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Muscle knots, back, neck and shoulder joint injuries
I don't know if anyone can help me or not. Maybe I just need to write about this so I can get it out of my system and have a really good cry. In February 2005, I couldn't take the muscle spasms and tightness in my neck and shoulder joints any longer. I laid on the floor for TWO HOURS and used one of those hard rubber massage balls with spikes on it to finally rid myself of the pain once and for all all over my back, neck and shoulder joints. As I did this, I was crying with pain. It was a "good" pain, though, like I was finally getting rid of this pain that I'd felt trapped with for so many years. However, since I injured myself with this ball, I have had nothing but problems to the point where I just wish my life was over. Everything is out of whack now with such instability. I think I've injured the muscles which entrap the nerves. A recent left shoulder MRI shows ligament damage, nerve impingement and a possible tear. I have left scapula tingling, pain and instability and thoracic numbness and tingling. My right shoulder joint is also affected but less severely than the left. Several times daily, I need to bend over and traction my head to decompress my spine. As you can imagine, depression has ensued and I see no hope for the future. I put on a good act with friends and co-workers but I go home and isolate myself because I can't keep up the facade 24/7. If anyone can offer some relief, I would appreciate it. Life has lost a lot of its luster.
This discussion is related to Upper Back Pain and tingling/numbness in fingers.
This discussion is related to Upper Back Pain and tingling/numbness in fingers.
I been having problems in my neck and shoudler. get a mri of the c- spine & brain it might be sryingomyelia, a cyst filled with csf . that causes pain. i have a small one they said.
Hi Skinny,
I spotted my user name on this year-old post for Kat, and so I read your new post. I can make some suggestions that you're asking for. Those knots are either your muscles bunched up, or an injury, or some kind of growths have formed there. I would suggest you get a new scan of your back, to rule out any lesions and injury. If it turns out it's just your muscles, you need professional massage treatments, get the Swedish kind of masseuse, and he should be able to work those out for you.
Apparently, since physical therapy and orthopedists have been no help to you, I would also suggest you go to a new doctor, a neurologist, for this scan and evaluation. Tell him you have lumps on your back and are in pain and cannot move your head, and ask for a scan and medication. He can then explain the report from the radiologist, and go about either treating any injury to your spine, perhaps surgically, or refer you to another specialist to investigate the lumps. My experience with orthopedists has been if it ain't broke, they will not fix it. But neurologists, they know about nerves and the spine and the brain, all sorts of things, and so I think they will be more responsive and creative about your situation.
GG
I spotted my user name on this year-old post for Kat, and so I read your new post. I can make some suggestions that you're asking for. Those knots are either your muscles bunched up, or an injury, or some kind of growths have formed there. I would suggest you get a new scan of your back, to rule out any lesions and injury. If it turns out it's just your muscles, you need professional massage treatments, get the Swedish kind of masseuse, and he should be able to work those out for you.
Apparently, since physical therapy and orthopedists have been no help to you, I would also suggest you go to a new doctor, a neurologist, for this scan and evaluation. Tell him you have lumps on your back and are in pain and cannot move your head, and ask for a scan and medication. He can then explain the report from the radiologist, and go about either treating any injury to your spine, perhaps surgically, or refer you to another specialist to investigate the lumps. My experience with orthopedists has been if it ain't broke, they will not fix it. But neurologists, they know about nerves and the spine and the brain, all sorts of things, and so I think they will be more responsive and creative about your situation.
GG
I am kinda of in the same place right now. I have gone to thourgh physical therapy four times to no avail. I have gone to dozens of orthopedists and chiropractors with only limited relief. I currently have knots all over my upper back. It feels like to have a strait jacket on. I do not know what to do anymore. I just kind of wanna give up on life. I currently take cymbalta but it provides limited relief if any. Also, my range of motion has greatly decreased. I can barely turn my head. It just ***** I used to be a great athlete and this has made me stop playing sports altogether. Any suggestions out there? I do not know where to turn anymore.
Dear Kat,
I'm sure many people in this forum can relate to your situation. I have similar problems, so I hope some advice I give here might help you deal with this.
First, your post says, "A recent left shoulder MRI shows ligament damage, nerve impingement and a possible tear." It just seems to me that if you have proof of nerve impingement, then by golly, some surgical intervention might relieve the nerve problem, or some sort of treatment can be given to help your injury. The physician who ordered that MRI ought to be able to discuss your options.
Secondly, you need much better medication than you are getting. Lyrica is great, but sometimes you have to up the dose for it to reach maximum potential. I myself reached a plateau at 200mg daily. But, in conjunction with the Lyrica, you should also be on some sort of opiate. They work in very good synergy. I take 100mg of codeine daily with my Lyrica. I cannot tell you how much relief that gives me. If your physician gives you a problem about it, go to a pain clinic or request it from the doc who ordered the MRI.
Thirdly, you must make the logical connection that your pain is directly related to everything else that is goofed up in your life. When I finally got the right drugs on board, along with some slow-down in my routines, my life gradually improved. I had a neurologist who helped me make that mental shift in thought, he showed me how pain prevents a person from thinking clearly. He tapped steadily on my knee with the chart and told me when a person is distracted like that, they can't think about anything else. As he tapped, I could not absorb what he was saying, I became angry, confused, and bingo, I "got it." Before I understood this, I simply did not realize how much my pain affected my concentration, my ability to understand and communicate with other people, and my mood.
Fourthly, there are a few things you can do to improve your discomfort and your life until you get the right drugs you need and the possible surgery or whatever physical intervention you need. I'll begin with solutions for your physical discomfort, and next I'll talk about your life challenges.
I, too, have thoracic pain from breaking my back in a car wreck. I learned a trick that helps, similar to some things you are already doing. I lay flat on my back with my legs up in a chair, scoot up close, arms out to the side. This takes all the pressure off the back and muscles, allowing for relaxation of the thoracic region (between the shoulder blades). And whether you like it or not, you should take the time after work to walk in a natural place, like your yard, or in a park, just somewhere convenient and pleasant. Also, a very warm and leisurely shower or bath is incredibly healing. A couple other very good ideas is to ask a friend to give you a back massage a couple times a week, and also you should seriously consider having acupuncture, which opens the energy pathways in the body to promote healing. These things are not "cures," rather they merely help.
For your life frustrations, you need to do certain things for a while as relates to social interaction. As I said before, you have to realize that your pain is how come you are so unable to act like a regular person. So, when you're around other people, talk less and listen more, put a smile on your face, and excuse yourself from situations that upset you. Second, find a quiet place in your house, sit on the floor and focus on a glass object in the window, breathe deeply, stop your thoughts. Then close your eyes and simply ask what is the problem you need to understand. As you wait for the answer, you will picture a situation, emotion will flood through your body, tears will come, and the exact thing you need to know will make itself clear. You will be amazed at what happens to yourself. And each time you do this, a new revelation will help you.
In conclusion, you have been to hell and back. You have gone through so much. Everything is ruined and you are completely spent. And yet, like many people, you keep trying to do everything like before. Just back off and give yourself a break. You are in terrible shape, so it's okay to count yourself as a sick person. If you have to, put your right arm in a sling, and this will be a visual clue to people that you are physically messed up, and they'll give you your space and be much nicer. When others ask what is wrong, briefly tell them your shoulder injury has gotten worse, and the doctors are looking into it. Also, do not be hesitant to ask for assistance when you are away from work. I request all kinds of favors, but it took me a while to have people "do" for me. And cut your "hard" activity schedule back, and increase your "pleasant" activities.
I really think if you will get that nerve thing investigated a little more, and at the very least get the right drugs on board, and if you accept that you are some kinda disabled and thus you are not operating at full throttle, you are going to be in a better place than you are now. I hope this helps. I've been where you are, and it is absolutely a dreadful experience, but it is one which can be improved.
GG
I'm sure many people in this forum can relate to your situation. I have similar problems, so I hope some advice I give here might help you deal with this.
First, your post says, "A recent left shoulder MRI shows ligament damage, nerve impingement and a possible tear." It just seems to me that if you have proof of nerve impingement, then by golly, some surgical intervention might relieve the nerve problem, or some sort of treatment can be given to help your injury. The physician who ordered that MRI ought to be able to discuss your options.
Secondly, you need much better medication than you are getting. Lyrica is great, but sometimes you have to up the dose for it to reach maximum potential. I myself reached a plateau at 200mg daily. But, in conjunction with the Lyrica, you should also be on some sort of opiate. They work in very good synergy. I take 100mg of codeine daily with my Lyrica. I cannot tell you how much relief that gives me. If your physician gives you a problem about it, go to a pain clinic or request it from the doc who ordered the MRI.
Thirdly, you must make the logical connection that your pain is directly related to everything else that is goofed up in your life. When I finally got the right drugs on board, along with some slow-down in my routines, my life gradually improved. I had a neurologist who helped me make that mental shift in thought, he showed me how pain prevents a person from thinking clearly. He tapped steadily on my knee with the chart and told me when a person is distracted like that, they can't think about anything else. As he tapped, I could not absorb what he was saying, I became angry, confused, and bingo, I "got it." Before I understood this, I simply did not realize how much my pain affected my concentration, my ability to understand and communicate with other people, and my mood.
Fourthly, there are a few things you can do to improve your discomfort and your life until you get the right drugs you need and the possible surgery or whatever physical intervention you need. I'll begin with solutions for your physical discomfort, and next I'll talk about your life challenges.
I, too, have thoracic pain from breaking my back in a car wreck. I learned a trick that helps, similar to some things you are already doing. I lay flat on my back with my legs up in a chair, scoot up close, arms out to the side. This takes all the pressure off the back and muscles, allowing for relaxation of the thoracic region (between the shoulder blades). And whether you like it or not, you should take the time after work to walk in a natural place, like your yard, or in a park, just somewhere convenient and pleasant. Also, a very warm and leisurely shower or bath is incredibly healing. A couple other very good ideas is to ask a friend to give you a back massage a couple times a week, and also you should seriously consider having acupuncture, which opens the energy pathways in the body to promote healing. These things are not "cures," rather they merely help.
For your life frustrations, you need to do certain things for a while as relates to social interaction. As I said before, you have to realize that your pain is how come you are so unable to act like a regular person. So, when you're around other people, talk less and listen more, put a smile on your face, and excuse yourself from situations that upset you. Second, find a quiet place in your house, sit on the floor and focus on a glass object in the window, breathe deeply, stop your thoughts. Then close your eyes and simply ask what is the problem you need to understand. As you wait for the answer, you will picture a situation, emotion will flood through your body, tears will come, and the exact thing you need to know will make itself clear. You will be amazed at what happens to yourself. And each time you do this, a new revelation will help you.
In conclusion, you have been to hell and back. You have gone through so much. Everything is ruined and you are completely spent. And yet, like many people, you keep trying to do everything like before. Just back off and give yourself a break. You are in terrible shape, so it's okay to count yourself as a sick person. If you have to, put your right arm in a sling, and this will be a visual clue to people that you are physically messed up, and they'll give you your space and be much nicer. When others ask what is wrong, briefly tell them your shoulder injury has gotten worse, and the doctors are looking into it. Also, do not be hesitant to ask for assistance when you are away from work. I request all kinds of favors, but it took me a while to have people "do" for me. And cut your "hard" activity schedule back, and increase your "pleasant" activities.
I really think if you will get that nerve thing investigated a little more, and at the very least get the right drugs on board, and if you accept that you are some kinda disabled and thus you are not operating at full throttle, you are going to be in a better place than you are now. I hope this helps. I've been where you are, and it is absolutely a dreadful experience, but it is one which can be improved.
GG
Thanks for your response. I moved from a large city to a small town, cross country and really over-extended my body. I've over-extended myself for years--I don't know when to quit. I moved cross country to be with my aging parents and left a life I knew for 28 years. Three years later my parents don't speak to me. It's a long story. I finally stopped trying to get my mother to love me. It took 4 times of her writing me off to finally get the message. The ensuing sadness of being rejected and this physical pain have taken their toll on me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I've asked the Lord for healing but He has not answered my prayer yet. I plan to go to a healing service at a church on June 22. I do believe the Lord can heal me and just because it doesn't happen at the moment I pray for it, doesn't mean the process isn't taking place. I encourage everyone out there to cry out for healing because the Lord performs miracles every day. You might seriously think of a healing service in a church. God bless and keep you all.
Hi Kate,I am so sorry for your never ending pain...I can't offer you much help it seems...I can actually tell you I do know what you are going through ...I am suffering with the exact same symptoms....As i am typing I am in alot of pain I am currently on lyrica which doesn't help much any more...write me to let me know more about how all this started...Prayers seems to be the only help...Love and prayers
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