Back & Neck Pain

I've had "trigger points" in my back off and on for several years now. They tend to develop and then sort of come and go depending on circumstances, and never really go away on their own. I've had a few steriod shots over the past years when they have really gotten bothersome, and they work wonders! I just had a couple injected a few weeks ago and they went away, but now I'm feeling some pain from some other points that I think I may have just not noticed because the others were so painful before the injection.

I've done heat and ice at different times, with only short term success. I've done stretching, but sometimes that just exacerbates the problem. When I walk reguarly, they tend to be less painful. Right now, life is just pretty busy and physical activity on a regular basis to the extent that it helps the trigger points isn't in the cards for me now.

I'm wondering if anyone has any other suggestions for less invasive treatments for trigger points. Anyone tried a chiropractor for trigger points? Was it succesfull, and if so, was the success long-term? The shots work really well for me, but I'm not crazy about steriod shots too often.

Thanks,

Kathy

Welcome Kathy!

Beanygurl had some great suggestions, the same that I was going to add earlier. My computer decided to act up and I wasn't able to post earlier...darned computers! lol

CL of  Back & Neck Pain and  Stomach, Digestive & Bowel Disorders 

 

I have trigger and tender points because of a soft tissue thoracic injury from a car accident a few years back.

I use heat A LOT. When the pain won't stop and it moves on to spasms I end up taking valium and percocet and even then it takes a day or two to really go away. It is like a migraine in that way.

Once a year, I'll go to a physical therapist. Massage, Ultrasound (LOVE that!), and exercises make it so that I can get through the year with only minor flare ups.

I also like the new stone therapies at spas. They use hot, smooth stones on your back and massage out tense spots. Very nice.

If there is an end to all of this, I have never seen it and no doctor has ever given me a good answer to how to strengthen the muscles for good.

So I have decided to continue doing these things and try to use the drugs as infrequently as is possible. You just eventually get to a point where they are not as effective any more and that's not what I want. I have never done the injections, but I don't think I want to.

I had to have one of those in my shoulder one time (for bursitis) and I hit the roof. Then my arm was in so much pain for a week I couldn't use it much. No thanks, but if they work for you keep them in your plan.

I hope that helps...

Thanks for sharing what has helped you!

Sometimes all we can do is share different things we've tried, since doctors don't always have any good ideas.

CL of  Back & Neck Pain and  Stomach, Digestive & Bowel Disorders