@lisalucier I was desperate to get off the opioids, so I was looking for everything I could think of to rehab my muscles. My husband's massages were the first step. He would put pressure on the spots I indicated and then try to push the knot out, following my directions. Once I was able to get in for a massage, the professional deep tissue massage was also very helpful at addressing the most painful knots. My husband went looking for other interventions and borrowed a tens unit and several vibrators. The tens unit helped only minimally and the vibrators not at all. He did pick up several types of Aspercreme, which is actually lidocaine and not aspirin. The Aspercreme patches worked the best for me. When I was finally released to begin physical therapy it was difficult to make any progress because of the intense muscle spasms and the therapist offered dry needling. The dry needling was what actually helped the most when combined with stretching exercises and ice. It was painful, but nothing near the continued pain I had been living with for months. Following the treatments there was so much relief over the next 2 to 3 days that I absolutely think it was worth the initial pain.

Now I am almost completely pain free every day and so grateful to be so. Stretching and walking are absolutely the best for me. I am so pleased to be able to report that I can now prepare a simple meal and walk 2000-3000 steps at a time. Just 2 short months ago I was almost bed bound. I still have weakness and fatigue, but am overall so much better and encouraged to keep improving.