Trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome
 

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I am desperate for help. I have been dealing with referred symptoms of trigger points since October 2014. I went for a deep tissue massage for 2 hours and woke up 2 days later with vertigo lasting a few seconds. Symptoms started getting worse and more from there-terrible stiff neck and frontal sinus pressure with severe ear stuffiness and disorientation off and since then. I am a hygienist and lean over in a twisted position all day and have always had muscle pain but never with these symptoms since having that massage.

I have seen countless doctors who never diagnosed trigger point problems until I researched my symptoms on my own and sought the help of a certified trigger point therapist. He has helped with some symptoms but I can't afford to keep going and am scared to death to treat some of my own muscles fir fear of doing more harm or bringing the symptoms back on-even though I did purchase the trigger point therapy workbook. I feel hopeless-will these awful head problems ever go away? Has anyone else out there ever experienced the symptoms from the dreaded SCM and massater muscle-dizziness, off balance, nausea, anxiety, ear, and sinus problems? Please tell me I am not crazy-I feel alone and hopeless that this will never get better. If anyone out there knows what I am going thru please offer any help, suggestions, or just someone to talk to.

If I am posting this this in the wrong forum please let me know and point me in the right direction

With your job and having some issues previously - I'd like to suggest you visit our TOS forum - Thoracic outlet syndrome..

So much of what you mention might be related ..I think our TOS forum will be much more helpful for therapies and helpful options..
I had many of those same issues SCM and more...my past posts are on the TOS forum ..

main page- TOS forum -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

sticky threads-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread125577.html

Welcome Mary in pain. :Wave-Hello:

Thank you Jo*Mar, I will visit this particular thread for some help.

One can work with one's own muscles. It is best to be gentle and playful. Just feel how the touch of your own hands feels, instead of trying to get rid of a symptom and worrying about finding the right trigger point.

The word trigger point is just a word, most of them coincide with acupuncture points. See where you feel like going a little deeper when you massage, how much pressure a particular spot wants. Go with what feels good, get acquainted with your body and say "hello feet, I am here to get to know you". Starting with the feet is a good idea.

Who knows what happened during that deep tissue massage, but your symptoms seem to indicate tension.

I am definitely a person who holds a lot of tension. Running used to help me get rid of some of this tension but since this all started I cannot run- actually I have just started small walks and riding an exercise bike for short amounts of time between stretching. I have also started taking vitamin and mineral supplements but I still seem to have so much tension. What else can I do to relieve tension and anxiety?

If you might have lifelong emotional tensions, I came across a post the other day mentioning Sarno technique.. I don't know if this might be something that applies but might be worth reading online to see what you think..


John Sarno
https://www.google.com/search?q=John+Sarno&gws_rd=ssl

I find that simple meditation techniques are the best and most relaxing way to relieve tension and anxiety. I suffer from both - especially anxiety - and could not cope without it.
I have been taught Buddhist meditation techniques, but there are a few popular ones out there. The important thing is to go to a few classes as you would with anything you want to learn properly.
Hopefully, this will wind down your anxiety by several notches.

Dave.

Thanks for your suggestion, I will try to find a class that teaches a meditation technique and see if this will help. My biggest problem is trying to relax when my symptoms creep up-especially the head pain, ear fullness, and off balance/ dizziness and nausea. It's hard to relax when you have all this going on.

A very experienced osteopath once told his trainees - dont chase pain, fix their posture, muscles, range of motion. If their pain goes away, that's their problem. :wink:

I guess what I am trying to say is that, your trigger points are developing due to muscle imbalances. Now unless you have something serious going on like trauma (whiplash, fall, accident) or nerve issues (disc issues etc), chances are more likely or not, posture and movement challenges ingrained for a time may have cumulatively caused trigger points to develop.

So meditation + light PT or yoga may be all that you need to get better. Best of luck!!