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I Can't Be the Only Person With This Issue
This summer will be 3 years from when my chronic pain started. I have had spinal fusion surgery (November of 2025) in the Lumbar area, however, the Paraspinal muscles along the right side of the Thoracic area, and my Right Side Oblique muscles, are permanently locked/spasmed.
I have been to multiple hospitals, I have seen 30+ medical professionals, and I have tried Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, Trigger Point Injections, Dysport Injections (similar to Botox), Cupping, and my latest endeavor has been working with PT's that specialize in Scoliosis treatment.
None of these muscles have ever released over the past 3 years, and after an Epidural back in February, my Oblique Muscles actually got tighter than they had been. No one I have seen, from all of the top hospitals in the city, has any idea why my muscles are locked, and no one has any idea how to unlock them.
This brings me to my subject title, I can't be the only person in the world with this issue. Someone has had to have seen, or even experienced this, and has an idea of the treatment needed to unlock my muscles.
Thank you for reading!
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@heisenberg34
I've done it in the past, but for something much more specific not for what I have now, but I have plenty of group members I mean a couple of groups not with himself, but with colleagues and there are many many people who have success in that, but it's it takes a long time it takes a lot of consistency and persistence and you need one needs a coach and there's the Curable app and there's a lot of information in classes and you can try it for free so it might be something just to look at and if you look at recovery stories on YouTube you'll find a lot
@heisenberg34
I have done biofeedback back and it has helped with my migraines
@mmata Thank you for your message. I understand what you are saying with the family aspect, and something that helps me is my grandson. My family is visiting me this coming weekend, and concentrating on making things as good for them as I can helps me not think about the pain as much. Thank you again, have a great week!
@heyjoe415 Thank you again, Joe. I will definitely look into dry needling. I have worked with a couple of physical therapists since January, and I did receive help regarding strength, stretching, and breathing techniques. This is helping me move more, but unfortunately, it is not helping with the pain. It just seems if these muscles can be released, most of my problem will go away.
I'm not giving up, I have to keep looking, as someone, somewhere has to have an idea what to do.
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2 Reactions@marcd2k
Have a wonderful visit with your family. Enjoy every minute as you all build memories together to warm your hearts, for years to come.
mmata
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2 ReactionsWell that sounds pretty dreadful, but from even a few minutes clicking around it does not sound all that unusual.
I did find this:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/spasticity-management/about/pac-20395011
And the last item on the list says:
"Neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery procedures. Surgical procedures to release tightened tendons or destroy the motor nerves of sensory spinal roots may stop the spasticity."
I suppose this is not cheap and nobody wants to recommend it without exhausting every other option, but I'm surprised if nobody has even mentioned it.
Hope that helps, or something helps, or a miracle occurs - whatever it takes!
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1 Reaction@carbcounter Hello, and thanks for replying. I just went to the page you sent the link for, and I can honestly say no one has mentioned any of this to me. Every major hospital in my city, and doctors that are supposed to be the top in their field, and no one has a clue.
After three years, I can safely say I've tried every other option. This has been my full-time job since July of 2023. Constant research, watching, reading, writing to people all over the world. I really do not want to have another surgery, but it is looking like some type of surgery will be necessary to unlock my muscles.
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1 Reaction@marcd2k
Doctors are not in the education business, I have certainly found this true myself many times. And their criteria for mentioning alternatives often mystifies me.
Since it's been around I've also done my own consults with "Doctor Google" for my own issues, and often those of friends and relatives. Most doctors have become accustomed to their patients doing this. And now we have the chatbots, too!
And sometimes the doctors will do some kind of search right there with the patient in the room - and sometimes I'm ready to shout at them that they SHOULD do so!
And this is medicine today.
We also must remember that each procedure has its associated side effects and risks. Doctor Google is not really ready for prime time but it is at least good for putting topics on the table.
Best wishes.
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1 ReactionYou're very welcome Marc. You are a warrior and resilient - I admire those qualities in people.
I suggest you ask your PTs about dry needling, and if they can refer you to someone. That's how I found someone after working with a PT post shoulder replacement.
Up to that point, I had chronic tightness in my upper back (not the pain you describe, but very tight). After 2 months of bi-weeky needling sessions, that tightness is much looser. So if you do try dry needling, give it two/three months, 2 sessions/month, to show results.
As for the cost, I pay $89/session, 30 minute sessions. It's not cheap, about the same as a very good massage, with better results IMO.
As always Marc, I wish you the best in your search for relief.
Joe
This is very interesting CC. I've never heard of it, and I've spent a lot of time with orthopedic Drs, including my current surgeon, and countless hours of my own research.
I'm wondering if this would help with tightness from scoliosis. I'm 71 now and 5'10" tall. In my 20s I was 6'1" tall. Certainly some of the decrease in height is due to the scoliosis, and overall disc degeneration in my back. And I ran a lot of marathons in my 30s and 40s, and that contributed to disc compression and lower height.
Anyway, thanks for the useful link!
Joe