Back Spasms?????

[Suzzie205]

First off I want to say how sorry I am for this being so long,I will try to brief it down. In Sept of 06 I went in for a chiropractic adjustment. Shortly there after I was in the worst pain I had ever been in. Though PT I am alot better pain wise, not gone just better. I was told by the PT that T4-T-6 has muscle damage. I went to PT 34 times and am still having these spasms.

To this day I still have what I can only call spasms for lack of a better name. They are not painful, just send this odd surge through my left side monentairly, some are worse than others. I average 1- 3 of these a day.

I have had neck & back xrays, a bone scan & MRI.Nothing is showing up. These spasms radiate from my left shoulder blade area and go all the way up and down my back. Sometimes the sensation is so bad I feel like I could wet myself.

I have been seen by 3 rehumatoriod arthirist Drs. found nothing wrong. I have been to a Neurologist ,found nothing wrong. This seems so crazy to me.

When I finally have a few good days in a row I try very simple exercises for about 3 minutes and within 2 days I am back in pain again. This has totally wore me out.

I don't understand why no one has found the problem. I did go  to an Orthopedtic Specialists over a year ago that said that I was severly sprianed & strained from the chiropractic adjustments, But that was over a year ago, you'd think I would be better by now.

LIke I said I have narrowed these odd sensations to somewhwere around my left shoulder blade area. You get no warning that you are going to have one they just happen, there for I am not driving very much as I am very afraid of having one of these behind the wheel of the car. I can get them sitting doing nothing, standing, moving, reaching or just doing nothing at all and they will come on.

Has anyone ever heard of this before? I am presently seeing an accupuncturists and now my spasms are down to 0 -2 per day, but not gone. Last month I had 47 of these darn things.

Please! Please! I want my life back and my freedom, does anyone know what this is? By the was they are not painful just scary. I am now on Klonipin for the anxiety this has caused my. I was a very active person before all this.

Thanks soooooooooo much for any thoughs!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zak_Han]

"This will soon be 2 years old, shouldn't I have healed if this is inflammation by now? Doesn't most soft tissue damage heal by now?"
_____The soft tissue injuries which I said  is chronic damage due to acute injuries,These injuries can last for long time and  become worse over time and lead to muscle spasms,as poor circulation.It is hard to heal itself.

And also why would one day I feel great and like I can do anything then in a couple of days everything is flared up again?
____ Yes,it makes sense,As you know,the soft tissue injuries mainly lead to inflamed tissue,more inflamed tissue adhere each other,more spasms or pain come about,If it is less adhesive due to better circulation or effective exercise,then you would feel great!
That's why acupuncture works,as acupuncture good at circulation improving.

I will answer your question/ concerns to the best of my abilities, I am limited in not having the opportunity to perform a full  examination on you, nor am I able to review the pertinent imaging.
Take care!

[Suzzie205]

Thank you for your response. I have another question. This injury did happen in Sept of 2006. The spasms started right away. This will soon be 2 years old, shouldn't I have healed if this is inflamation by now? Doesn't most soft tissue damage heal by now? And also why would one day I feel great and like I can do anything then in a couple of days everything is flared up again? This is making no sense. If something is wrong wouldn't it hurt the same every day? Sometimes when I exercise I feel a great deal of improvement then the next time it has totally trashed me out. I just don't understand all these day to day changes. Please explain if you can. Thank you in advance!

[Zak_Han]

It sounds like what you're describing is neck soft tissue inflammation due to chronic injuries, which can become worse over time and lead to muscle spasms. Given the functional limitations it's now placing on you,

It is a common misconception that back spasms always stems from the pressure of a slipped disc or a trapped nerve.  This is misleading, the main cause of spasms  is inflammation stimulating tissue, causing the muscle spasms.So ,your MRI would be "normal"

It probably is time to consult with a reputable medical acupuncturist, as deep and intensive acupuncture can help it(Not general acupuncture). Do Acupuncture works for you or not?,It dependent on where the inflammation is , Acupuncture works well when the inflammation is outside of the spinal column.  Acupuncture does not work when the inflammation is in the spinal column itself. That's why you should go to see good acupuncturist who can know it.

Best wish to you!