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