Sheri - Shoulder/Muscle problems

[Guest guest]

--- Sheri Land wrote:

>

> My pain starts right below the neck line on the right side right

above the shoulder blade.

> As I use my arm, even just typing like I am now, it burns more and

more the longer I use it. Like I said before the Dr's keep telling me

it is muscle related.

Hi Sheri -

That does sound like a muscle - particularly since it gets worse with

repetitive motion like typing. Computers are the worst because we

keep those big muscle groups tense and in one position for far too

long. Muscle spasms can be excruciating, and they can clamp down on

major nerves running through them too and create nerve pain all on

their own.

That's what piriformis syndrome is - the piriformis muscle (a big

muscle in your behind) cramps down on the sciatic nerve running

through it, creating horrible sciatic-like pain, but the nerve itself

is not damaged like from a herniated disk or spinal cord injury. It

is very simply treated with physical therapy.

You're probably getting a lot of " guarding " pain too - you're

tightening up the muscles unconsciously to guard against the pain,

which only makes the muscles tighter and the pain worse. It's a

vicious cycle.

Physical therapy should help. They can apply heat and ice and

massage and ultrasound and stretching exercises etc etc that would

help make those spasms 'let go' and relieve the pain. You also

probably need to look at changing your computer set-up so it is more

ergonomically adjusted - there are ways to adjust your

keyboard/table/chair etc to make sure you don't make it worse.

Accupuncture is also very helpful for muscle spasms. It will make

those muscles release and give you relief from the pain.

At the very least, look into getting some massage. You need a good

massage therapist - use your instincts and don't let an inexperienced

person damage you, although it will probably hurt a good bit to get

good deep tissue massage to help those muscles release. It will

help, though. Don't to a spa for a massage, you'll probably only

get " feel good " swedish massage there - find someone with medical

expertise who can do good deep tissue work.

Hope you find something useful here. You've got to tackle this

problem and you'll find relief. That's the good news about muscle

problems - they may be terribly painful, but they can be resolved

with work and they don't cause permanent damage to nerves. However,

you may need to keep after it long-term so it doesn't go back to it's

old ways!

Good luck.

Cheryl in AZ

Moderator