More back issues -- shoulders this time.

[Stan]

Read through the thread about back pain/problems -- seems like a lot of good info there. Thought I'd start a new thread for another issue, one that I've been dealing with for almost 2 years now.

Started with knots in the shoulders that seem to be just under the shoulder blade, spine side and about the center of the shoulder blade itself. Another set of knots just above that -- right about the point I can get to them reaching across my body, over my shoulder and my fingertips can just reach them.

Eventually started getting tingling in my index finger of my right hand, which has now progressed to occasional numbness in my entire hand (and both hands now). There is no loss of function -- just that numb/tingle sensation as if it had 'been asleep'.

The knots are now continual and do not go away, the one that I can reach is about the diamater of a quarter -- the one under the shoulder blade I'm not sure of as it is too deep to get to directly.

The symptoms change every once in a while, one of them being a stabbing pain that goes from my back (shoulder blade region) and into the pectoral muscles on my right side. Makes it almost impossible to take a deep breath. This will last for 2 to 3 days and then seems to ease up.

The wife got a book on trigger points, and I read through a few chapters relating to shoulder muscle issues. The information kept leading to a set of muscles in the neck that are 'under' another set, and included instructions on how to try and dig yer fingers down past the first set of muscles in order to massage the offending muscle. I manged to make my neck 'really, really' sore for a few days.

Just thought I'd throw that out to see if anyone else has experienced this, with any good ending stories. The new job I started almost a year ago will provide medical benefits in around a month, so I'll be off to see the 'doc before too terribly long. And yes, I'm a dolt -- last doctors visit for a check-up was in 1981 when I got out of the Army.

[cabinetman]

Stan

I can sympathize with your problems. I don't profess to be a MD, but we do have a few here as members, even though you would probably be referred to a specialist, and actually be examined. But I gotta say you most likely are experiencing a reaction of your work or an unusual stress to your body. I could go on about what's wrong with me, but I can't stand hearing grown men cry.

Anyway, I think the prognosis is that you will live long enough to pay your share of taxes in your lifetime. It's probably something as simple as a pinched nerve from a swollen muscle. I know when we have some type of injury that the area around the injury swells up to protect it. That swelling may be the culprit to the nerve thing. Your relief may be in heat and deep massage.

Think of exactly what you're doing at work that may be a repetitive task that is causing continual distress. It may be how you're picking up those doors or parts thereof, or maybe one of the routine steps you are involved in. In any case, being on the job for one year is an indication that this is a fairly new source of exertion you might not be used to. Using different muscles, and different movements. The symptoms don't sound wierd according to the work you're doing.

Sit out the time to see a doctor, in the meantime maybe you'll get some things to try from the group.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[RayintheUK]

I'm a complete numb-nuts in this field, but my therapist wife recommends a series of theraputic massages over a few weeks - one a week. The soreness was probably caused by too much pressure on the trigger points. These muscle groups apparently need less pressure, but need to be done frequently, so the treatment could run on a bit. Jean adds that you could also enquire about Bowen treatment, which is gentle but effective. HTH and good luck!

Ray.

[lrogers]

Funny that you should post this thread today, I had surgury on my left shoulder yesterday! A decompression the doctor called it. The procedure went well. at least that is what LOML said the doc told her. I was pretty much out it and have now been upright (nearly an hour now) for the longest period since they put me to sleep yesterday. Hurts like **** now, but hope that well go completely away in a couple of weeks.

Good luck with your issues!

[pushrod]

I believe my massage therapist can put her finger through a 2X4!

'Least, that's what it feels like when she's digging around under my shoulder blades or in my hips.

It's a very worthwhile, excruciating hour on the table!

[Hellrazor]

I believe my massage therapist can put her finger through a 2X4!

Luckily she wasn't a proctologist...

[pushrod]

I wish!

My proctologist told me, "This might be a little uncomfortable."

I said, "Jeez Doc, you could've at least taken off your class ring!"

He said, "Ring? That's my wristwatch!"

[Copper]

I had the same problem a year or so ago. Intense shoulder pain that I thought was caused by muscle tightness. Also had intense pain going from my shoulder down to my elbow and then on to my fingers. My thumb and index finger would occasionally get numb. I couldn't even concentrate some times becuase it hurt so bad. Ends up it was a nerve getting compressed/pinched between my 6th and 7th vertebrae (IIRC). Anyway, I spent a couple of months going to a physical therapist. He gave me stretches and flexibility exercises to do. However, it didn't really help much. Then, at one session he tried doing some "aggressive" stretching similar to what a chiropractor would do (back popping, etc.). A day or so later, the pain was gone. I still do the stretches to keep the pain from coming back and have tried changing some posture habits. My suggestion would be to see a chiropractor to get rid of the pain. They will likely try to get you started on regular visits. However, I find this unnecessary unless the pain keeps coming back regularly. Changing some habits (not slouching in front of the computer, etc.) help more than anything.

[Anna]

Hi, Stan,

I asked my husband about this (he's a radiologist), and he said that you need an MRI of the cervical spine. You might be pinching a nerve between C5 and C6, or C6 and C7.

Just a point of view.

Anna

[Stan]

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments folks, greatly appreciated. Guess I'll be making an appointment in the next couple weeks and see what results.

Whole issue is more of an annoyance than anything else, but sure would like it to 'go away'.