Myofascial pain

[symbioidlj]

So, I've had this pain off and on over the past year or two, but never thought much of it. But this past week it's been concerning to me, so I called the doctor to check it out. Mostly due to it's location. Neck/chest/shoulder, left side. It's has a very particular locus. In fact, there are multiple points (trigger points, I guess), but there seems to be one in particular that really bothers me. One is on the left side of the chest, near the clavicle. I can feel it like it's connected to another point on my back, along the edge of the shoulder blade.

sophy mentioned myofascial pain syndrome, and looking at the muscle group mentioned (trapezius) and the description (upper neck/chest/shoulder pain, usually on one side), it makes a lot of sense.

I have an appointment monday, and I printed muscle diagrams, and drew circles on the areas I feel the pain. They are definitely distinct localized areas. I have other areas (the left side "chord" of my neck muscle, I can feel, along with about two or 3 others).

Not all are always bothering me. For instance the main concern this past week was the chest/shoulder one, and that's why I called, because I'm obviously at risk for heart issues, and want to rule that out. But seeing that I do have other muscle pains in the region it might indicate something myofascial in nature.

We'll see. I bet Myofascial release would work for me, as I know how I respond to heavy pressure on points (I treat myself in other areas by pushing on points)... The location of this makes it hard/impossible to really treat myself.

I'm hoping that's all it is. They said a tumor can also cause pain like this, so that's a good thing to rule out. If so, then a little physical therapy will probably do wonders. I really hope it's nothing more.

Comments

[narcissuskisses.livejournal.com]

I went to a myofascial massage therapist for about 8 months. I stopped because I just couldn't handle the pain anymore. I'm sure it was doing me good and would have been beneficial in the long run if I had stuck with it, but it is the most painful type of massage I've ever experienced. But maybe it was just my therapist.

[symbioid.livejournal.com]

Hmm...

Well I am really good at knowing my trigger points, and I know what it's like to have them released when I have the strength to do so.

I can imagine someone not having a good technique and working it too hard, so that it inflames the area afterwards. My guess is that's what happened to you? Or was it only while the massage was happening that you felt the pain?

I have a fairly high tolerance for pain in that regards. I really hope that's all it is, and not some sort of tumor or heart issue. I can handle a little pain more than finding out I'm gonna die soon.

[narcissuskisses.livejournal.com]

The woman has been a myofascial massage therapist for something like 25 years. Maybe her style is a bit more aggressive than most? I have a pretty high tolerance for pain as well. I would try to grin and bear it, but a few times I told her that something she was doing really hurt. She would always tell me that the muscles were really tight and just needed to release. And then she would push on me even harder and say that she just felt everything release and that I would feel much better afterward. The pain was mostly during the massage itself, but I didn't feel magically wonderful afterward, either.

[symbioid.livejournal.com]

I've actually thought about going to massage school, though never really seriously considered it. I don't think I'm in the best health for such a thing, but I do have a generally good sense of pain points in the body and the general musculature, so I think I'd do well.

But people probably don't want fat, hairy, rotting-teeth massage therapists. *sigh*

[narcissuskisses.livejournal.com]

Back in high school I considered massage therapy as a career as well, but then I decided that I'm just not physically strong enough to do that all day. Now I have repetitive stress injury symptoms from so much computer use, so I'd be even worse at it now.