Muscle Spasms

[lieb2101]

Hey Everyone,

Things are still going well but I hit an interesting bump tonight. I've been having back muscle problems since getting out of surgery and tonight I had a good scare. I've been sleeping on the couch, propped up with pillows. Each night, I've been slowly decreasing the incline that I've been sleeping at with the hopes that I will be able to move to the bed soon.

Before bed I accidentally twisted the wrong way and I felt a sickening pop or click of my breastbone, letting me know that I was far from healed, no matter how great I felt. I had a hard time getting comfortable after that. After about 2 hours of sleep, I woke up with shooting pain in my back on the left side and some tightness in my chest if I tried to pull my shoulders back. I was freaked out, my pain was up to about 8 or 9 and it felt like I had been shot! I was so afraid that something was very wrong. Then I noticed that if I moved around a little or re-positioned myself, the pain went away. I checked my vitals and everything was normal. I didn't feel dizzy, or numb anywhere and I still could stand up and move around. However, if I moved my shoulders the wrong way, the pain came back, and STRONG.

I've got this device called a "therea-cane" that allows you to apply point pressure to your back, kind of liked a knobby shepherds crook. I used that and I was able to locate the muscle that was giving me issues, around and under my left shoulder blade. I worked on it a little, and I've been able to get the pain down substantially but it still comes back after time if I don't work on it.
I asked the doc about getting a massage the other day and they said "no way". I've got to do something! It's bad when the majority of my pain is from back muscle
As for therapy, I've been using Tiger Balm (like a natural icy hot): http://www.tigerbalm.com/
the thera-cane: http://www.theracane.com/
I also tried my father in-law's Tens Unit for electro-stimulaton.

Nothing seems to work more than on just a temporary basis and the muscle spasm are getting worse. Even the Oxycodone doesn't seem to touch this!

Anyone have any suggestions?

-Brian

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I suggest you ask your Doc WHY he said NO to Massage.

MANY of us have found Massage to be the Fastest and Best route to relief from Muscle Pain.

My S.O. uses a Vibrating Disk Massager, running it up and down the long muscles of my back from shoulder to waist. Following surgery, these muscles would get extremely tight and Extremely Painful. The vibrating disk massager relaxed them in a minute or so.

STRETCHES are also helpful for long term re-conditioning of the muscles and provide 'some' relief from the pain but not as fast or as relieving as the massager.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[BackDoc]

"to try chiropractic, I suggest looking for a chiropractor who uses the BEST method or who will treat you with only an activator"

Activator is not the only low velocity adjusting instrument that Chiropractors use. Activator was the first, and is perhaps a bit outdated at this point in time.

Other, more up-to-date instruments include the Impulse (which I use in my practice), the Arthostim, and the Vibrocussor.

Any of these might be appropriate.

While BEST technique is non-force, it might me hard to find a chiropractor who uses this, as only about 800-1,000 chiropractors in North America use this technique.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The List of Alternatives seems to imply a DELAY in relief, either from waiting for Medication to 'kick in' or finding and getting to a trained therapist, especially outside of 'office hours'.

This makes our 'old fashioned' Vibrating Disk Massager even more appealing for several reasons:

Relief comes QUICKLY.

A trained therapist is NOT needed.

There is NO pounding, pushing, or pulling.

The unit is small, portable, and can be used by anyone.

It would probably be wise to ask one's surgeon if he has any objections to the use of a Vibrating Disk Massager, 'just to be sure'.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Jeeb1]

Hi--I was plagued with back pain after my second OHS seven months ago. My husband would rub out the muscle as it was spasming--I would lay on my side or sit up. But, the thing that helped the most was a heating pad. My cardiologist suggested it and it has been a godsend. Even now, seven months out, I still use the heating pad on my upper back when I come home from work and am hurting.

 

[lieb2101]

Jeeb1, Thanks!!!

Heating pad for the WIN!! I can't believe that I didn't think of it earlier. I used a heating pad on my back while watching the game last night and everything loosened up. At least enough for me to actually sleep without drugging myself to oblivion

I'm going to call the doc today to see if he'll let me visit my chiropractor. I've got a really good one who does muscle therapy as well. We'll see but at least I can keep it manageable now.

Thanks everyone,
Brian