Torn Muscle Pain

Former Member

Around 2 years ago I tore my trapezius muscle in my upper back. I suffered with multiple muscle spasms daily, severe swelling around my ribs and pain in my neck. Endless doctors appointments, physio appointments and chiropractic treatments later...I gave up with the "medically qualified" people who gave me the advice that I had caused permanent damage, which would mean; never being able to walk for long periods of time, I wouldn't be able to sit/stand for long periods and would never be able to do any heavy lifting or any form of proper exercise again....I took up resting, eating sensibily and not doing anything that could cause further damage. The pain eventually subsided...I no longer had any muscle spasms and I began to re-introduce exercise, etc. This was the end of 2011/beginning of 2012...

I have been pain free for 99% of the time since then, until now...now all my previous symptoms have returned - just as painful as the first time but I have no idea how to stop the pain, as the medication I was using is no longer available, due to the side effects and methods I had adopted to deal with the pain aren't really an option now. For instance; I changed sleeping pattern to accommodate the lack of sleep I would get between midnight - 3am, this meant going to bed very early in the evening so I would still get enough sleep in total each night...I can't do this due to work/studying commitments and needing a social life!

I have tried strong painkillers, heat, ice, resting and massaging it but nothing helps. I guess my main concerns are the muscle spasms and the swelling of my back/rib area - the closest thing I can find on the internet to describe the rib pain is something called "Tietze's Syndrome" but I have exhausted all the treatment options the NHS website lists! Being cold, stressed/tense or run down seems to aggravate the problem; this is why I haven't been 100% pain free, due to being quite stressed the past 6 months.

Any tips/ideas/suggestions for pain relief would be greatly appreciated/welcomed...I am willing to try more or less anything!!

Former Member

If you can stand it, have you looked into acupuncture? Even as a quick fix, accupressure- there's a pain point in the crook of your thumb and first finger that if you press into should alleviate pain.

Former Member

I hadn't considered accupuncture...I'll look into it - thank you

I'll also try the pressure point thing in my hand...I am up for trying anything!!

Former Member

Have you tried osteopathy? I had a series of sporting injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments when I was a teenager, physio didn't do anything to help but osteopathy made so much difference, although the first few hours after meant I couldn't walk. Despite that, it made so much difference, they couldn't fix the problems; some of the injuries still flare up now, but they reduced the pain which was what I needed at the time.

Former Member

Nope...that also sounds like something I need to try! I know that despite how much I tell myself otherwise, mine will never fully heal and I guess I need to learn to accept that...but anything thats going to take away the pain is a bonus!! Thank you

Former Member

dear friend. the best thing you can do now is channel a specialist. and get proper treatments for your tore muscles. and you maybe you should talk to a Psychiatric before you take too much sleeping tabs, generic levitra and other medication.