Shermer's Neck
Monday, August 16, 2010 at 06:55AM 
Shermer's Neck Meets Dr Bob Clinton
"Shermer's Neck typically starts between 300 and 1,000 miles into ultra distance racing. In all cases the onset is sudden. From the time of first pain and weakness, the neck usually gives out within two to three hours. Symptoms always start in the back of the neck. The head feels heavy and the cyclist can't look up without assistance from a mechanical device. Once a cyclist gets Shermer's Neck, it is unlikely to leave for the remainder of the race. For those who are prepared, specially designed head gear and neck braces have been created. Shermer's Neck is a recurring nightmare for those who have experienced it." (Source: Ultracycling News. Walter Libby/Sue Morris)
In 2009 I was forced to abandon the world's toughest cycling race 1560 miles in to the Race Across America (RAAM), succumbing to the debilitating effects of Shermer 's Neck and a follow on bike crash. Through consultation with my chiropractor and massage therapist, we determined that my encounter with Shermer' s Neck was brought on by having a forward head posture slightly forward of the spine rather than in line with it, which makes it harder to hold the head up and doubles the strain on the neck and shoulder muscles. I was determined to return to compete in RAAM, and I did so with help from an unlikely source: a dentist by the name of Robert (Bob) Clinton www.clintondentistry.com and the Pure Power Mouthguard (PPM).
The science of neuromuscular dentistry clearly describes most of the problems that cyclists encounter and goes one step further by identifying the origins of misalignment and providing corrective solutions to prevent shoulder pain and neck failure.
I have always been motivated by the risk of failure and more accurately, what I do when facing failure. I've always believed that if I push myself hard enough, eventually I will identify a point of failure and an opportunity to become stronger. I can say that RAAM exposes all weaknesses, mental, physical and emotional, and so I have found the venue. Shermer's Neck is a horrible experience, and I have never met anyone who has successfully come back from it's effects. I have seen first hand those ultra athletes who brace themselves up in all sorts of devices in order to work through it's effects, and I was not looking forward to having to do the same RAAM 2010, but I knew I had to try. Jackie found the PPM through research and insisted that we further investigate it's claims. I was skeptical at first, but the thought of riding the final 1000 miles of RAAM in a neck brace motivated me to give it a try.
We visited the PPM website www.makkaradvantage.com to find a PPM certified dentist, and fortunate for us, we found Dr Bob Clinton in Sydenham Ontario. He took us in on very short notice, and within minutes he was convinced that the symptoms I described as "Shermer's Neck" could be alleviated by proper jaw alignment at the neuromuscular level. Honestly, I was only motivated to successfully complete RAAM; Bob, on the other hand, was and is focussed on quality health and well being and has devoted his professional life to the science of neuromuscular dentistry. Over the years I have had my share of restorative dental work including a broken jaw, and I learned that these traumas have negative effects on the spine's natural alignment. It goes without saying that a misaligned spine creates all sorts of maladies including a hinderance to athletic performance. The strain and pressure I have exerted on my facial and jaw muscles while working hard on the bike have contributed to my tight neck and shoulder muscles, with limiting effects on my performance; that much was clear to me. Bob and I met in the middle, and I agreed to commit and give the Elite PPM a try. I told Bob that I would put the PPM and all of it's performance claims the ultimate test - RAAM.
In my mind, having money safely stored in my bank account is of little value to me during times such as RAAM where physical and mental strength are the only currencies that enable success, so I was willing to invest financially in the PPM if it could deliver on it's claims. That very day in Bob's clinic I went through the painless process of TENSing: relaxing and aligning the jaw, followed by a custom fitting. The day before I left for RAAM my PPM showed up in the mail. The results for me were instant. I returned to compete in RAAM in 2010 with my Elite PPM and surpassed expectations with a personal best performance, I felt strong and well balanced throughout the race's 3000 miles and I credit my superior alignment and body posture permitted by my PPM as chief enablers.
Epilogue: Like most people I seem to carry stress in my neck and shoulders, the result of a life of ultra distance training and racing, exacerbated by the wearing of cumbersome headsets and flying helmets, and school and office work on computers. Since using the PPM in training post RAAM I notice a difference in my balance and strength, and I am a lot more relaxed in my upper body. I paid full value for my Elite PPM and it was worth every penny to me. There are no short cuts in training and racing, the PPM did not do RAAM, I did. I had to do the work in training and in racing. The point is that I am able to do so, unimpeded by avoidable misalignments, addressed by what appears on the surface to be a most unlikely of resources: a quality dentist. Thanks Bob.
An article on the PPM has since appeared in the August 2010 edition of Men's Journal, pg 63.
Reader Comments (16)
Found this really interesting. I heard Dr. Makkar interviewed on CBC a couple years ago.
Great to read how you were helped by PPM.
Thanks Tony for sharing your experiences with the PPM. Your testimonials will help more athletes I'm sure. Bob is a great guy....we are so fortunate to have him in our own backyard....spread the word in Ottawa...
Superb testimonial, the applications are quite interesting not only in sports and performance, but in personal health. Thank you.
Tony, we followed you across the US during RAAM this year. We were hooked. I am a cyclist hoping to attempt the RAW, though I have been intimidated by the immense challenges, Thank you for your candid reports, I am looking forward to your next post. Good luck in 2011.
I am considering ultra cycling races, thank you for your report, Where is race repor 3?
I am looking for a documentary that I watched a few years ago. I think it was Tony O'keefe's 2005 RAAM. Does this video exist, if so, where would I be able to find it?
Thanks,
Karen
Nice to know that a lot of people still see their childhood dentists even though they are now teens or adults.
dentist
Wow! A dentist that participates in Triathlon and Ironman events? I find that cool.
I am not a tri-athlete but I am an avid jogger and runner. My hurting back limited me to inactivity. Also had to consult a chiropractor and massage therapist to help relieve my hurting back in many sessions.
In every difficulties lies opportunities. I am proud to see my buddy professionnal and personnal achievement. Remember when we we did our first triathlon together.... You are my friend and my hero. Keep touch young man.
Love to you and your great familly
Freind always
Gilles
Dear Friends,
Many thanks for your comments, and my apologies for my late and missing replies. Shortly after RAAM 2010 I received a short notice year long posting to Kabul Afghanistan, in service with the Canadian Forces. This was an experience I shall not soon forget, however, I am equally delighted to be on home soil again and look forward to picking up where I have left off.
I do have copies of the 2006 RAAM documentary for anyone who is interested, just send me an email with your address and I'll get one out to you.
The man, the myth, the legend Gilles Chausse has surface after way too many years - Gilles, please send me an email.
Yours, Tony.
Most might not know but this condition was Michael Shermer. He had tried acupuncture, massage therapy and others with the exception of drugs to improve his training.
xlpharmacy
but the degree of but can be slow, so long is the only turtle locations should also climb the north face on their positions, and can actually north face fleece clearance Russian striker who was kind enough to the north face of forces separated by several hundred meters, but probably a snail's degree This has, however, although the locations of their forces advancing slowly, but the locations of their fierce shelling is scary from the Russian invasion army began to move to now,
the most suitable for wearing casually and playing basketball, jordan 11 cool grey were eventually released in 2001 and re-retro'd in 2009 with the nickname "jordan space jams". Another version of the XI's were released on December 23, 2010 called the "jordan cool grey".the jordan cool grey 11 has very strong ground control. which is also one of the best capacity with perfectly understandable.
Authentic discount mac cosmetics at mac cosmetics outlet. There are many mac cosmetics wholesale, such as mac brushes set, mac eyeshadows.
Cheap fashion oakley sunglasses sale, only 12 dallors. My friends are enjoying discount oakley sunglasses on this oakley sunglasses wholesale online shop.