Muscle pain question...

[genrex]

Dot, I don't know what things are like where you are, but in the U.S. the best pain med for your situation is probably Vicodin (hydrocodone). The next step up is oxycodone, which is very addicting and best avoided if possible. What have you tried so far?

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[jyl]

Vicodin does nothing for me. Very strange. I can take it and feel no relief at all. Oxycodone is great. I took one pill, my pain disappeared and I felt so happy and comfy. That was during a kidney stone. When it wore off, I refused to take another. Some things are too fun to get in the habit of.

[futurefun]

From here it sounds like a myofascial trigger point that is activated. While stretching & acupuncture may offer some relief a massage therapist that does definitive work like sports massage or deep tissue, not just relaxation/spa, would be next stop. Drink plenty of water, pass on the drugs get some good hands on soft tissue work.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

"Dry needling" is a technique that is gaining traction here in the States. Not quite acupuncture--the concept, as I understand it, is to force the muscle to relax from its spasm by activating a "trigger point". I have not personally undergone it (though my chiro has recommended it for my consistently problematic lower back) but a coworker of mine has. He was a skeptic but says it helped him immensely.

I started "dry needle" therapy a couple of months ago for decades long abuse of my legs from running. It works.

Also, FWIW, it has nothing to do with acupuncture. It is a technique developed by physicians and physical therapists. I would not trust a chiropractor to do this, but then again I wouldn't trust a chiropractor to walk my dog across the street. Find a licensed PT that has added it to their practice. Expect added soreness for up to 48 hours after initial treatment but it will quickly subside.

[Superman]

The best physical therapist in your area (if you are in Vancouver BC) is located at Waterfront Physical Therapy in Edmonds, WA. His name is Boyd Bender. He works on a number of professional athletes, golfers and such. He does the entire Pacific Northwest Ballet. He's the Bone and Muscle Whisperer. The rest are just quacks. Boyd is the Real Deal. When I went to him, my right hand grip was 60% as strong as my left. I am right handed. It took him three visits to get it back to 110% of my left grip.

[cairns]

I have the same thing and have had it off and on for about two years. It started after I got lyme disease.

I tried all the doctors and PT, drugs, patches etc. Useless. Now I get acupuncture treatments when it flares up and am fine. I knew nothing about acupuncture and didn't believe it could do anything but am now a convert. After the first treatment the pain subsided in three or four days. After the third it was gone.

[Dottore]

Many thanks for all of these helpful replies. I am exploring all options!

I like the acupuncture suggestion. That has helped me very much several times in the past.

[Don Ro]

A close friend, a chiropractic physician, taught me how to self-adjust and to care for my back, etc.
Yrs. ago, I suffered from deep pain under my shoulder blade...she told me to drop 3-4 NSAIDs (Advil) prior to bed.
She said that most skeletal problems were rooted in the muscles.
I needed to get the muscles to relax enough so that they'd drop back into their natural position.
I've done this a few times in the past several yrs. with success. YMMV.

[vash]

i hate vicoden. i had a steel rod inserted in my leg and i avoided that painkiller.

nothing stops the natural functions of my lower GI system like those darn pills.

good luck DOT.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by Dottore

I like the acupuncture suggestion. That has helped me very much several times in the past.

Just to be clear, dry needle release therapy is not acupuncture. The use of solid filiform needles is the only commonality.

[charlesbahn]

I'm sure they've checked for referred pain from the heart, but if they havn't, be sure they do.

[E Sully]

I injured my shoulder at work about 5 1/2 years ago. Original diagnosis was a Winged Scapula. The basic diagnosis is damage to the Long Thoracic Nerve on the right side. MRI shows C6-7 degenerated disc with small Herniation along with some other issues. Abnormal signal in end plates at T7,8,9
I also had Motor nerve conduction and Needle EMG's that basically show nerve damage, plus a whole bunch of other stuff that I need Web MD to understand.
In the beginning it was excruciating pain. Now it has calmed down to the point I can function, but I have lost quite a bit of motion, and have grown accustomed to continuous stiffness and moderate pain. Seems to be pretty much a permanent nerve damage thing.

[creaturecat]

Repetitive stress injury from lifting the grey poupon?
Just kidding. : )
I know a great acupuncturist in Vancouver, if you want to go that route. Might be worth a try.
Best of luck on your recovery.