6 min read | Pain science

The PZ Comics- Issue #1

Written by Natasja Azad
Graphics by Pranali Oswal
Audio by Natasja Azad, Janhavi Atre, Param Sampat, Vansh Pathak

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Meet Harry, our dashing 22-year-old graduate, who injured his neck while playing a game of football five years ago. When asked the details of the game, Harry tends to go into an angry meltdown of how unfair the outcome of the match was. His current life goals include: amping up his cardio gym training, working for an MNC, and defeating that footballer who caused his fall. 

Recovering from his lost match, bruised ego, and jolty neck, Harry now is the wicket-keeper for his hometown cricket team. He treats the ongoing low-grade pain, stiff movements, and mild dizziness as a daily inconvenience.  

But, after a particularly long game of league of legends, he’s back at his usual physiotherapy clinic complaining of increased neck soreness.

Harry: Doctor, this time it’s really bad. Your last treatment of manual therapy didn’t really help. Now, I have to start applying for jobs online but this neck pain makes it difficult to work on my laptop. Give me some different exercises, please.

Doctor: Oh Harry, I advised you to not play those video games of yours for such long periods. The pain will only worsen with increased strain on your neck.  Let’s try some other manual therapy techniques, shall we?

10 months later

Alas, Harry’s pain has returned back with a vengeance. 

A quick search on “PT doctors near me for irritating neck pain” gives him the contact info for a Dr. Physio Zest. After years of discomfort, he’s skeptical about new doctors but still goes ahead and schedules an appointment with Dr. PZ.

The next week, at Dr. PZ’s Clinic, Harry has just finished narrating his story.

Harry: So what do you think doctor? 

Dr. PZ: Hold up Harry, let’s get a few tests done first. Do you mind sitting on the plinth for that?

Harry: Sure why not!

Harry gets up with a start, hopeful for his treatment, and feels a little dizzy. He grabs onto the plinth for support before making himself comfortable on it. 

Dr. PZ, of course, notices this.

Dr. PZ: Oh, careful there Harry! Did you trip on something just now?

Harry: No, no. I was just dizzy for a second. I do get a little lightheaded when I get up with a jerk. It’s just something genetic, I guess. My mom has it too! 

Harry laughs off Dr. Pz’s concern.

Dr. PZ: (skeptically) Genetic? 

Dr. PZ: And do you feel anything else out of the ordinary? Any numbness or tingling?

Harry: No, nothing abnormal. Though my left hand weirdly tingles at times. 

Dr. PZ: You know what, Harry? Let’s do some extra tests. We might just find something new here. 

After the tests,

Harry: Oh Doc, that was tough. My neck feels sorer than it did before. I hate this constant pain, it makes me feel so weak. Is the treatment going to ensure that I don’t have this neck pain anymore?

Dr. PZ:  Why, Harry? Why hate how your body communicates with you? Your very pain guided you here today.  As far as the treatment goes, we’ll have to decide on your goal. What do you want, pain-free living or full functionality?

Harry: Full functionality, of course. I want to get back on the field. Please tell me what I can do for that to happen. That’s my goal!

End scene- 

1 year later 

Commentator: (at the arena) Andddd ladies and gentlemen, we have a very different outcome today than what we had 6 years ago. Our Harry has defeated the Puma Pythons with 2 out of the 3 goals in his pocket.  Here we have him speaking to our lead anchor about this magnificent victory.

Lead anchor: Harry, it’s so great to see you playing for your city after six years, especially after that gruesome fall you had the last time you were here. You must be feeling a multitude of emotions after this win. Can you describe it for us?

Harry: (laughing) well, I’m giddy right now. And the good thing is that it has got nothing to do with that painful trauma. I am also incredibly grateful for everything that went down. Oh man, if you would’ve mentioned the fall six years ago, I would’ve chewed your ear off. But now, I’ve come to understand that it happened and I’ve accepted it. I was in a lot of pain, you know,  for a very long time.  

Lead anchor: Oh, that sounds horrible! How did you play today with all of that?

Harry: My PT has given me all these exercises to do regularly, thanks to which my neck is as strong as ever. Also, I think, I simply changed gears, understood the pain rather than being afraid of it, and listened to my body more.

That reminds me, (looking at the camera) Dr. PZ, I hope you’re seeing this and noticing how I’m holding the mic. Following your instructions to the T.  

And can we somehow ensure my boss doesn’t see this? I’ve taken a false sick leave!

References

  1.  Rehab My Patient Cervical Proprioception LASER Points In Range Rotation Eyes Closed – YouTube. Available from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvn-7szFuxQ[last accessed 28/06/18]
  2. ↑ Rehab My Patient Cervical Proprioception LASER Points In Range Extension Eyes Open 2 – YouTube. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e21TaQm70w[last accessed 28/06/18]
  3.  Treleaven J. Dizziness, unsteadiness, visual disturbances, and sensorimotor control in traumatic neck pain. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2017 Jul;47(7):492-502. [Accessed 26 June 2018] Available from: https://www.jospt.org/doi/pdf/10.2519/jospt.2017.7052
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  11. Hoppenfeld, Stanley. Physical Examination of the Spine & Extremities. Pg 126- 127.
  12. Wainner RS, Gill H. Diagnosis and nonoperative management of cervical radiculopathy. J Ortho Sports PT.2000 Dec;30(12):728-744.

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