[amandy]

Hi all,

Hubby saw a neuro-muscular massage therapist today to treat some of the pain he has experienced lately. He will have an MRI this week and also see a chiropractor to see if they can find out any more about what specifically causes his TOS, although I think it is a combination of lots of things (bone / rib structure, muscles, possible trauma, and repetitive strain), and I won't be surprised if they don't see any obvious structural causes.

He has felt much better after seeing the therapist, who did a lot of myo-fascial release in his chest and arms. His connective tissue was VERY VERY tough and sticky, and after she had finished working one side of his chest I could see a very big difference in the way his ribs raised up when he breathed. Already some of his pain has gone, and she has not finished the treatment. He will see her again this week to work between the ribs and on his back. She is familiar with TOS and while she does some trigger-point therapy in areas of major pain, she is focusing right now on getting his tissue released so that it is no longer putting pressure on his shoulders and chest.

I have been trying to convince him to get off the computer some, but I haven't had any success. I know that it's not helping his pain any, but his job is with computers, and it's also how he de-stresses and keeps his mind off the pain. I know the doctors won't tell him to stop typing so much, as he does the computer work for all of the doctors in our town, and they know that his job requires it.

I know many of you have had experience with the massage therapy and trigger-point therapy. Have they all been this positive? He experienced lots of pain during the treatment, but is not feeling any pain right at the moment. I imagine he will be somewhat sore tomorrow though.

I'm still researching all I can about TOS... this is such a recent diagnosis for him and there's not that much to find out there. I've been reading everything you all have to say though, and it's encouraging to see all of his symptoms matching those that I find through this forum. As difficult as it is for him, he's felt so much better knowing that he is not going crazy with all the previously unexplainable pains and numbness.

Mandy

[fern]

your husband is lucky to have you learning and being so supportive! And it sounds like you have found a very good MT. If your husband can have the treatments while laying off of the computer as much as possible his treatments should have even more value. I was told at one point during PT that if I couldn't take off work to try working for an hour and then taking an hour break to rest and stretch. just a thought.

[Jomar]

It really takes time and a balance and reduction of activities for the best chance of success.

You might pick up Sharon Butlers RSI book at the library, she explains so clearly about fascia, and her "bank account" theory for uses while healing is very good, she has very good gentle stretching plans included for all RSIs and TOS. She has a website also.

Is his posture and ergonomics being addressed as well?

If he feels he must keep working would a voice recognition program be of help? I think they have professional versions for various needs, legal or medical terminology etc.

[gibbrn]

I love these treatments and can't live without!! I have myo release once a week now and it reailly helps a lot. I really could not live without!! I say easy is best to start! even when my MT goes lightly on me i hurt that day in about a few hours then the next day too but hot baths with epsom salts really helps to take the lactic acid out of the muscles!! Amazing if you have jetted tub as well!

Soooooo I don't know how others feel but therapists who go to town on all things at once are dangerous.....one thing at a time or little things at a time.....so that is the moral of MY story anyhow....he will be sore for a few days if she went to town...but keep up the hot baths and if not already on an anti-inflammatory it may help...ie ibuprophen check the safe dose for him...but usually 400 mg a few times a day read your bottle...don't go over 600 four times a day is too much esp. if stomach issues!!!

But I am glad to see that there is some relief.....it just gets better my MT had me moving really well until I went way on planes trains and autos for 10 days of hell.....I hate hotel beds....but the Marriott is NICE!!! sorry Off topic.....

please post results would love to hear!!

take care
love and hugs,
Victoria

[beth]

I think neuro-muscular massage is really valuable when done by someone trained specifically in this area. My therapist was a sports massage therapist who got additional accreditation in neuro-muscular massage. If looking for someone in this field, I suggest calling a reputable local massage therapist and explaining your need, or asking a savvy PT if they know of person with such training. You might also call local gyms/personal trainers and ask if they have the names of any such therapists.

Unfortunately, although I went only once per week, and did see benefit from it, I also would have such a flare for 2-3 days after from RSD that I eventually gave it up. While very good for freeing nerves from sticky fascia, this therapy proved to be too much for an over-stimulated nervous system.

Catch-22 again!

If you don't have RSD, I heartily recommend you give it a try!

beth

[dabbo]

My chiro has an in-house massage therapist who would do that type of massage. I had it once- we ran out of time- she was trying to work on my shoulder/shoulderblade area, and didn't get to the scalene part. If I were smart, I would have gone 2x a week during my unemployment. Not too late to start, I suppose since my job title is still "out-of-work bond trader."

[amandy]

Thanks to all for your supportive words!

Jo, I will look for that book next time I am at the library. It sounds quite helpful. Unfortunately, voice recognition software would not keep him from having to type, as he works with probably 20 different computers and servers in any given day. When he is in his own office, he is programming, and I have searched in the past for software that will handle voice recognition for programming languages, but have not found any. We did get him an ergonomic keyboard for his office, which does help when he is there for extended time. He says more than anything it helps him to sit up straighter.

My next hope is to steer him away from the video games, although he does love them.

His therapist takes her time and does not schedule appointments back-to-back. This way she can always finish the area she is working on. He will see her again tomorrow afternoon to work on his back. He has had much improvement in his chest and shoulders, and only occasional twitches and numbness in his shoulders / neck. He has a sunken sternum, and after she worked that area, it was visibly less sunken. I had no idea that something like that could be held down by connective tissue! While his sunken chest is not causing any pain or problems (that we know of) and is only a cosmetic thing, it was so encouraging to see such structural change because of something like massage therapy!

Thanks!
Mandy

[Jomar]

If he can get involved with some full body movement type of activity or at least some other kind of hobby. Something to kind of replace the video games since he is so heavy into pc use for work ??

Those big exercise balls, the inflatable ones, really work well for me to lay over front and back.
I just lay there and let the stretch happen
sometimes roll forward and back or side to side

there are foam cylinder rolls that a PT suggested for shoulder/chest stretches & posture
http://www.nextag.com/foam-roller-therapy/search-html
video link that shows how to use it-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pQkgyYeV30

I think near the ending is the posture part.

[fern]

"Jo, I will look for that book next time I am at the library. It sounds quite helpful."

Mandy, I would recommend the SharonButler website as a good place to start. The self care program for TOS is really good.
http://www.selfcare4rsi.com

[amandy]

Fern, thanks for the link. The site looks very well researched and is encouraging. His posture is something that we know must be worked on / corrected, but as yet have not had any doctors give advice on this.

He will be seeing a chiropractor soon; perhaps he will give us some posture advice, and let Brian know whether an exercise ball or those cylinders would help him.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!