I don't know why they didn't rx PT for pain relief help if nothing else..
ultrasound, massage, electric stim , low level laser - plus if an advanced/spinal PT they can check for minor misalignment's and work on those.
It really is amazing that even small misalignments can set you up for so much pain..
And it is the body's foundation.. so if something is out it takes longer to rehab until the foundation is fixed.

Have you read about trigger points and the referred pain/symptoms they can cause?
those are easy to check for yourself or have someone check areas you can't reach easily.

[swelling and color changes] yes usually - I just asked to be sure.
If you do the "stick em up" and looking in a mirror you would see the hands go white and then when lowed the usually flush pink again.

I wonder if doing the corpse pose would help to relive some of the pain/sx.
Lay on floor or bed - arms at a comfortable position
do the deep diaphragmatic breathing and focus on total relaxation
maybe some soft music to help

Explore Sharon Butler's website lots of articles and explains about "sticky tissues". www.selfcare4rsi.com
-the sticky tissues can adhere to muscles & nerves causing many sx & pain-

often why most imaging /tests come back showing no causes for us -
just doesn't show up on those tests.