About 3 months ago I strained my right levator scapulae muscle. I’m not sure how. It could’ve just been a postural thing (driving, sitting at the computer). Anyway, the tightness eventually led to what was diagnosed as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome where I started having numbness and pain in my arm and hand.
I went to a chiropractor and did quite a bit of massage which resolved the thoracic outlet syndrome part, and then did pt for the last 6 weeks. My neck/shoulder strength was good to start with for maintaining posture. The assisted stretching seemed to help the most, but I feel like I’ve plateaued with the pt treatment and still have pain when holding my head certain ways. I’m supposed to continue with pt for another couple weeks, but I don’t think it will really help anymore at this point. The muscle still feels tight like it needs a good stretch, so I’m wondering what else I can do to try and get rid of it. Anything else out there aside from manual stretching for this? I’ve considered acupuncture. My gp referred me to pt and I did that, so I’m not sure what else to do. Thoughts?
Pain level is like a 0 or 1, unless I’m stretching it. Then probably a 3 or a 4. Most pain is along the edge of my shoulder blade where I feel like the muscle is anchored.
You may (likely) have a herniated cervical disk and should see a doctor. Stretching and exercise might help a little bit but it sounds to me a lot like you have a disk in your neck pressing on the nerve roots. A lot of people with this get pain in their scapula, trapezius and deltoid. It can happen without any memorable inciting incident. The numbness and pain in your hand are classic symptoms of a cervical disk, not thoracic outlet syndrome. If it is progressing you may need more aggressive therapy (not necessarily surgery).
I am glad that people “like” chiropractors, but this is one of those situations where you need to go see someone with MD after their name. Maybe your GP has considered this but if I were you, I would be asking about him/her whether they have considered a herniated disk.
Thanks. The gp didn’t do an x-ray, but the chiropractor did and didn’t notice that. I’ll definitely take your advice though and go back to the md to follow up.
I only have symptoms in certain positions now. Would that be consistent with a herniated disk? Or would it be constant pain?
I’m no doctor, but +1 on the pec minor being involved to some degree. Stretching and massage can really help loosen the front and take pressure off the shoulder area.
I have had similar issues off and on for about 6 years (and I don’t have a herniated disc). Some years, it is hard to ride my bike for 5 minutes without pain, other years, I just have to limit time in the aero bars and make sure I am using my core when I do use them and everything is fine. And yes, I have had my bike fit done by a competent bike fitter.
Postural issues from activities like hunching over a computer for hours really don’t help. I also recommend checking out your swim mechanics. I can aggravate things in the pool if I’m using poor form, and a session or two with a swim coach might find things that are making your condition worse/slow to heal.
Curious what the rest of the ST community has to say…besides the obvious HTFU.
Thanks. The gp didn’t do an x-ray, but the chiropractor did and didn’t notice that. I’ll definitely take your advice though and go back to the md to follow up.
I only have symptoms in certain positions now. Would that be consistent with a herniated disk? Or would it be constant pain?
Would not be seen on an X ray. I would argue that there was no indication for an X ray. In fact I would argue that the chiropractor did an X ray because he has an X ray machine. Ask him what he expected to get using an X ray as a diagnostic modality for these symptoms. The answer you will never get, but the right one, is money from your insurance agency. Sorry. No utility for X ray here. MRI is the imaging modality for disk disease or soft tissue diagnostics. I am sure if your chiropractor had one, you would have gotten the MRI…
I don’t know that you have a disk but I am suspicious. Position changes can definitely worsen or alleviate symptoms.
