Question

Like many people with ME I have quite a lot of muscle and joint pain – especially around the neck and shoulders. One of my friends with ME says that this is called ‘coat-hanger pain’ – a name that neither I nor my GP have heard of before. So what is ‘coat hanger pain? And is it linked to ME?

Answer

Coat-hanger pain is a term that is used to describe a dull ache or pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back, sometimes extending to the back of the head. So the location mimics the shape of a coat hanger. Other symptoms can include stiffness or cramping, headaches and dizziness.

It is often associated with conditions like ME/CFS that involve dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system – a part of the nervous system that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure – where this results in orthostatic intolerance and PoTS/postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It can also occur in people who have hypermobility syndromes like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – which again are more common if you have ME/CFS.

Over the counter and prescription only pain killers that are used for other types of ME/CFS related pain may be helpful here but there is no really effective drug treatment. Non-drug approaches such as a TENS machine or acupuncture may also be worth trying.

Self-help management approaches that may help include adjusting posture, staying hydrated, using heat pads or cold compresses, gentle stretching, massage, and compression garments.

See More: TENS machines for pain management