4 replies to this topic

[brynot]

Since I'm incomplete, I certainly overwork my weak back and stomach muscles. Meaning I try to do normal things and really cause a lot of knots in my back muscles.
For a long time I had really bad pain on my right side in the middle of my back. I went to a lot of doctors (neurologists, etc..), I had MRI's done and no one could give me an answer as to the exact origin. They wanted to inject cortisone, but I thought that was just a temporary solution. So, I decided to go to a massage therapist. That and a daily regiment of stretching have always helped immensely. As a matter of fact, if I keep up on it, I have very little pain. At least on a daily basis. That's not say I'm without pain. If I sit up without support, I last about two minutes before my neck and back hurt, but that's not that aching horrible pain that makes you want to scream. You know what I mean? The kind that keeps you up all night and brings you almost to the point of tears. Actually, it usually makes me laugh at what a ridiculous situation my body is in. That's about the time I think "damn, I need to get back on those massage appointments."

Has anyone tried acupuncture? I never have. I'm afraid my legs would spasm and kick someone in the face. I guess that's what I pay them for though, right? Ok, kidding. Well, not about the spasms.

Speaking of spasms. I've gotten a few tattoos since my injury, and it's rather humorous. The tattoo artist usually gets mad that I can't feel the pain he is doling out, and then he gets frustrated that my legs keep spasming. I usually have to have them belted down or the guy just sits on my legs. Ha! It' a strange life we all lead.

[edlee]

You might want to reconsider the cortisone shots. I get them once a year , in my shoulders for bursitis and tendonitis. Works pretty well. I am usually painfree ( in the shoulders) for 6 to 9 months, then it gets progressively worse till it's back to where I started. Then two more shots.

5 years now and the plan is still working. Knock on wood!!

ed

[T-Crip]

brynot, on Jun 5 2007, 11:20 PM, said:

Since I'm incomplete, I certainly overwork my weak back and stomach muscles. Meaning I try to do normal things and really cause a lot of knots in my back muscles.
For a long time I had really bad pain on my right side in the middle of my back. I went to a lot of doctors (neurologists, etc..), I had MRI's done and no one could give me an answer as to the exact origin. They wanted to inject cortisone, but I thought that was just a temporary solution. So, I decided to go to a massage therapist. That and a daily regiment of stretching have always helped immensely. As a matter of fact, if I keep up on it, I have very little pain. At least on a daily basis. That's not say I'm without pain. If I sit up without support, I last about two minutes before my neck and back hurt, but that's not that aching horrible pain that makes you want to scream. You know what I mean? The kind that keeps you up all night and brings you almost to the point of tears. Actually, it usually makes me laugh at what a ridiculous situation my body is in. That's about the time I think "damn, I need to get back on those massage appointments."

Has anyone tried acupuncture? I never have. I'm afraid my legs would spasm and kick someone in the face. I guess that's what I pay them for though, right? Ok, kidding. Well, not about the spasms.

Speaking of spasms. I've gotten a few tattoos since my injury, and it's rather humorous. The tattoo artist usually gets mad that I can't feel the pain he is doling out, and then he gets frustrated that my legs keep spasming. I usually have to have them belted down or the guy just sits on my legs. Ha! It' a strange life we all lead.

That is pretty funny! I am seeing a holistic doc tomorrow and am going to look in to that exact thing for my back pain too. I am a nurse and Iknow long term steroid shots can do some damage too. I know somone else here her son I think did acupuncure and said it worked great for him which is why I am seriously considering it. That and I hate taking pain pills!

[brynot]

T-Crip, on Jun 6 2007, 07:31 PM, said:

brynot, on Jun 5 2007, 11:20 PM, said:

Since I'm incomplete, I certainly overwork my weak back and stomach muscles. Meaning I try to do normal things and really cause a lot of knots in my back muscles.
For a long time I had really bad pain on my right side in the middle of my back. I went to a lot of doctors (neurologists, etc..), I had MRI's done and no one could give me an answer as to the exact origin. They wanted to inject cortisone, but I thought that was just a temporary solution. So, I decided to go to a massage therapist. That and a daily regiment of stretching have always helped immensely. As a matter of fact, if I keep up on it, I have very little pain. At least on a daily basis. That's not say I'm without pain. If I sit up without support, I last about two minutes before my neck and back hurt, but that's not that aching horrible pain that makes you want to scream. You know what I mean? The kind that keeps you up all night and brings you almost to the point of tears. Actually, it usually makes me laugh at what a ridiculous situation my body is in. That's about the time I think "damn, I need to get back on those massage appointments."

Has anyone tried acupuncture? I never have. I'm afraid my legs would spasm and kick someone in the face. I guess that's what I pay them for though, right? Ok, kidding. Well, not about the spasms.

Speaking of spasms. I've gotten a few tattoos since my injury, and it's rather humorous. The tattoo artist usually gets mad that I can't feel the pain he is doling out, and then he gets frustrated that my legs keep spasming. I usually have to have them belted down or the guy just sits on my legs. Ha! It' a strange life we all lead.

That is pretty funny! I am seeing a holistic doc tomorrow and am going to look in to that exact thing for my back pain too. I am a nurse and Iknow long term steroid shots can do some damage too. I know somone else here her son I think did acupuncure and said it worked great for him which is why I am seriously considering it. That and I hate taking pain pills!

Yeah, pain pills stink and they destroy your liver. Bad times there. As for the cortisone, I'm down with doing things without shots or meds and so far so good; even if it means a little extra effort.

[sfultong]

I've had acupuncture, but not for pain. A friend of my family is an acupuncturist, and she works on me for free as a gift... although I may help her with computer issues in trade. Why do I have it done, if not for pain? Well, I guess for general health... I may feel more relaxed after she does it. My mother goes to her for stress relief.

As for spasms when the points activate: yes, it does happen. If the point takes a while to activate, and "pressure" builds, I usually get a quick, sharp spasm. It is not my normal vibrating spasm pattern, it is just a quick jerk... I think I may have had these sort of spasms pre-injury when getting acupuncture, actually.

The acupuncturist is impressed that I still feel the points activate after my injury. I suppose it's not too surprising, as I think that I've only really lost surface sensation.