I have compression fractures in the spine. I've been living with pain since not one of my discs is in good shape, I have scoliosis, stenosis, and some fusion with narrow space for nerve. I have been getting worse. For three days, I've had a strong muscle spasm on entire side of back in rib area. I am wondering if the fractures might affect the ribs or if it is something besides arthritis, like FMS or some other pain issue that lives with me.
Thanks for any suggestions. I have been taking extra meds which I know is not a great idea, but I have to keep up some part of life besides bed.
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SecretlyDisabled7
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It has relevance to investigation because you need to take the plunge of observing what takes place. Mindful observation when in pain is not pleasant. Five minute sessions at the most to carefully test the situation. This is an investigation to see if something is effective. And to notice enough to see if fine tuning and modification would be helpful.
The legs are tied into the ribs. There is an effect by the tightness of the legs and chest and back of chest. How this will play out for you I do not know. Hence the observing of mindfulness and quietness of mind. Start with the toes of each foot. Move each toe back and forth with the very slightest of movements. Then do the ankle joints of each foot move back and forth with the slightest of movements. Then move to the knee joint and move back and forth with the slightest of movement. Then move to the hip joints and move back and forth with the slightest of movement.
The above requires a lot of concentration. Having done the legs do the fingers, hand and wrist moving with the slightest of movement. Follow this with elbow and arm. Slightest of movement is important. It is tiring and so difficult to do for long.
What I am doing is providing some sort of sensation back into the spine from subtly moving limbs to use spinal reflexes to modify back and front muscle response. From your observations you can make modifications.
Will be very interested in how the investigations goes if you can try it.
Ive had a chronic back muscle spasm and it's so difficult to live with. If I were you I'd firstly try taking something like paramol for a couple of days (from the chemist) and whilst it going into spasm rest it so you try and relax the spasm, baths, anything you find relaxing. If this doesn't help I'd try and see a dr quite quickly (if poss) for a prescription of diazepam for a week to relax the muscles whilst your back heals. If this helps and stops the spasms I'd just do gentle exercise for a while afterwards...like swimming nothing to traumatic to the area....muscles have memory n you want them to forget about going into an overprotective spasm but you don't want to remain to cautious after the spasm that they sized up.
I had back spasms that took a while to get treatment for and they became chronic despite 9 months intensive physiotherapy..including hydrotherapy and I still I get them every day.
Hi, I had 3 back ops and then I broke a vertebrae (compression fracture). I was in a lot of pain. My surgeon did another MRI 2 month after the break and it had healed but I had so much pain. He felt my back and said it is all muscle tension and scar tissue now. My whole back was tensed up. He suggested another spinal injection and then myofascial release therapy before starting my physio. So far it does seem to help but it is very early days yet. I don’t feel as tense now in my back. I had never heard of myofascial therapy but it might be worth a try in your case.
Myofascial release was very effective for me after multiple discs prolapsed resulting in two lots of surgery and a series of nerve root ganglion block injections. Was in a lot of pain for months and then started seeing a Personal Trainer who showed me how to do myofascial release. I now swear by it if I get any (non-joint) pain and it really works.
I had never heard of it before. I bought the book “living pain free” by Amanda Oswald. As it happens she also treats me. You can probably find a myofascial therapist in your area who will discuss with you what it is. The book I mentioned also teaches some self help exercises.
Thank you for all of the advice. I am afraid the mind over matter doesn't work as well as medications. After all, if that were true, we could think so many things away, even climate change, the death of flowers in autumn, etc.
I do like the relaxation, however. The diazepam helped, but some tightness persists. Heat also helped. Thanks everyone.
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