The severe spasms I had in 04 felt like my chest, shoulder and neck muscles were totally "locked up".
The muscles were very rigid to the touch.
It felt like I was wearing a tight metal vest with turtleneck collar.

At the time I had just started reading on BT and finding out about TOS.
But I didn't see any explainations describing spasms so I didn't know that was what was wrong with me. I didn't know about TrPs then either.

When the chiro felt my neck and shoulder muscles - that was when he told me about muscle spasms.
This time mine were due to the severe uses {from making the cement for the shop floor} and TrPs.

So I think I got TrPs first and then when I kept using the muscles they went into the spasms and they stayed that way until I happened to find my chiro and get treatment.
I wasn't going to any PT at the time so maybe they would have been able to help too...

Chiro treatment for my spasms-
NIMMO- kind of a mix of a deep slow stretch/massage/TrP treatment

and a variety of these others as needed-
Ultrasound
Massage
Low level laser
Intraferential Stimulation - very low settings only -like a gentle massaging feel


for my SCM & scalenes - he used his thumbs and kind of hooked into the muscle {find the TrPs } and used pressure with a slow stretch method.
These muscles are near arteries so use caution if you have someone try it on you. I suggest have an expert treat/show you first.

For the upper chest/pecs - he used the heels of his hands for the pressure/stretch.
This one should be do able by a friend if you want to try it.
you lay on a firm but not hard surface, the friend is behind your head, so they can reach over and place the heels of their hands on your chest muscle below the collarbone. Just use a steady pressure and a slow gentle stretch leaning on the heels of their hands and stretching away from the collarbone.They will only move a small amount {1"} and slowly lift and move hands to the next lower section and repeat until the whole muscle is worked.

I'd like to hear if anyone tries this and how it works for them.

I guess I will add that if you are in severe pain you might try just a slight pressure/stretch at first to see how you tolerate it. I don't want anyone getting hurt or spasmed worse. Maybe the baby steps idea - start small and see if you can move forward with it or not.

I didn't have any NIMMO used on my upperback.
It should be very much the same if working the back muscles too.
I'm sure it will help to have a diagram of the muscles to look at for the back.Since some muscles go at an angle while some run across- I think you would want to stretch in the same direction of the muscle most times.

If you can do some heat before and after, along with relaxation as much as you can - going back to uses right away will not really allow for the affects of the work to last.


a link about TrPs and ultrasound treatments- this whole site has some nice info
http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/myofascial/safetyultras.htm
http://www.drlowe.com/myofascial/gen...o/emoneuro.htm

I would also love to hear ideas and suggestions for dealing with muscle spasms.

I have one that has been in a spasm for months, it is in my upper rear-end lower-back area on the right side, and the spasm is so severe that it has actually caused my tailbone to rotate slightly and move slightly to the left side because the smasming muscle has put pressure on the tailbone that it moved.

I take 400mg skelaxin four times a day, I have tried PT, heat, ice, massage, TENS, lidoderm patches, and a lidocaine injections - and this muscle just doesn't change, it is in a constant spasm... even my doctor seems a bit clueless about what to try next since nothing has worked at all.

It hurts like crazy, and because of the location it makes sitting difficult at times.

So, I could definately use some new ideas on how to releive this spasm.

Liz

did you ever see this info before?
I think I found it a yr ago or so.

http://erikdalton.com/articleduramater.htm
or a internal TrP?

http://triggerpoints.net/_sgg/m1m3_1.htm

ok so I guess I am in permenant spasm...hard like rock..... (put an accent in there....lol)

in my neck, chest shoulder and back I have massive rocks for muscles can move them over each other.......heat is my best friend and massage....gets expensive though.....but worth every penny. I am in constant spasm so it is always hard despite the zanaflex and lyrica and diazepam......at least these give pain relief. I am thinking of asking my new neurologist who is a doll to do trigger point or scalene injections to actually test for tos as despite having the surgery.....which I think was only half a#% done I still have the pain.....but did not ever have the test. All was confirmed with the 80% occlusion of the subclavian with overhead movements on right side. eeeekkkkk


so I guess I am in muscle spasm...now up here in Canada (close to Toronto)
I have to deal with the cold with brings on much more pain and spasm. THe heavy coats and scarfs......the cold....instant spasm.....and I could never shovel snow.....lol

I don't have any other treatments...tried pt made it worse tried IFC, ultrasound, cold lazer, accupuncture, bowen, heat......on and on...

so I guess the pressure pointer I got just sits and collects dust now!!!!! dosn't help makes it worse when I press on the muscles need my massage tx to do that for me.

take care all,
Victoria



http://www.microsurgeon.org/scapular_flap.htm

http://www.chionline.com/anatomy/anat1.html
http://www.ovphysio.com/injuries/common.htm
http://www.timberhillpt.com/?page=li...back&article=1

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Yes, Victoria. I know what you mean about the cold.
Am I alone in having goosebumps the minute I get chilled.
They hurt so bad on my already burning arms.

Even at 72° in my house, I'm hurting.
Set me in the sun at 80°, and I can relax those tense muscles until I get back into the cold, which means my house.

I wear a heated pack around my neck to help ease the spasms and keep my shoulders off my ears.
Posture is so important, but the spasms can pull us right out of that good posture.
Hope

Oh Victoria, I know how you feel. I am dreading winter...there is no way I could ever clear ice and snow off a car...with my truck it was always pretty easy and I have great co-workers...I am not sure my new vehicle will be so easy to clear. I think remote start is going to be my way to go.

I hate winter coats - I usually wear a fall coat just because it is lighter...trying to find mitts/gloves that accomodate swollen hands and fingers... Fun stuff.

But this was about muscle spasm...my scalene muscles as well as the mucles in my forearm are hard as a rock 90% of the time...the chiro I have been seeing tries to work them out but I end up feeling worse. This stuff sucks. I want someone to truely figure out what the heck is going on here!

I love heat, massage, even massaging the areas myself...cold - no way...the spasm is crazy...walk outside on a cold day and forget it. Posture posture...ya sometimes bad posture is the ONLY COMFORTABLE position.

I better sign off...I am battling a horrible case of some chest something or other. On my second round of antibiotics and prednisone...

I know for me there is something very soothing about standing near our hot woodstove on chilly days- the heat goes sooo deep!

ok Jo i am coming to stand in front of your heat stove.....hmmmm I guess I could turn on the gas fireplace in the basement and lie in front of it......but hate to spend parents money on gas....lol...so I wear four layers in the basement I live in an suffer the muscle spasms......I need a heat suit..one with a shower constantly heating my muscles is the only place I feel good or a hot tub....but out of luck on that one for now...hopefully will have one next year...who knows.....I want to feel the heat baby......time to go to Florida....hmmmmm age gap........ok I am 32 is that old enough (no offence) up here in Canada only old people (my parents included (they are close to 55 and 60)) go to Florida.....sterotype I know... but I am ready to go....but hate red tide and want in the ocean for the salt and the warmth..........oh Cali may be the way to go......I hope I win the lottery !!!!!! or this will never happen! but with that defeatist attitude it willl never happen anyway!!!!! ok starting to spasm from typing.......ahhhhhh time for a hot shower .....bye guys.......
any one in OES??????
love V

I love curling up in front of the woodstove at my parents....it is sooo soothing. I bought an electric fireplace last year...that thing kicks out the heat (and it was cheap too - too bad my condo is too hot to leave it running all the time!). I love to be in a hot tub or a hot shower...the warmth.

V - I hear ya about being somewhere near the ocean...I felt so much better when I was in Australia earlier this year. I think I have the BF convinced to go south for a week in December That outta help...

As for the spasms...my arm still hurts from the chiro last week..he tried to work out the spasms but it is still tender...I have had three chiro/accupunture appts with no luck - yet...I need a massage...

*sigh*

Hey Jamy,

go get the massage from my girl she is the best knows TOS better than I do....is that possible???? lol ok so now you know but I just booked all the way into march as is hard to get it.....sorry difficult..eeeeeekkkk.....sorry

anyhow same place as accupuncture!!!!

V