep. This seems to have improved things too.

I’ve noticed if I poke and prod any area on the back of my neck, it will easily bruise and hurt much more the following day, so be careful.

you could probably create your own sitting position by having your elbows take your arm’s weight and a screen where the centre is around 15 degrees from the horizontal

the eyes naturally fall down this angle in a comfortable position

any position where the eyes or head have to look upwards from the 15 degrees down position will cause eye strain and neck strain

if you roll your head you can always lean forwards on your knees so the backs weight is supported by the arms and then roll your head

wookiemeister said:

tauto said:

Cymek said:

I was thinking that as the symptoms sound similar, the doctor thought not as it didn’t hurt to raise my arms.
Its a weird combination it’s a burning pain across my shoulders when I walk and a sharp pain when I do something and when resting its a dull ache that gradually builds up.
Lots of very sore spots on my neck, back and shoulders that are very sore to press on.

——

pinched nerve…..only known remedy is rest. Good luck with that

or vibration

get yourself one of those vibration mats that fit on chairs and let vibration unpinch the nerve

riding a motorcycle after wearing a pinched nerve for three months got rid of it in two hours

vibration is the key

The clinic I am going to has this device
http://www.pihc.com.au/WBV.htm

I am not sure if its woo woo or legit they are doing their own independent research on its effectiveness so thats point in their favour.
If it works that good and if not I can just stop going there

wookiemeister said:

you could probably create your own sitting position by having your elbows take your arm’s weight and a screen where the centre is around 15 degrees from the horizontal

the eyes naturally fall down this angle in a comfortable position

any position where the eyes or head have to look upwards from the 15 degrees down position will cause eye strain and neck strain

Work has occupational health and safety people for this sort of thing, anyone can book them to come in a do a assessment.
I am not sure if I should take some more time off as I do have plenty of sick leave

Cymek said:

I am not sure if I should take some more time off as I do have plenty of sick leave

Someone from the forum says “Yes”.

am not sure if I should take some more time off as I do have plenty of sick leave

Reply Quote View full thread

—-

FMD

Cymek said:

wookiemeister said:

you could probably create your own sitting position by having your elbows take your arm’s weight and a screen where the centre is around 15 degrees from the horizontal

the eyes naturally fall down this angle in a comfortable position

any position where the eyes or head have to look upwards from the 15 degrees down position will cause eye strain and neck strain

Work has occupational health and safety people for this sort of thing, anyone can book them to come in a do a assessment.
I am not sure if I should take some more time off as I do have plenty of sick leave

I think you should at least inform them, but wait for further information from your doctor.

ive been forced into a triton recently and fucked my shoulders thanks to the brutal steering mechanism

most positions need full lock on the wheel, its a vehicle meant for open roads not city driving, its taken a toll on me , my left shoulder especially

I now keep my elbows down and refuse to go full lock by madly pulling the steering wheel around as fast as I can, I hold the wheel low and make small turns like the way they tell you to

I’ve got my arse off the seat by wrapping up some pillows like sausages, the seat has nearly destroyed my arse before I was able to completely remove myself from it

my body is slowly recovering, the damage that can be done to you can creep up on you

ive not had a job where I have done so much driving before, especially in a vehicle so ill suited for the work

i used to get deep muscle massage, rolfing, for back and shoulder. worked for me. donnybrook was lucky enough to have a really good practitioner.

party_pants said:

Cymek said:

wookiemeister said:

you could probably create your own sitting position by having your elbows take your arm’s weight and a screen where the centre is around 15 degrees from the horizontal

the eyes naturally fall down this angle in a comfortable position

any position where the eyes or head have to look upwards from the 15 degrees down position will cause eye strain and neck strain

Work has occupational health and safety people for this sort of thing, anyone can book them to come in a do a assessment.
I am not sure if I should take some more time off as I do have plenty of sick leave

I think you should at least inform them, but wait for further information from your doctor.

Yes I would do that and they are understanding about, its more me feeling like a slacker than them being annoyed

• i used to get deep muscle massage, rolfing

You ought to cut back on the cider…

stay away from so called “kneeling chairs”

if you lean forward in any way your spine is being forced to keep your body upright

your legs and feet keep you upright not your spine being forced to continuously correct itself

leaning forward is ok as long as your spine is supported by the arms or legs

when you bend over to pick something up never use the spine wholely

spread your legs, put one foot forward eg your left foot

bend your left leg and rest your left elbow on the left knee, bring the right knee down to the ground and then use your right hand to pick the object up, you can get away with not touching the right knee to the ground but always support the spine with the left arm on the left knee, never bend forward without support from elsewhere unless you want crippling pain now or later

stay away from those stupid balancing balls that people sit on

you are continuously forced to use your spine to correct yourself, your feet, arms and legs cant help you effectively

balancing on balls is for the circus not work

don’t be afraid to put your feet up

the heart has to pump blood up and down the body, this is why the prone position is so comfortable, the heart does least work

if you are continuously forced to hold a position the body soon fatigues

dynamic work is what the body is built for

carrying shopping bad, the muscles are forced to work in a static position, use a back pack

over a lifetime of stress on the body , why force it to do more?

off to bed

wookiemeister said:

off to bed

Ok.

Cymek said:

I’ve had a lot of shoulder, neck and back pain over the last couple of years, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
I haven’t been to work for over a week as it hurts like hell just to walk and do anything involving my arms, it’s not pleasant to walk from work to the train station having to stop every 10 meters due to the pain.

Physio helps somewhat but pain killers even Pandeine Forte and Neufron Plus barely take the edge of the pain and I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

The physio used a TENS machine and it relieved the pain when it was on but it soon came back, it’s expensive to see a physio for this when I can do it at home with a machine for under $200
I have an appointment at a specialised pain clinic in a couple of weeks and hopefully they can help.

Do people on here have any positive experience with using a TENS machine ?
I’ve done some quick research and it does appear to have benefits better than a placebo effect but it can vary from person to person

Eee. I don’t like pain. Have a bit from both arthritis and plantar fasciitis. Both hurt.

I haven’t found painkillers to be much good. Any painkiller that actually works has side effects – and if it has side effects they don’t sell it. I’m also noticing a cumulative effect. After a period of time – decades for aspirin, years for paracetamol, months for ibuprofen, days for celecoxib – they stop working as an effective painkiller. Has anyone seen a scientific paper on this?

If you want temporary relief then try Voltaren (or other diclofenac), I know it’s billed as an anti-inflammatory but it’s actually a painkiller.

> I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

Yes you do. One of the great modern myths is ‘don’t use painkillers over a long period of time’. That myth is totally busted.

furious said:

• I also do think physio treats the symptoms but doesn’t fix whats causing it.

What you need is a chiro…

If the physio doesn’t fix what is causing it, that is because that which is broken is never going to get better unless the body fixes it. The physio is helping the body do the work.

The chiro is never going to do that.

mollwollfumble said:

Cymek said:

I’ve had a lot of shoulder, neck and back pain over the last couple of years, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
I haven’t been to work for over a week as it hurts like hell just to walk and do anything involving my arms, it’s not pleasant to walk from work to the train station having to stop every 10 meters due to the pain.

Physio helps somewhat but pain killers even Pandeine Forte and Neufron Plus barely take the edge of the pain and I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

The physio used a TENS machine and it relieved the pain when it was on but it soon came back, it’s expensive to see a physio for this when I can do it at home with a machine for under $200
I have an appointment at a specialised pain clinic in a couple of weeks and hopefully they can help.

Do people on here have any positive experience with using a TENS machine ?
I’ve done some quick research and it does appear to have benefits better than a placebo effect but it can vary from person to person

Eee. I don’t like pain. Have a bit from both arthritis and plantar fasciitis. Both hurt.

I haven’t found painkillers to be much good. Any painkiller that actually works has side effects – and if it has side effects they don’t sell it. I’m also noticing a cumulative effect. After a period of time – decades for aspirin, years for paracetamol, months for ibuprofen, days for celecoxib – they stop working as an effective painkiller. Has anyone seen a scientific paper on this?

If you want temporary relief then try Voltaren (or other diclofenac), I know it’s billed as an anti-inflammatory but it’s actually a painkiller.

> I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

Yes you do. One of the great modern myths is ‘don’t use painkillers over a long period of time’. That myth is totally busted.

Voltaren is no help for me. In fact none of that sort of thing works for me. I do get some relief from using one with a base of capsicum fruit oleoresin. Another thing I got relief from is a product called search and stim which is a hand held device that uses a small electric current to help locate the points to direct the stimulation to. It is quite a sensory experience but it does give relief for the longest period.

roughbarked said:

mollwollfumble said:

Cymek said:

I’ve had a lot of shoulder, neck and back pain over the last couple of years, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
I haven’t been to work for over a week as it hurts like hell just to walk and do anything involving my arms, it’s not pleasant to walk from work to the train station having to stop every 10 meters due to the pain.

Physio helps somewhat but pain killers even Pandeine Forte and Neufron Plus barely take the edge of the pain and I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

The physio used a TENS machine and it relieved the pain when it was on but it soon came back, it’s expensive to see a physio for this when I can do it at home with a machine for under $200
I have an appointment at a specialised pain clinic in a couple of weeks and hopefully they can help.

Do people on here have any positive experience with using a TENS machine ?
I’ve done some quick research and it does appear to have benefits better than a placebo effect but it can vary from person to person

Eee. I don’t like pain. Have a bit from both arthritis and plantar fasciitis. Both hurt.

I haven’t found painkillers to be much good. Any painkiller that actually works has side effects – and if it has side effects they don’t sell it. I’m also noticing a cumulative effect. After a period of time – decades for aspirin, years for paracetamol, months for ibuprofen, days for celecoxib – they stop working as an effective painkiller. Has anyone seen a scientific paper on this?

If you want temporary relief then try Voltaren (or other diclofenac), I know it’s billed as an anti-inflammatory but it’s actually a painkiller.

> I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

Yes you do. One of the great modern myths is ‘don’t use painkillers over a long period of time’. That myth is totally busted.

Voltaren is no help for me. In fact none of that sort of thing works for me. I do get some relief from using one with a base of capsicum fruit oleoresin. Another thing I got relief from is a product called search and stim which is a hand held device that uses a small electric current to help locate the points to direct the stimulation to. It is quite a sensory experience but it does give relief for the longest period.

By the way, The search and stim is more like accupuncture than the TENS machine and costs about half the price.

Some pharmacies hire tens machine. Try it out first.

poikilotherm said:

Some pharmacies hire tens machine. Try it out first.

Thanks. I’ll ask about that around the local chemists tomorrow.

Speedy said:

They were suggested by the people running the antenatal classes more than 10 years ago, but as Boris says, they would be a good distraction for the women needing it.

TENS machines are still suggested for labour pains.

Cymek said:

Work has occupational health and safety people for this sort of thing, anyone can book them to come in a do a assessment.
I am not sure if I should take some more time off as I do have plenty of sick leave

Govt dept OH&S actually do a decent job, so please book them in and have a chat. They also work fairly quickly to get things changed for you.

Definitely have some more time off. Book in for a weekly massage to loosen neck and shoulder muscles which physio may miss. Ask your massage therapist to do some passive movements on the shoulder joint.

And don’t judge me, but I agree with Wookie about the vibrational therapy. It may just be enough to lessen the pain and doesn’t take as long as a traditional massage or physio session. I bought a machine from the Perth Show and used it on my tight, painful shoulders for the remainder of the Show… Brilliant.

Yes you do. One of the great modern myths is ‘don’t use painkillers over a long period of time’. That myth is totally busted.

you ever seen anyone who has been on morphine, or whatever it is, patches for a long time?

ChrispenEvan said:

you ever seen anyone who has been on morphine, or whatever it is, patches for a long time?

Yes I have. It isn’t pretty.

Alcohol rubs are good, get a good bottle of distilled spirits, drink the entire contents in about an hour, then rub yourself all over with the empty bottle, repeat daily as required.

Cymek said:

Do people on here have any positive experience with using a TENS machine ?
I’ve done some quick research and it does appear to have benefits better than a placebo effect but it can vary from person to person

“There are no changes to the conclusions since the original version of the review was published in issue 2, 2009. Due to insufficient extractable data in the studies included in this review, we are unable to make any definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of TENS as an isolated treatment for acute pain in adults.”

…TENS as a sole treatment for acute pain in adults

“At this time, the evidence from the small number of placebo-controlled trials does not support the use of TENS in the routine management of chronic LBP. Further research is encouraged.”

…TENS versus placebo for chronic low-back pain

Divine Angel said:

TENS machines are still suggested for labour pains.

“There is only limited evidence that TENS reduces pain in labour and it does not seem to have any impact (either positive or negative) on other outcomes for mothers or babies. The use of TENS at home in early labour has not been evaluated. TENS is widely available in hospital settings and women should have the choice of using it in labour.”

TENS … for pain relief in labour

Have TEN S devices been shown to treat pinched nerves? Cymek’s symptoms sound like median nerve impingement. I didn’t know there was a method beyond developing regular stretching routines that would address pinched nerves.

Postpocelipse said:

Have TEN S devices been shown to treat pinched nerves? Cymek’s symptoms sound like median nerve impingement. I didn’t know there was a method beyond developing regular stretching routines that would address pinched nerves.

They need t become unpinched.

roughbarked said:

Postpocelipse said:

Have TEN S devices been shown to treat pinched nerves? Cymek’s symptoms sound like median nerve impingement. I didn’t know there was a method beyond developing regular stretching routines that would address pinched nerves.

They need t become unpinched.

Which usually requires repositioning of the effected joint by stretching the overworked muscles and strengthening the weakened muscles. I don’t see how this is achieved with a TENS device.

not, IME… no

you can hire them

furious said:

• I also do think physio treats the symptoms but doesn’t fix whats causing it.

What you need is a chiro…

cue the bus

Cymek said:

I’ve had a lot of shoulder, neck and back pain over the last couple of years, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
I haven’t been to work for over a week as it hurts like hell just to walk and do anything involving my arms, it’s not pleasant to walk from work to the train station having to stop every 10 meters due to the pain.

Physio helps somewhat but pain killers even Pandeine Forte and Neufron Plus barely take the edge of the pain and I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

The physio used a TENS machine and it relieved the pain when it was on but it soon came back, it’s expensive to see a physio for this when I can do it at home with a machine for under $200
I have an appointment at a specialised pain clinic in a couple of weeks and hopefully they can help.

Do people on here have any positive experience with using a TENS machine ?
I’ve done some quick research and it does appear to have benefits better than a placebo effect but it can vary from person to person

I’m debating with myself whether to use myself as a test subject to the evaluation of what painkillers (and placebos) work and what don’t.
If I was to do it, what would be a suitable test protocol?
Anyone want to join me in the experiment?

mollwollfumble said:

Cymek said:

I’ve had a lot of shoulder, neck and back pain over the last couple of years, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
I haven’t been to work for over a week as it hurts like hell just to walk and do anything involving my arms, it’s not pleasant to walk from work to the train station having to stop every 10 meters due to the pain.

Physio helps somewhat but pain killers even Pandeine Forte and Neufron Plus barely take the edge of the pain and I don’t want to take them long term anyway.

The physio used a TENS machine and it relieved the pain when it was on but it soon came back, it’s expensive to see a physio for this when I can do it at home with a machine for under $200
I have an appointment at a specialised pain clinic in a couple of weeks and hopefully they can help.

Do people on here have any positive experience with using a TENS machine ?
I’ve done some quick research and it does appear to have benefits better than a placebo effect but it can vary from person to person

I’m debating with myself whether to use myself as a test subject to the evaluation of what painkillers (and placebos) work and what don’t.
If I was to do it, what would be a suitable test protocol?
Anyone want to join me in the experiment?

My niece has one but after the novelty wore off she stopped using it.

mollwollfumble said:

I’m debating with myself whether to use myself as a test subject to the evaluation of what painkillers (and placebos) work and what don’t.
If I was to do it, what would be a suitable test protocol?
Anyone want to join me in the experiment?

For a start you will want to blind yourself so that you don’t know which painkiller you are getting and also not know when placebo is given. Ideally the person that gives you the treatment would also be blinded. You might have trouble randomising your control group :)

nut said:

mollwollfumble said:

I’m debating with myself whether to use myself as a test subject to the evaluation of what painkillers (and placebos) work and what don’t.
If I was to do it, what would be a suitable test protocol?
Anyone want to join me in the experiment?

For a start you will want to blind yourself so that you don’t know which painkiller you are getting and also not know when placebo is given. Ideally the person that gives you the treatment would also be blinded. You might have trouble randomising your control group :)

nut :) not planning on going to those extremes.

I was thinking of ways of inflicting self pain. Clinical tests have used both the ‘hand in a bucket of ice-water’ and a snapping rubber band on wrist. A needle prick could perhaps be another test. I could add to that my two natural sources of pain (arthritis and plantar fasciitis). It’s normal to rate self-perception of pain on a scale of 0 to 10. A diary would be needed.

Unfortunately, I think it would require at least one week on each individual pain-killing technique to help to eliminate day-to-day variations. And there are so many options to try out for pain-killing techniques including:
—Behavioural changes: meditation & relaxation, humour, massage, distraction (eg. reading, TV, mental work), aerobic exercise.
—Placebo or not? – aspartame, sugar cubes, sertraline, antihistamine, ventolin.
—Analgesics – Aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, celecoxib, codeine.
—Physical devices – hot pack, cold pack, acupuncture (eg. TENS, Search N Stim).

mollwollfumble said:

nut said:

mollwollfumble said:

I’m debating with myself whether to use myself as a test subject to the evaluation of what painkillers (and placebos) work and what don’t.
If I was to do it, what would be a suitable test protocol?
Anyone want to join me in the experiment?

For a start you will want to blind yourself so that you don’t know which painkiller you are getting and also not know when placebo is given. Ideally the person that gives you the treatment would also be blinded. You might have trouble randomising your control group :)

nut :) not planning on going to those extremes.

I was thinking of ways of inflicting self pain. Clinical tests have used both the ‘hand in a bucket of ice-water’ and a snapping rubber band on wrist. A needle prick could perhaps be another test. I could add to that my two natural sources of pain (arthritis and plantar fasciitis). It’s normal to rate self-perception of pain on a scale of 0 to 10. A diary would be needed.

Unfortunately, I think it would require at least one week on each individual pain-killing technique to help to eliminate day-to-day variations. And there are so many options to try out for pain-killing techniques including:
—Behavioural changes: meditation & relaxation, humour, massage, distraction (eg. reading, TV, mental work), aerobic exercise.
—Placebo or not? – aspartame, sugar cubes, sertraline, antihistamine, ventolin.
—Analgesics – Aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, celecoxib, codeine.
—Physical devices – hot pack, cold pack, acupuncture (eg. TENS, Search N Stim).

Perhaps not.