We're (DW & self) advocates of Myofascial Trigger Point Massage/Therapy for muscle spasm, because we've gotten outstanding results (relief) where other therapies have failed for us.

Google: myofascial trigger point therapy et al for more.

As with other therapies, success depends largely on the expertise of the therapist (half are above average -- half are below average).

Doc

I have somesort of massager, but don't really know if its similar to what you are talking about. It has a oblong shape with two moving wheels inside. It can be used without heat, or if you prefer, there is a setting for heat inside the device. I used to use it for upper back pain that came with long car trips. Works well on the stomach too if opiods or narcotics are slowing things down.

There must be some good chiropractors out there since a couple of you seem to think they helped. My insurance doesn't cover them, but had my first experience been good, I'd probably have kept going.

My physiotherapist seems to know what he is doing. He can't put my lumbar and pelvic bones back where they belong, but he is working on loosening them up and getting rid of tension. He still has not been able to explain why my right leg remains peg leg stiff when I walk, though I think it may be from one side of the pelvis being higher than the other. That foot can't clear the ground, which caused me to start limping and eventually the tendons and muscles tightened. That is just theory though.

When I went to my G.P., he took rads, but only of the lumbar area, so I don't know if there is any pathology higher up. I'll try pushing the liquids and see if that helps as well.

Thanks all,
Sam

I hope this is allowed by the moderators. I'm not associated with this company in any way. I have one of these appliances, and it's helped me a lot.

http://www.thumpermassager.com/equinepro.html

Well said, Bob !

I think it's important to stress that. What works well for some of us, doesn't help or causes a stituation to worsen in another. Getting new ideas from others may give each of us more tools to try to fix/manage our own issues. Consider EVERYTHING, but then discuss all options with a trusted health care professional to make sure it's a reasonable treatment for you/your condition.

My chiros were instrumental in helping me manage my pain and getting the right tests done to dx the issue when my previous PCP was blowing me off ("just take it easy, the pain will go away over time.....")

My mom complains her chiro was a "waste of time and money"

I don't go out without a bengay type product in my bag (I especially like the roll on style BioFreeze and a generic 'stick' form a menthol rub)

I like my TEN's unit a lot, but I can have issues with profuse sweating from RSD, then the leads don't stay on.....so then I use the rubs, as above.

Core work is important. In addition to the pain/strain of dealing with one muscle/muscle group, it's easy to have issues with favoring that area and putting too much stress on another, pulling something else out of whack !

I love warm packs (the drug store patches are okay, but I prefer the microwave rice bag ones) and I couldn't like without icepacks (although that exacerbates pain for most rsd'ers)

Are you able to get some REST in on your days off ? Are you able to tolerate anti-inflammatories ? Ask your doctor if you should be taking them.

Has this been dx'd as muscles spasms ? Has a doctor evaluated if he thinks there is something more going on ?

Sam, you have a private message.