1. < Spine Health

Mid-back muscle spasms: Unending

Posted by ksdm @ksdm, Mar 12 3:48pm

Does anyone else have thorasic muscle spasms in their back? I have been getting them about 4 times a year for 20 years. They usually last about 6 weeks and go away at night so I can sleep. I have tried all medicines that might be appropriate and nothing stops the spasms during the day. Sitting, lying, standing doesn't matter. The drugs make me feel sick and can't eat and I can't afford to lose weight. Wrecking my life!!

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ksdm | @ksdm | Jul 9 11:33am
In reply to @gently "ksdm, you've declined, so I'm not trying to convince you. X-ray doesn't reveal the entire picture..." + (show)
@gently

ksdm, you've declined, so I'm not trying to convince you. X-ray doesn't reveal the entire picture as is clear in your situation. Even MRI which is more revealing, and I would request in your situation, doesn't tell you everything. Displacement of bone, ever so small, usually causes muscle spasm or muscle pain. SI joint dysfunction is rarely discovered on imaging because the movement of the joint is so small. Better than adjustments are the physical exam that chiropractor provide. Your pain sounds like SI joint to me. Your experience with PT and with imaging and pain are so like mine.
Accepting your thanks, and disinclination, I wish you the very best luck finding cause and remedy.

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I just made an appointment with a chiropractor!

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1 reply
gently | @gently | Jul 9 11:57am
In reply to @ksdm "The muscle that spasms is in the thoracic area, nowhere near the SI joint. If a..." + (show)
@ksdm

The muscle that spasms is in the thoracic area, nowhere near the SI joint. If a chiropractor would just look at my back and give me an idea of what he thought was causing this thoracic muscle to spasm I'd consider an appointment. I don't believe my insurance covers chiropractor visits. What I don't want is someone "adjusting" my back! That surely would cause a spasm and I can't risk another one. The one I have now is debilitating, to say the least. sitting on the sofa for weeks at a time until it decides I've suffered enough!!

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@kdsm, the very best of chiropractics is the way they understand the full spinal effect of a single shift in spinal position. You don't need to have a spinal adju stment to get a consultation. Medicare doesn't pay for the consultation and it is likely to run you 80$.
It is the cooking and washing dishes that get me. Then if I lie down on an ice pack I get some relief.
The degree and location of your scoliotic curves might be determining the location of the spasms. Beside the S of the scoliotic curve there is also a twisting of the spine on a rotational level (torque) that complicates care.
The adjustments stop the spasm for me.
It was a chiropractor who took x-rays of my full spine and penciled in the degree of rotation at the significant levels. A physiatrist might be able to do something similar.
https://scoliosissystems.com/scoliosis/scoliosis-treatment/scoliosis-surface-topography/
best wishes

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rashida | @rashida | Jul 9 12:30pm
In reply to @ksdm "I just made an appointment with a chiropractor!" + (show)
@ksdm

I just made an appointment with a chiropractor!

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@ksdm - make sure to enquire about a senior’s rate! Most chiropractors offer senior rates. At least they do, in Ontario, Canada.

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sassytwo | @sassytwo | Jul 10 6:54am
In reply to @ksdm "My spasms are very painful, coming on every 15 seconds. I am on my third week..." + (show)
@ksdm

My spasms are very painful, coming on every 15 seconds. I am on my third week of them now. They stop at night so I can sleep. I believe doctors don't care much about older folks. I am 82 and feel the "brush off"! I've had every test, x-ray, CT scan, MRI and nothing shows up.

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i am so sorry, that sounds horrible

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OTTADV | @ottadv | Jul 10 1:50pm

Instead of a chiropractor, I would recommend a D.O. who is trained and practices Osteo Manipulative Therapy. I knew of someone who had been going to the chiropractor for pain relief and discovered by the DO it was an aortic aneurysm. I have seen many chiropractors with some relief but have learned that if there is a hidden problem, they can do more harm than good. For years I saw a chiropractor with no relief and found that I had spondylolisthesis and spinal fusion.

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1 reply
ksdm | @ksdm | Jul 10 6:59pm
In reply to @ottadv "Instead of a chiropractor, I would recommend a D.O. who is trained and practices Osteo Manipulative..." + (show)
@ottadv

Instead of a chiropractor, I would recommend a D.O. who is trained and practices Osteo Manipulative Therapy. I knew of someone who had been going to the chiropractor for pain relief and discovered by the DO it was an aortic aneurysm. I have seen many chiropractors with some relief but have learned that if there is a hidden problem, they can do more harm than good. For years I saw a chiropractor with no relief and found that I had spondylolisthesis and spinal fusion.

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I appreciate your advice, but I have had CT scans, x-rays and MRIs and all said I had nothing wrong with my back (except the muscle that likes to spasm) I am going (for the first time) to a chiropractor next week for an interview. I am skeptical, but am desperate to live my life! Thank you for your advice!

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1 reply
OTTADV | @ottadv | Jul 11 2:35pm

If your doctors have cleared you, go for it. Chiropractors can often help, as do D.O.s. I don't recall, have you tried acupuncture? I had a physical therapist do this to me for spasms in my neck area.

Good luck.
P.S. I would bet money the Chiropractor will say he can help you. Hope so.

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1 reply
ksdm | @ksdm | Jul 11 3:47pm
In reply to @ottadv "If your doctors have cleared you, go for it. Chiropractors can often help, as do D.O.s...." + (show)
@ottadv

If your doctors have cleared you, go for it. Chiropractors can often help, as do D.O.s. I don't recall, have you tried acupuncture? I had a physical therapist do this to me for spasms in my neck area.

Good luck.
P.S. I would bet money the Chiropractor will say he can help you. Hope so.

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I will see! I tried acupuncture but it didn't help. It seems like such a simple ailment! One muscle that is twitching. (over and over and over) I had a shot of cortisone last week and it didn't do anything...I don't get it. It's not like heart surgery!

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susanjane77 | @susanjane77 | Jul 12 9:47am
In reply to @ksdm "I appreciate your advice, but I have had CT scans, x-rays and MRIs and all said..." + (show)
@ksdm

I appreciate your advice, but I have had CT scans, x-rays and MRIs and all said I had nothing wrong with my back (except the muscle that likes to spasm) I am going (for the first time) to a chiropractor next week for an interview. I am skeptical, but am desperate to live my life! Thank you for your advice!

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I have seen 2 chiropractors and they both made my back worse! If you can see an orthopedic back doctor, I believe you will get better advice. Just my humble opinion.

I will never see another chiropractor and my orthopedist states they can be of some use (pain mgmt) but “cracking” the back is the worse thing that can be done to a back.

If you have muscle back spasms, there are medications to take that work great but you need an MD. Good luck!

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1 reply
ksdm | @ksdm | Jul 12 4:31pm

That has always been my perception of chiropractors! I've never been to one and now, thanks to you, will not be going! Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a medication that stops the spasm and I have been prescribed many! I wound up with gastritis from taking pain meds. If you know of one that works, please let me know, my doctor will be more than happy to prescribe it! I went to an orthopedic back doctor last week and he gave me a shot (cortisone??) which did not affect my spasm. I think now, after three weeks of stabbing pain every 15 seconds it is beginning to fade. Time will tell. I also have an appointment with a pain management doctor on Thursday. Thank you!

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