View Full Version : Chronic pain and long hair
Tori Angeli
July 18th, 2013, 09:57 AM
I've been repeatedly told, as someone who has chronic pain (I'm in the slow process of being diagnosed, almost certainly with FMS), that the weight of long hair aggravates the pain. But since I sometimes feel like the rest of my body is "secretly ugly" because of the pain, my hair is the one part of my body I really feel good about. It makes me feel beautiful, and that's something I really need on the bad days.
I know I'm not the only one here with these kinds of issues, and I haven't found a thread like this, so here it is. How do you manage long hair with chronic pain?
Here are some things I do:
1. CO-wash and deep condition with oils. The softer my hair is, the less it aggravates my skin when it's down, and my skin can be quite painful to the touch (I do not wear long sleeves anymore).
2. Layers to keep the weight down.
3. Learning to massage my scalp while lying on my bed with my head off the edge, exposing my roots and allowing me to rest my arms.
4. Braided updos. They distribute the weight more around my head than regular buns or ponytails and therefore are less likely to hurt my neck and back. A braided cinnamon bun is somehow okay while a regular cinnamon bun hurts.
5. Sitting down in the shower.
6. Learn as many quick updos as possible. If it takes fifteen minutes...no. Just no. Five minutes tops. I cannot hold my arms over my head for very long. Have an arsenal of styles like these and save the complex updos for good days.
7. If you have a friend or relative nearby, offer them the opportunity to braid your hair in the morning. I know lots of people who love to get their hands in other peoples' long beautiful hair, and having someone else put your hair up for you is a great way to "cheat" on a bad day.
8. Turban hair in a T-shirt instead of a big heavy towel. I know most people here probably do something like this, but this is another good reason to do it.
9. If you're having a bad day and don't have the energy to put your hair up or someone to help you with it, leave it down. Or if you want it out of your face, braid it only partway in one or two English braids, or pull it half back and clip it.
What do you do?
ravenreed
July 18th, 2013, 10:24 AM
I also have layers to reduce weight. If my hair is bugging me too much for an updo or every attempt to braid is pulling painfully, I just wear it in a very loose ponytail. I used to get so itchy and annoyed by split ends poking me through my clothing that I have made it a priority to reduce them as much as possible. I now have very few to worry about.
dulce
July 18th, 2013, 11:05 AM
I tore my shoulder rotators twice in the last few years so had to find easy ways to do my hair,I wash in the shower upright,I don't put hair upside down like I used to.I air dry or use a floorfan[leaves arms free]I do a caterpillar or front shoulder braid and use a African butterfly clip to put up-all easy on my arms and fast.Sometimes all it takes is wanting to keep your long hair and being creative,as for weight ,you can keep the hair weight down by cutting layers and having a v hem. Best of luck!
Tori Angeli
July 18th, 2013, 11:12 AM
Oh yes, another great thing about braided buns is that if you lean back against them, they're pretty hard to mess up. Updos should never mess up your posture. No slumping forward to keep your hair in place.
chen bao jun
July 18th, 2013, 01:04 PM
My neighbour had chronic neck pain and her doctors and therapists suggested that it was because of her hair (ankle length). she cut it all off to a pixie. she still has the pain, it didn't get any better. She has a pinched nerve and some disk problems, nothing to do with the weight of her hair.
she looks terrible in a pixie, aged her at least 10 years. I still can't get used to it although she has had the pixie 5 years now. she was one of those women whose great asset in terms of looks was her hair--very pretty with beautiful dark, silky hair--and its like she's not the same person, instant unattractiveness, I wouldn't have believed what a change it made.
Her daughter is trying to grow to her feet now though.
PrincessBob
July 18th, 2013, 02:58 PM
I use snoods, when it all hurts too much. Hair taping thick hair is actually a very quick solution to getting it out of the way. Thinner hair is actually more effort to tape because you have to go around more times and closer together.
I am so tender of scalp that I generally don't allow anyone but myself access to my hair, but I have been working on this with my spouse.
I pretty much only wear tank tops, so my hair frequently gets caught on the slider on my tank top/bra straps. What a pain in the butt! I would like to find a good headband to keep it out of my face without sending shooting pain down my neck from the pressure of it on my head.
I cut my hair as a child in part due to migraine pain. Kept it short for way longer than I wish I had. Eventually shaved the underside for years no change in the frequency of the headaches. Only time my hair will actively cause the migraine is if i have it up in a high ponytail. Updos can be too heavy for a body already dealing with pain, but I much rather the long hair.
I try to make sure all my updos can be slept on, even if the toys keeping the hair in place cannot. I will keep most accessories simple to remove, so I can just slip out the accessory and drop it on the nightstand and worry abou updo deconstruction in the morning.
PrincessBob
July 18th, 2013, 03:38 PM
This also means I do not use Hair spray. Beside the fumes making me nauseous and headachey, it is way more time than I have energy for detangling.
I hurt all the time, and frequently need to take a nap. Sometimes I cannot even read for the pain.
Hair forks placed sideways on the head also distributes weight and tension. I find the tangle teezer to be a time saver and a hair saver.
Be patient. If it's worth having, it's worth caring for. Let your hair become a hobby, so it doesn't become a hated chore.
Practice simplified versions of a fashionable hairstyle. Make the braid looser and the sections chunkier to make the braiding happen more swiftly. Put your hair in a regular bun and make just one small accent braid for classy occasions, rather than a frothy bouffant.
Skip the bumpit and discontinue using barrettes that scratch your scalp. Irritation like this is just going to make it worse. If it is useable by others, then swap it. If not trash it, or turn it into a display item.
Make two buns to distribute the weight of your hair.
Get a seamless detangling comb and pre-brushing use the comb thusly: section your hair at least in half and pull one section over your shoulder to the front for easy access. Now, starting at the ends hold the teeth at a slightly downward angle and if you encounter a snarl, allow the comb to pivot by the teeth so they are pointing upward and allow the comb to slide out of the air above the snarl, repeat a little lower until the snarl comes free.
Move your hand holding the comb an inch or two higher up the length and insert the comb again angling the teeth slightly down, once more, and repeat as before. If you come across a difficult knot gently fann it out with your fingers and loosen individual airs until the knot is undone. Once you have done this section swing it behind your shoulder and draw the other section forward over your other shoulder. Repeat all of the above.
Now you can brush it neatly with minimum stress on your arms. I will often take a break in between.
To avoid uncomfortable waiting room chairs, have a friend trim your hair. If you start hurting, you can take a break. Most salons wont understand why the client keeps shifting in the chair. Plus you'll want to shower right away (preferably seated). All those hairs in your clothes are a recipe for flare up.
With Fibro many doctors want you to be taking plenty of supplements anyway, so go ahead and drink an extra glass of water after you take your pills. The extra hydration won't hurt and its a good way to remember to do it.
The best part about a snood is it can cover up second day updos if you just forgot to run the brush through that morning and you have to be somewhere. The more frustrating aspects of ableism when you don't look like people imagine sick people to look. How can I be in pain when my hair is all types of intricate? I cheat. Okay? I learn tricks; I use my hair's attributes to my advantage. I plan ahead and do my hair in sections during the day if I need to be somewhere nice that night.
I splurge my spoons on me time, but I also stretch my washes so I can afford to do so. Rather than a 45 minute soak and 20 minute rinse every other day, it's a quick rinse with a shower cap on when I need it. And a 45 minute soak and 20 minute rinse once a week.
I have way more issues with chronic pain and physical intimacy than I do with chronic pain and my mid thigh length hair.
lapushka
July 18th, 2013, 03:41 PM
Long hair is just easier to deal with, because it doesn't require daily "styling". It's either long hair or be bald, and that sure as hell isn't an option.
Tori Angeli
July 18th, 2013, 06:30 PM
PrincessBob, I certainly don't expect a hairstylist to understand why I have to ask her to pause so I can change position, but they're not generally going to pester me or refuse to continue cutting simply because they don't understand why I shifted. All your tips are fantastic, by the way. I'm a sweet almond oil addict, and a huge reason is so that detangling (with a wide-toothed comb or my fingers) takes a matter of seconds instead of being an exhausting affair. Shortly after I started co-washing, I gave up cones completely and realized without the cones (which make my roots look greasy), I needed something else to give my hair slip. That was when I started DC-ing with oils, and my hair has as much slip now as it had when I used the cones, and considerably more shine and softness to touch--an important thing on days when I feel like anything I touch, including the clothes I'm wearing, rubs my skin raw.
Thinking of hair as a hobby rather than a chore is a beautiful viewpoint, and that's how I've been looking at it. Some people have gardens, I have a head full of hair. I think it's important to have things like that that you feel good about, and which people can compliment you on, when the pain can be so very depressing.
I noticed you referred to the spoon analogy. I shared that one with my parents and it helped us see eye to eye. For Christmas, my mother gave me a pack of baby spoons "for days when I need just that little bit of extra energy."
zashin66
November 11th, 2021, 12:17 AM
This is a great thread for those of us with the long hair dream and chronic pain issues
AmaryllisRed
November 11th, 2021, 08:00 AM
My neighbour had chronic neck pain and her doctors and therapists suggested that it was because of her hair (ankle length). she cut it all off to a pixie. she still has the pain, it didn't get any better. She has a pinched nerve and some disk problems, nothing to do with the weight of her hair.
she looks terrible in a pixie, aged her at least 10 years. I still can't get used to it although she has had the pixie 5 years now. she was one of those women whose great asset in terms of looks was her hair--very pretty with beautiful dark, silky hair--and its like she's not the same person, instant unattractiveness, I wouldn't have believed what a change it made.
Her daughter is trying to grow to her feet now though.
I'm so afraid of a doctor telling me to cut my hair if they see how long it is. And I know I've seen other people on here say they had headaches or neck pain, cut their hair, and found no relief.
This also means I do not use Hair spray. Beside the fumes making me nauseous and headachey, it is way more time than I have energy for detangling.
I hurt all the time, and frequently need to take a nap. Sometimes I cannot even read for the pain.
Hair forks placed sideways on the head also distributes weight and tension. I find the tangle teezer to be a time saver and a hair saver.
Be patient. If it's worth having, it's worth caring for. Let your hair become a hobby, so it doesn't become a hated chore.
Practice simplified versions of a fashionable hairstyle. Make the braid looser and the sections chunkier to make the braiding happen more swiftly. Put your hair in a regular bun and make just one small accent braid for classy occasions, rather than a frothy bouffant.
Skip the bumpit and discontinue using barrettes that scratch your scalp. Irritation like this is just going to make it worse. If it is useable by others, then swap it. If not trash it, or turn it into a display item.
Make two buns to distribute the weight of your hair.
Get a seamless detangling comb and pre-brushing use the comb thusly: section your hair at least in half and pull one section over your shoulder to the front for easy access. Now, starting at the ends hold the teeth at a slightly downward angle and if you encounter a snarl, allow the comb to pivot by the teeth so they are pointing upward and allow the comb to slide out of the air above the snarl, repeat a little lower until the snarl comes free.
Move your hand holding the comb an inch or two higher up the length and insert the comb again angling the teeth slightly down, once more, and repeat as before. If you come across a difficult knot gently fann it out with your fingers and loosen individual airs until the knot is undone. Once you have done this section swing it behind your shoulder and draw the other section forward over your other shoulder. Repeat all of the above.
Now you can brush it neatly with minimum stress on your arms. I will often take a break in between.
To avoid uncomfortable waiting room chairs, have a friend trim your hair. If you start hurting, you can take a break. Most salons wont understand why the client keeps shifting in the chair. Plus you'll want to shower right away (preferably seated). All those hairs in your clothes are a recipe for flare up.
With Fibro many doctors want you to be taking plenty of supplements anyway, so go ahead and drink an extra glass of water after you take your pills. The extra hydration won't hurt and its a good way to remember to do it.
The best part about a snood is it can cover up second day updos if you just forgot to run the brush through that morning and you have to be somewhere. The more frustrating aspects of ableism when you don't look like people imagine sick people to look. How can I be in pain when my hair is all types of intricate? I cheat. Okay? I learn tricks; I use my hair's attributes to my advantage. I plan ahead and do my hair in sections during the day if I need to be somewhere nice that night.
I splurge my spoons on me time, but I also stretch my washes so I can afford to do so. Rather than a 45 minute soak and 20 minute rinse every other day, it's a quick rinse with a shower cap on when I need it. And a 45 minute soak and 20 minute rinse once a week.
I have way more issues with chronic pain and physical intimacy than I do with chronic pain and my mid thigh length hair.
So much good advice!
Lapushka, thanks for linking to this thread. I don't remember seeing it before and it's helpful.
lapushka
November 11th, 2021, 05:07 PM
I'm so afraid of a doctor telling me to cut my hair if they see how long it is. And I know I've seen other people on here say they had headaches or neck pain, cut their hair, and found no relief.
So much good advice!
Lapushka, thanks for linking to this thread. I don't remember seeing it before and it's helpful.
You're welcome! :D
shelomit
November 11th, 2021, 07:14 PM
I've had chronic pain my whole life (congenital spinal deformity). Happily, it doesn't really affect my head, so nobody has thought to blame my hair ( ; There are definitely affects, though. My range of motion is much more limited in my right arm than my left, so I pretty much have no hope of doing, e.g., a pair of Dutch braids that are even and symmetrical. I had a bad flare-up recently after being rattled around the car while driving cross-country. For a couple of weeks, I only had the oomph to wet my hair down, braid it in the shower, and put it up in a single-stick bun for a few days at a time. Certainly less effort/bone crunchiness than putting in and taking out a new hairdo every day : P
draysmir
January 8th, 2022, 10:53 AM
I'm so afraid of a doctor telling me to cut my hair if they see how long it is. And I know I've seen other people on here say they had headaches or neck pain, cut their hair, and found no relief.
I was worried about comments from my doctor as well. They've seen me with my braid down multiple times though and have never suggested it may affect my pain, which is nice.
Cutting in curtain bangs was helpful actually. My bangs went down to about my waist before. Since cutting my bangs, they don't get pulled down by my braid, and aren't feeling tension anymore, so it has helped my headaches a bit.
Not sure where else to ask this question lol... does anyone else regularly use a heating pad for their back? Are they hot enough to cause heat damage on your hair? I usually have my braid pulled infront of me, or have my hair scarfed when I use a heating pad, since I am always worried about potential heat damage. I have no idea how hot heating pads can get compared to hair heat tools. :hmm:
lapushka
January 8th, 2022, 11:36 AM
I was worried about comments from my doctor as well. They've seen me with my braid down multiple times though and have never suggested it may affect my pain, which is nice.
Cutting in curtain bangs was helpful actually. My bangs went down to about my waist before. Since cutting my bangs, they don't get pulled down by my braid, and aren't feeling tension anymore, so it has helped my headaches a bit.
Not sure where else to ask this question lol... does anyone else regularly use a heating pad for their back? Are they hot enough to cause heat damage on your hair? I usually have my braid pulled infront of me, or have my hair scarfed when I use a heating pad, since I am always worried about potential heat damage. I have no idea how hot heating pads can get compared to hair heat tools. :hmm:
If it's not "burning" hot, so much so that you have to put a towel around it, it's fine. And if the towel is around it, even better.
AmaryllisRed
January 8th, 2022, 12:12 PM
I was worried about comments from my doctor as well. They've seen me with my braid down multiple times though and have never suggested it may affect my pain, which is nice.
Cutting in curtain bangs was helpful actually. My bangs went down to about my waist before. Since cutting my bangs, they don't get pulled down by my braid, and aren't feeling tension anymore, so it has helped my headaches a bit.
Not sure where else to ask this question lol... does anyone else regularly use a heating pad for their back? Are they hot enough to cause heat damage on your hair? I usually have my braid pulled infront of me, or have my hair scarfed when I use a heating pad, since I am always worried about potential heat damage. I have no idea how hot heating pads can get compared to hair heat tools. :hmm:
Thanks, that's good to know. I did end up cutting mine and it has helped with pain, just in that I don't need to wear it up as much.
I keep bangs for that reason, too. They hurt pulled back, so it's nice to be able to let them down.
draysmir
January 14th, 2022, 08:25 AM
If it's not "burning" hot, so much so that you have to put a towel around it, it's fine. And if the towel is around it, even better.
That is nice to know, thank you. :)
Thanks, that's good to know. I did end up cutting mine and it has helped with pain, just in that I don't need to wear it up as much.
I keep bangs for that reason, too. They hurt pulled back, so it's nice to be able to let them down.
:thumbsup: Yes the bangs for sure help, I wish I had thought to cut them in sooner.
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