muscle spasms
No guys, not that muscle.
I woke up in the middle of the night with my upper back muscle(s?) going into spasm. Since this happens every couple months or so, I thought "here we go." I can fall back asleep in seconds, so I did, and I woke back up about 5:30 in immense pain and took 3 ibuprofen.
My alarm went off for work and I could barely even get out of bed to shut it off. I can't turn my head without pain, so driving into work seemed a bit unsafe, so I'm home. I took 2 more ibuprofen around 10:30, with little relief. A hot bath helped. Lying down isn't any better than sitting up.
Once it stops spasming it will be really sore for a couple days, then I'll forget about it until the next time.
I think I can attribute the incidents in part to the fact that I'm on a computer all day at work, then come home and play on the computer. I probably never untense certain muscles?
I don't know. Does anyone experience this or have any ideas for prevention, or herbal remedies? Short of quitting my job and my cellar and my games, that is. ;)
Ice is better than heat for short term relief.
Back and ab exercises to strengthen your core for long term.
But heat feels good.
What about Icy Hot? I have some, but it makes me smell like the track team bus.
But heat feels good.
What about Icy Hot? I have some, but it makes me smell like the track team bus.
I dunno about icy hot. The doc told me for my spasms that heat feels good while you're doing it, but doesn't slow down the spasms. Ice does.
I had neck muscle spasms for a week. The doc at the ER told me about the ice. After an afternoon of ice pack (off and on), I was doing much better.
try eating more bananas (for the potassium)
if that doesn't work, try SOMA.
I think exercising and stretching muscles would help. Just get a small barbell or bottle of water and use it to help stretch your shoulder muscles (raise it and lower the weight behind your neck, then raise it again, rinse & repeat) or shoulder rolls. They sound painful, but might be worth it if you can get back rubs out of them. ;)
What about Icy Hot? I have some, but it makes me smell like the track team bus.
Aspercreme is the one muscle rub that is actually being truthful when they say "odorless." It really doesn't smell like anything at all, so it's the only one I let Mr. Clod use.
smells like the track team bus
user title
row row row your boat
upper back exercises would be my best guess too. start slow though.
Thanks. I started putting ice on it (brrr) and I'll get some bananas and start doing those damn exercise things.
That backrub idea is a good one too, though. ;)
I'd wait until it feels a little better before diving into the exercises.
lol...since I can barely move right now, I think that's a given.
Do you have your work area set up so your posture is good? Why not try doing some of those sit behind the desk type excercises that you can do throughout the day to keep your muscles from getting stiff?
I'd go with the ice too. My brother is a chiro and he's the one that told me that heat is rarely the answer to back or neck pain.
It might be worth going to see either a doc, physio or chiro though. Especially if the pain is that intense. There could be more to it than just muscle soreness.
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.
You should try the (free) ergociser, discussed
in this thread.
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.
have you been to an IRL doctor/physical therapist about these spasms?
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.
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.
Electric impulse therapy? I think you mean electroshock therapy.
...I started putting ice on it (brrr) and I'll get some bananas and start doing those damn exercise things...
Taken out of context, this sounds funny. :D
I don't think I relax even when asleep.
Regular exercise will help with this too.
Easier said than done, I know.
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.
Logic by analogy is slippery says Heinlein, but maybe that's what exercise does. Puts your body to sleep when your brain does. :D
How about some alternative therapy?
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I'd give you the backrub if I was there :)
But I don't wanna be vpon the racke. [\whine]
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.
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? :rolleyes:
Here! You just have the small matter of travel expenses to cover...
Shawnee, I've read that when you have back pain due to sitting too long at the computer, the problem is really in the chest and shoulder muscles. They get too tight and you need to stretch them.
For example, put your hand on the wall at shoulder height (with your fingers parallel to the floor) and try to turn so your back is facing the wall. Repeat on the other side.
Or hold a towel in front of you with both hands and bring it up and above your head and as far back as you can.
I will try that. Thanks! :)
Here! You just have the small matter of travel expenses to cover...
Some day...:)