Back problem questions..

[JohnnyTheFox]

I hurt my back about 5 weeks ago working out. I went to the dr and she said a had a knot/twisted muscle around my left shoulder blade.
I saw pretty good results with flexaril{muscle relaxer},naproxen and ample amounts of icy hot.
I swam a bit the other day thinking it would be good to stretch them out and am basically back to square one.
The worse thing is at night the pain is not only around my shoulder blade but runs down my tricep to my elbow....which does a good job of keeping me awake.
Ive also used the heating pad quite a bit but have stayed away from ice thinking your only supposed to apply ice immediately after injury.
I do have a another drs appointment for later this week tho.
Any advice or tips?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Unless you are really lucky my advice to you is get used to it.

Ever since I hurt my back it has never been the same.

You might get better, you might have long stretches of time where it does not bother you but at the same time it seems like it does not take much to get it bothering me again. Sometimes just sitting in an uncomfortable chair for a bit and I get muscle pains/spasms now.

Now again...maybe you will be good to go once it is healed up...but don't be shocked if it is something that sticks with you to a degree.

Sorry getting older and backs...suck.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

If you have good insurance, you should ask to go to physical therapy. Make sure that the one you go to has a masseuse that specializes in "trigger points" or knots. They can help break down the knots over time depending on the severity. If it is an extreme case, you can also ask your doctor to refer you to an anesthesiologist or muscle specialist and they can give you trigger point injections. The injections contain local anesthetic and cortisone. The intent of the injections is to loosen/inactivate the knot.

Usually, the doctor will recommend that the person get a massage after the TPI.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Thanks guys.....Will ask the dr about the injection on friday.

 

[RobK26]

I usually alternate ice and heat. I also use tiger balm, it works well for me.

Hope you have a speedy recovery! Back pain is the WORST!

 

[Viper]

Ask the Dr. for a Flector patch. You put it directly on the injury. It's an anti-inflamitory. The thing works wonders.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Ask the Dr. for a Flector patch. You put it directly on the injury. It's an anti-inflamitory. The thing works wonders.

Will do.........Thanks!

 

[Rynie]

Ask the Dr. for a Flector patch. You put it directly on the injury. It's an anti-inflamitory. The thing works wonders.

I think I'll do the same. Everything in my right shoulder is inflammed from the Tendonitis I've developed over the years. Glad I opened this thread.

 

[Kevinicus]

Biofreeze.

For relief, not a cure.