Eagle Syndrome Information- Treatments Available For ES:
Alternative Treatments
Disclaimer: These answers to common questions were put together for new members to gain a head start in finding information about Eagle Syndrome; to give you confidence to discuss issues with your medical team and to encourage you to research issues further for yourselves. It was compiled by a volunteer Moderator, who does not claim to be a medical professional, merely an informed observer and patient! The sources used are personal experiences, LivingWithEagle members’ experiences, and research from professional publications (some of the articles can’t be read fully unless subscribed to). Many thanks to heidemt for her research and contribution, and for her example of being your own advocate and not giving up. Members are encouraged to seek medical opinion and these pages are not intended to replace that. Members are also encouraged to research more for themselves- there is more research available but with the limitation of time and neck pain, this was the best that I could do! Past discussions are useful sources of info as well; search whatever the subject is, and you’ll often find someone who’s been through it too!
Alternative Treatments:
Other methods include reducing pain through physical therapy, relaxing the muscles that had been constricted due to styloid process stimulation.
Otherwise alternative treatments like acupuncture can sometimes help, pain can be made worse through tension and muscle knots- a bit of a vicious circle as who can be relaxed when they’re in pain?!- so massage might help, plus gentle stretches (laying down) on your neck- tucking your chin gently to your chest and turning your head gently side to side. That’s a difficult one; it can help to do a few but often Eagles makes it too painful to turn your head. Little and often did help me. However, chin tucks where you draw your chin in towards your neck (as opposed to down to your chest) can for some people with IJV compression aggravate the compression.
Improving posture, adjusting sitting position when working at a computer, and restoring the natural curve in your neck for those who’ve lost this (military neck) can sometimes help; there’s lots of info and suggested links to exercises in this discussion by @vdm :
List of my favourite resources on YouTube to learn anatomy - General - Living with Eagle
One member- ann- recommends myokinesthetic-massage of the small muscles in the jaw and neck. There do seem to be some links with tension in muscles to nerve pain- tight muscles can compress nerves, and referred pain from this can be felt elsewhere.
Myofascial Release therapy has also been mentioned on this site. While not wanting to endorse any particular treatments, there are some interesting facts in the following links: Complete Guide to Trigger Points & Myofascial Pain [2024] , Complete Guide to Neck Pain & Cricks [2024] . These are introductions to books, but there are some interesting info and research links, so worth a read.
Also this is an interesting article showing where trigger points can refer pain to:
ROUND EARTH PUBLISHING: INTRODUCTION TO HEAD PAIN .
As ES can cause inflammation in the whole neck area, it can be easy to put every pain we get down to this, but sometimes it might be due to a problem elsewhere. Or, it could be that ES is causing inflamed nerves, which could refer the pain to another area! But the more you educate yourself, the more you might be able to understand your pain.
Either hot or cold packs have been found to help to reduce inflammation, or eating lots of popsicles!
Member IamGroot-has tried ‘Vestibular Rehab’ exercises to help with dizziness if that’s a symptom you have- the exercises are designed to help the body adjust to postural changes. Here’s a link to some I found online, but always check with your own doctor before doing these exercises: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/.../Vestibular%20Rehab%20Exercises.pdf
The best advice I was given was passed on by other members – if you have trouble sleeping because it’s so painful, try sleeping propped up with a wedge pillow, or in a recliner. I also use a V shaped orthopaedic pillow which has helped a lot. This can help if you have increased head pressure with IJV compression. However, if you have glaucoma, this isn’t advised, see this research paper quote from @Emerald :
High- pillow sleeping posture : significant constriction of internal and external jugular veins and increased intraocular pressure in those with glaucoma - General - Living with Eagle
I also use a V shaped orthopaedic pillow which has helped a lot.
Lying flat can make things worse, especially if you do have jugular compression and Intracranial Hypertension.
Supplements such as fish oil (for EHA and DPA), and a B vitamin complex can possibly help with nerve repair- always check with your doctor that these don’t interfere with any medication you’re on.
If you have symptoms of vagus nerve irritation, there are exercises which apparently can help, there’s some info & some links in these discussions:
Headed to Denver tomorrow - General - Living with Eagle
Successful Surgery for severe Vagus Nerve Compression - General / Eagle Syndrome Stories - Living with Eagle
It could also be worth reading up about neuroplasticity to help understand pain & pain pathways, @Chrickychricky has posted some info & links:
Feeling lost, unheard - General - Living with Eagle
The Science Behind the Symptoms is a great podcast. Attaching a link to an episode on POTS - General - Living with Eagle
Don’t be fobbed off by doctors, keep going back, and read up as much as you can on medications- be your own advocate, explain how much pain you’re in, and how bad it makes you feel. Keeping a journal of your pain can be helpful too; as a reminder of what symptoms you have and when, although it is common for symptoms to come and go seemingly without reason.