QuestionQUESTION: My shoulders and neck and right side of my head feel like it is in muscle spasm and has been gradually getting worse for almost 18 months. I have had every test possible showing nothing. It was diagnosed as muscular tension, knots, trigger points etc. It is so bad I have developed a kind of tinnitus behind and including my right ear. I have tried yoga, running, walking and weights - all make me feel great while doing it (except doesn't stop the pull over my ear) but after my shoulders and back hurt terribly. The doctor prescribed SOMA and Xanax but it does not help. Please give me your thoughts. I have had massages with trigger point and acupressure but no last relief. Thank you so much Patty
ANSWER: Hi Patty,
I need some more information before I can help you out my dear. What do you do at work? Is your job physical? Do you sit at a desk working on a computer? Talk on the phone? Are you a cashier? I don't need to know who you work for or where I just need to know what it is you do.
Have you ever been in any car accidents? Any type of impact injury regarding your neck? Ever had whiplash? Please answer these questions. I don't have enough info here to help you.
"It was diagnosed as muscular tension, knots, trigger points etc. "
I have never heard of knots being diagnosed or muscle tnesion. To me being diagnosed is an illness and you are not sick.
Zira
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QUESTION: I have no illnesses. I have extreme tension in my upper shoulders. I lift my right shoulder higher than the left when I fear something, which is a holdover from childhood.
I use the computer about 3 hrs a day, than 2 hours then whenver necessary. I am a realtor as is my husband and the market had tanked. My floving pet is in the process of deteriorating because she is 13, My gym closed up in the middle of the night due to not paying bills. I have had many tensions in the past 16 months mostly due to the idea of I have in my brain about lack of money. I am on occasional xanax and sometimes soma which do not work, although I have not taken as instruted steadily. I am getting older and worry about that. I have seen a therapist and every doctor - I am now trying yoga but it seems to hurt my upper shoulders and neck. It is bikram w/o heat I am tense and running is out because my shoulders and neck hurt after, not during the running or walking. I am 61 and am doing Tai Chi but it is slow and my nervous energy needs something more. I am 5'5" 120 lbs, low blood pressure, no cholesteral probams, a vegetarian etc. My head rings on the right side behind my ear and I was told it is probably stuck together fascia behind my near, whatever that means. I am athletic by nature by this has me as a frustrated, depressed stand still. Anything you can offer would be so appreciated. Thank you. Patty
AnswerThank you Patty,
Lets start with what fascia is because thats an easy one. Fascia is the tissue that connects the muscles to the skin. I'm going to recommened a relaxation massage because a relaxation massage is very good for bringing down stress. Stress is one part of it.
Some pointers that I have are:
--> stretch after you shower/ bath because your muscles will be more relaxed then, but make sure they are smooth gentle stretches, do not force anything
-->take some time for yourself and relax doing whatever makes you happy or not stressed, take time to hang out with your pet
I'm wondering if you need to see a neurologist. From the pain that you are feeling it almost sounds like to me that you have a compressed nerve on one of your upper levels in your neck. Other problems that can occur are: a vertebral segment (part of the spine) can be rotated or out of place. It could be the on coming of frozen shoulder. These are just things that I am suspecting. I'm not sure where you live or what your massage therapists are allowed to do within their scope of practice, but where I practice a massage therapist is trained to the same level as a nurse when it comes to the human body and they are also trained to do a full body assessment. I deal with the entire body. This is all I can think of for now. I'll talk to one of the gals I work with to see what she thinks. She's been practicing longer than I have and might have a different perspective. Let me know if that's cool with you.
Zira
