QuestionHello Kathryn,
Hoping you can help me. I am still recovering from lower back surgery in May 09 and August 09. Had second surgery for a reoccurrence of the same disc. Since April of this year have had severe arm pain and in the last 8 weeks pain on the right side of my neck, i think its the scalene muscle? not sure. It is tight and swollen and starts at the base of my jaw down to the clavicle.
My neurologist has done many studies and i do know i have mild carpal tunnel and bulging discs at c5 c6. I also had a shoulder mri that showed small annular tear in the tendon and bursitis and tendonitis however the ortho doc i saw does not agree. He says there is no tear and just a few calcium deposits. I have scapular pain on the right side as well as burning and pain on the back of my upper right arm,bicep pain,elbow pain and pain in the first three fingers primarily the thumb but also on the side of my hand by the pinkie. I am so frustrated because no one can make a decision as to what is going on. Some say cervical radiculopthy others say shoulder and some say its all from carpal tunnel. The ortho doc says the carpal tunnel would not go all the way up my arm but the research i have been doing suggests otherwise. The tingling and burning are maddening. I have done three rounds of steroids,physical therapy and can not get in to see a neurosurgeon until sept. In the meantime i have been trying some neck massage. I cant sleep and would like your input. Thank you.
AnswerDear Jennifer,
Let's see if we can unravel this mystery a bit.
Low back surgery followed by severe arm pain and then pain on right side of neck and jaw. Scapular pain on right side; is this pain on a side, top or bottom or directly between the scapula and ribs?
Doctors disagree as to cause(s.)
Bulging disc at C5-6. My question is always "why?" The answer is most often that muscles are pulling or pushing on those vertebrae. (C5 & C6 sandwich a disc between them.)
Cervical radiculopathy? Why? Nerves don't move on their own and neither do bones. Muscles move bones and either bones or muscles can press on nerves.
Jennifer, you do a nice job of sharing where all of your pain is. Rarely does only one muscle cause all of a problem. They all belong to the same union so if one starts to act up (for any reason) other muscles will jump in and cause their own symptoms, too.
It is good (in my opinion) that you are not seeing a neurosurgeon until September. Surgeons tend to recommend surgery. Sometimes they recommend a scalenectomy. This is a drastic and most often UNsuccessful surgery. Please remember that I am not a doctor.
However the scalenes can be released manually (by hand.) Look for a well-trained massage therapist who knows how to do scalene release. To find that person, go to the Categories at http://CarpalTunnelPainReliefNow.com and look for the Massage Category. There are articles on self-massage and also How To Find A Massage Therapist Who Can Help You. You see, not all massage practitioners do therapeutic massage.
My best long distance guesses are that the following muscles need release: The muscle that is sandwiched between your scapula and ribs; the muscles along your spine (possibly especially on the LEFT); your scalene and SCM muscles on BOTH sides; your pectoral (chest) muscles on the right; the QL muscles on either side of your waist. You could take that list to a therapist.
A skilled massage therapist seeing you in person who has the ability to assess and refer to trigger point charts may have a different viewpoint but I think those are probably good starting points.
If you happen to live in or can get to Florida, Paul St. John http://StJohn-Clarkptc.com is an excellent therapist and I'm sure his colleagues there are, too. I'm in SE Michigan and there are other excellent therapists elsewhere. Paul St. John has trained hundreds and hundreds of therapists.
You can see the whole body effect that can happen from one event because it's happening to you. Don't let that get to you, Jennifer. It's just a matter of settling down, releasing and relaxing and toning the appropriate muscles.
Since you have so much discomfort going on, I'm strongly suggesting you enlist the help of a well trained massage therapist. You will actually know within just one or two visits whether it is helping. You will feel a sense of relief.
Here's something you can easily do yourself: The rule of thumb is ice for nervy pain and heat for muscular pain. I'd suggest ice for your neck all the way around--front, sides and back. You can use ice packs or ice massage. Check out the Ice and Heat category at the carpal tunnel website link I gave to you (above.)
Most doctors just don't know much about muscles and their roles in pain.
I hope this helps. Please feel free to write back if you have more questions or input about this.
Oh, and if you get a chance, I would appreciate if you could take a few minutes to give a review on this answer. Thank you!
Warmest,
Kathryn
Kathryn Merrow
The Pain Relief Coach
P.S. The articles at http://SimpleBackPainRelief.com may also help.
