muscle spasms - Page 2

Beestie · 03-03-2009, 05:27 PM

Is it both sides or the right side only? I'm assuming you are right handed.

The first thing I would suspect is a pinched nerve caused by uneven muscular stress (all on one side). I used to have that problem then finally figured out how to make it stop. I moved the monitor, keyboard and mouse way back on the desk so that both forearms were resting completely on the desk (up to my elbow). That meant that I wasn't "holding up" my right arm while my left arm was relaxed. 12 - 15 hours a day of that over 10 years will definitely lead to some back stress.

As far as what to do when it happens, there's no magic bullet that hasn't already been suggested. The best thing is to try to prevent it by relaxing and balancing any exertion on your back equally on both sides. Another thing that helps a lot is to do shoulder rolls throught the day - they melt away stress. Just rotate your shoulders up, out, down and back in a continuous circle.

I've had these types of problems on and off for years and hope you find some of this helpful.

HungLikeJesus · 03-03-2009, 05:42 PM

You should try the (free) ergociser, discussed in this thread.

Shawnee123 · 03-05-2009, 07:56 AM

This was the worst one EVAH. I still couldn't move yesterday. I'm back in the land of the living today, with some pain but bearable.

I'm really going to take advice from this thread. I need to do some preventative measures. I also think that I have been through some serious stuff lately, and stress doesn't help. Must. Not. Internalize. I don't think I relax even when asleep.

Thanks for all the help.

dar512 · 03-05-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I don't think I relax even when asleep.

Regular exercise will help with this too.

Easier said than done, I know.

Shawnee123 · 03-05-2009, 02:33 PM

The weird thing is, I feel like I sleep great. With exceptions, like I have something huge on my mind, I have no trouble sleeping. It's like my brain falls asleep but my body won't go along with it.

dar512 · 03-05-2009, 03:12 PM

Logic by analogy is slippery says Heinlein, but maybe that's what exercise does. Puts your body to sleep when your brain does.

monster · 03-05-2009, 07:59 AM

have you been to an IRL doctor/physical therapist about these spasms?

Shawnee123 · 03-05-2009, 08:03 AM

A long time ago. My docs are DOs and have done some electric impulse therapy (?) and adjustments...but I really never think about it these days until I'm in the middle of one. I HATE going to the doctor, not because it scares me or anything just that it's a pain in the ass. Better than a pain in my back/shoulder I guess.

monster · 03-05-2009, 08:07 AM

Well if you can avoid them and go straight to the PT all the better... but when I had back issues, the PT located the problem area and applied pressure that immediately reduced the spasming to a bearable level, and then gave exercises and stretches which worked. just sayin'

hope you feel much better soon and manage to prevent it from happening again. you don't happen to read lying on your belly propped on your elbows a lot, do you? that's a killer for upper backs.

HungLikeJesus · 03-05-2009, 09:40 AM

Electric impulse therapy? I think you mean electroshock therapy.

Shawnee123 · 03-06-2009, 07:23 AM

But I don't wanna be vpon the racke. [\whine]

Sundae · 03-06-2009, 08:15 AM

Serves him right for being called Custard, or whatever his name is.

Shawnee I have no advice for you.
Just wanted to sympathise, sounds rotten.
And ice maiden that I am, I'd still be inclined to put something warm on an ouchie, rather than ice. Still, if it's good for you I guess you just suck it up. Good luck.

Shawnee123 · 03-06-2009, 08:25 AM

Oh thanks.

It's no big deal. I think of those who deal with chronic pain, this is just a temporary nuisance...but the fact that it made it impossible to drive to work is a concern. Not that I can't take the time off, but I don't want this to keep happening.

I could always get someone to come drag my dumbass to work at my old job, since I lived so close.

This is why I really need to think in terms of prevention.

It is still sore today, which is not usual. Where's all those damn backrubs I've been promised?

Sundae · 03-06-2009, 08:36 AM

Here! You just have the small matter of travel expenses to cover...

Shawnee123 · 03-06-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Here! You just have the small matter of travel expenses to cover...

Some day...

03-03-2009, 05:27 PM	#1
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Is it both sides or the right side only? I'm assuming you are right handed. The first thing I would suspect is a pinched nerve caused by uneven muscular stress (all on one side). I used to have that problem then finally figured out how to make it stop. I moved the monitor, keyboard and mouse way back on the desk so that both forearms were resting completely on the desk (up to my elbow). That meant that I wasn't "holding up" my right arm while my left arm was relaxed. 12 - 15 hours a day of that over 10 years will definitely lead to some back stress. As far as what to do when it happens, there's no magic bullet that hasn't already been suggested. The best thing is to try to prevent it by relaxing and balancing any exertion on your back equally on both sides. Another thing that helps a lot is to do shoulder rolls throught the day - they melt away stress. Just rotate your shoulders up, out, down and back in a continuous circle. I've had these types of problems on and off for years and hope you find some of this helpful. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

03-03-2009, 05:42 PM	#2
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	You should try the (free) ergociser, discussed in this thread. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

03-05-2009, 07:56 AM	#3
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	This was the worst one EVAH. I still couldn't move yesterday. I'm back in the land of the living today, with some pain but bearable. I'm really going to take advice from this thread. I need to do some preventative measures. I also think that I have been through some serious stuff lately, and stress doesn't help. Must. Not. Internalize. I don't think I relax even when asleep. Thanks for all the help. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-05-2009, 02:33 PM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	The weird thing is, I feel like I sleep great. With exceptions, like I have something huge on my mind, I have no trouble sleeping. It's like my brain falls asleep but my body won't go along with it. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-05-2009, 03:12 PM	#6
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Logic by analogy is slippery says Heinlein, but maybe that's what exercise does. Puts your body to sleep when your brain does. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

03-05-2009, 07:59 AM	#7
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	have you been to an IRL doctor/physical therapist about these spasms? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

03-05-2009, 08:03 AM	#8
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	A long time ago. My docs are DOs and have done some electric impulse therapy (?) and adjustments...but I really never think about it these days until I'm in the middle of one. I HATE going to the doctor, not because it scares me or anything just that it's a pain in the ass. Better than a pain in my back/shoulder I guess. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-05-2009, 08:07 AM	#9
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Well if you can avoid them and go straight to the PT all the better... but when I had back issues, the PT located the problem area and applied pressure that immediately reduced the spasming to a bearable level, and then gave exercises and stretches which worked. just sayin' hope you feel much better soon and manage to prevent it from happening again. you don't happen to read lying on your belly propped on your elbows a lot, do you? that's a killer for upper backs. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

03-05-2009, 09:40 AM	#10
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Electric impulse therapy? I think you mean electroshock therapy. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

03-06-2009, 07:23 AM	#11
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	But I don't wanna be vpon the racke. [\whine] __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-06-2009, 08:15 AM	#12
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Serves him right for being called Custard, or whatever his name is. Shawnee I have no advice for you. Just wanted to sympathise, sounds rotten. And ice maiden that I am, I'd still be inclined to put something warm on an ouchie, rather than ice. Still, if it's good for you I guess you just suck it up. Good luck. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-06-2009, 08:25 AM	#13
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Oh thanks. It's no big deal. I think of those who deal with chronic pain, this is just a temporary nuisance...but the fact that it made it impossible to drive to work is a concern. Not that I can't take the time off, but I don't want this to keep happening. I could always get someone to come drag my dumbass to work at my old job, since I lived so close. This is why I really need to think in terms of prevention. It is still sore today, which is not usual. Where's all those damn backrubs I've been promised? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

03-06-2009, 08:36 AM	#14
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Here! You just have the small matter of travel expenses to cover... __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

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