I know this question almost seems rhetorical but I've had trouble with what I assume is an intermittent muscle spasm somewhere between my neck and scapula area for quite some time now. When it flares it constricts a nerve that goes down my arm so it can be painful. The spasm will last around 5 days at a time. Most of the time I usually wake up with the pain so it could be a night of sleeping funny but why is the muscle THAT sensitive? I've done two different rounds and philosophies of PT and neither has helped so I thought I'd ask you wise women.
I saw my non PCP doc (who seems to know something about everything) and he suggested I get a cervical neck pillow. He said it would keep my neck stable while sleeping and hopefully eliminate whatever it is I am doing while I sleep. I picked it up immediately after my appointment. Hopefully it will be the best $13 I ever spent.
Thank you for all the suggestions!
I would get a deep tissue massage. Tell the person about the pain you are having. Otherwise, a chiropractor might help. Or both.
I discovered during some emotional work that I held certain thoughts and beliefs in my body in different ways. Once I found ways to acknowledge and release (at least partially) those emotional patterns and tensions, the neck and shoulder muscle spasms I used to get have become very infrequent. I think my daughter suffers from the same thing, but in her case it could simply be physical tension from trying to keep up a pretty grueling schedule.
I"d go to a chiropractor..
I would definitely go and see a chiropractor neither a dr or a pt will be able to help much. You may have something pinched or out of alignment. This can cause muscle spasms. If you get adjusted a few times then it will more than likely go away. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water as well.
Hi, B. D.:
Sounds like your spine is out of alignment.
Call Dr James Stein's offce and ask him at
###-###-####
Or ask them for a referral in your area.
D.
Could it be a pinched nerve? Did either of your PT's use a TENS unit or anything? Some doctors will prescribe them and then insurance will cover a lot of the expense. They are great for relieving muscle pain and don't involve medication. I would probably ask your doctor about it.
Hope you feel better soon!
I would see a doctor (your family doctor may be able to do this, so see a doctor for orthopedics or sports medicine) to rule out any spinal problems like a bulging or slipped disk.
I am not usually a proponent of chiropractics, but they are usually really helpful for back problems, so if your doctor doesn't find anything "conventional" that would be the route I'd go.
I would also make sure that you are always well hydrated and get enough calcium and potassium in your diet.
Good luck.
You did not mention any injuries...so I assume none??
I would be worried about a pinched nerve or bulging disc. So I recommend you see a Neurologist who could confirm, or hopefully rule out those types of issues. An MRI would be your best diagnostic tool. I would do that before seeing a chiropractor if you decide to got that route. PT and chiropractic manipulations could aggravate and worsen a disc issue.
Where in your arm does the pain shoot from and end? Front shoulder? Back elbow? Deep? Surface? Throbbing? Sharp? Feels like needles? Dull and achy? Does the pain limit your range of motion?
Do muscle relaxants help? Have you tried massage?
Does sleeping on your back help?
If it is like mine, you cant sleep on that arm at the top of your bed it brings on pain. Do you rock when you sleep? Dont. Had this for 20 yrs. Drs say its nothing... yeah right!
One of THE most common causes is either Calcium or Potassium deficiency. Calcium constricts and Potassium relaxes. If you are low on EITHER it can cause a spasm.
This is particularly common in women as we age, since our calcium levels drop significantly.
If you're feeling sluggish especially before the spasm hits, try a calcium chew (or drink milk/ eat spinach). Also can help during. But DURING make sure to eat a banana. ((The reason we go into rigamortis when we die, btw, is all the extra calcium in our blood soaks into our muscles, causing them to contract/ freeze.)). While it would seem to make sense to avoid calcium during cramps/spasms an imbalance actually makes it worse... since the less ca++ the less k+ your body sends to relax the muscles.
Other common causes (less easy to treat than with milk and bananas)
- injury
- stress
- bad shoes
- over use/ tendonitis/ inflammation of the fascia
- wonky nerve (especially after significant weight gain (any pregnancy counts), weight loss, surgery
- referred pain (ACTUALLY something else is injured or diseased, but the nerves mix up the signals and freak out one or more muscles)
Drink more water, and take potassium.
This happens to me when I sleep on my stomach for any length of time, even a few minutes during the night. I always turn my head to the left when I'm on my stomach, and if I sleep this way, it is the muscle on the right side of my neck-scapula that spasms for the next few days.
I tried chiropracters and professional massages when it happened and they never helped. Then I figured out that I just shouldn't sleep on my stomach, even though it feels perfectly comfortable when I'm doing it.
If your muscles are triggered in your neck, chest, and shoulders you will feel muscle spasms. The nerve you are talking about is also responsible for carpel tunnel syndrome. It's located in the joints between your shoulder and scapula in the front. Your minor pecs are probably tight and swollen, causing it to press on the nerve just below. Go to a CMT (Clinical Massage Therapy) rather than a LMT (Licenses Massage Therapist) as they have more advanced training.
