I have problems with chronic muscle tension, particularly in the neck. I wondered if there was any relationship between tension and caffeine since I drink coffee. Here some interesting bits:

-- http://www.askmen.com/sports/foodcou...ting_well.html

This article is very pro coffee but does point out "Evidence shows that caffeine intensifies muscle contractions" ...

-- http://bodytechnician.com/caffeine.html

This guy claims that when his massage therapy clients stop or start caffeine, he can feel the difference in their level of muscle tension. He also claims "Moderate-to-high coffee consumption (>1 cup/day) increases markers of inflammation. Inflammation causes pain." with references. But wow, is that page the most anti-caffeine/coffee page you could ever imagine.

-- I also recall that one of my magnesium books claimed that coffee depletes magnesium which is associated with muscle relaxation.

I've also read some benefits of caffeine, but none of them related to muscle relaxation.

Thoughts? Experiences?

I have slowly weaned myself off caffeine over the last month slowly to avoid the no coffee in the system durring surgery, causing a headache. I was up to 2 cups a day at my hight, and down to one in the morning. That being said, being off it completly now for some time has made NO difference in my pain or muscle tension levels. I would think you would be talking about a pot a day person to make a difference. lol. So I write it off as bunk. Of course we all respond differently to stimuli.
I think a cup a day is great, you have to enjoy something in life.
Cheers,
Jay

I could see a possible connection due to the caffeine effects and muscle tension, especially if a static job or low activity level vs activities where you can burn off the caffeine/tension.

When I was working 10 hr days I was drinking 3 or more cups a day w/ cream & plenty of sugar... mostly those small cups from the coffee vending machine though..
My job was alternately sitting/standing but very active in upper body/arm/hand use so I think I burnt off the caffeine effects for the most part.

now, a cup in the morning and maybe 1 mid day if a chilly/wet winter day...but I'm sure I get more sleep now than I did back then, so I don't need it to stay awake- or for energy.

Agree with Tossucks. Pre-TOS, I would drink about 2 cups of espresso coffee and be a Diet Coke addict for the rest of the day. Overtime, I have lost interest in Diet Coke, for whatever reason, and maybe drink one every other day. I usually drink 1-1 1/2 cups of coffee in the AM (especially good with a marshmallow on top). NO reduction in muscle tension has been felt!

Some of us, including me, have breathing problems with TOS. There are a number of studies out there which state caffeine is a bronchodilator. It hasn't helped me breathe either.

The only thing it helps me do is start my day and everyone with TOS looks forward to a new day full of surprises .

Eat, drink and be merry -
Anne

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm going to wean myself off it completely and see what happens or does not. Will take about 4 weeks, I think.

its rough

i miss caffeine i feel stupid

?

Do you mean you quit suddenly just now and are feeling withdrawal effects? Or you quit earlier? Why did you quit?

I've decided to quit by drinking a little less each day. I've also been cooking up ideas to boost energy sans caffeine. I can't just go from lying in bed all night to sitting in front of the computer and expect to feel wide awake. I'm currently thinking:

Small cup of OJ + supplements + small cup of water
3 min meditation. Relax all muscles
1 - 3 appropriate stretches
N min cardio
Take in sunlight (stand in front of a window)

...to be used as needed. Looks like 10 - 15 mins to me.

There are also some books dedicated to ideas about boosting energy that I may check out.

We'll see how it goes. I just started reducing the coffee a few days a go, so I'm still enjoying it for the most part.

ive been off caffeine for several months and i cheated and had a cup of tea and just felt like a genius

i quit bc supposedly it can raise blood sugar and is bad for POSTURAL ORTHOSTATIC TACHYCARDIA but i dunno i might get bck on it. i miss tea. it raises cortisol.


side note, physiologic stress can raise your fasting blood sugar level. i doubt you ahve that problem but it's something to be aware of for people in chronic pain

http://stereopsis.com/flux/

is neat software. it puts you to sleep though at night by getting rid of the lcd/blue light effect, so im not sure if this is a good thread to post. i just wanna plug it

Do you think that's from the increase in circulation? Or do you think other factors contribute? If it's just from circulation, then exercise should be an acceptable substitute.

There have been recent studies that found mental performance went up immediately after brisk walking. Of course, I realize that's more work than drinking something, but it has extra benefits that make it worthwhile.

Or maybe tea is the right balance point for you. It has less caffeine than coffee for example.

At http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postura...ardia_syndrome it says that caffeine helps some patients and worsens others.