How to loosen a muscle as "hard as a rock"?

[daveinaustin]

For around 10 years, I've had a muscle that feels as hard as a rock. In fact, one RMT thought it was bone. I think it's either the lower Iliocostalis lumborum or quadratus lumborum.

I've had countless massage therapies, but it has never been able to be worked out. Reduced at times, but always there.

As I've been recovering from my surgery, it seems to have become larger, more sensitive, and causes significant lower back pain, especially down through my hip.

Has anybody had a similar experience? Since massages have never fully worked it out, are there other options?

Thanks,

-Dave

[Cirobi]

Have you tried warm/heat compresses at all in combination with massage? To my recollection I've never had a muscle tension quite like you've described, but I always have a certain level of tension in my shoulders that sometimes needs a combination of heat and massage. I usually get the heat portion from a nice hot shower followed by asking my boyfriend to give me a back rub. It usually works for some temporary relief.

Have you spoken with any of your docs about that muscle? Maybe there's something they can do to release tension. Oh and have you ever tried a muscle relaxer medication to see if that has any effect on it?

~Sara

[Toebin]

I have one muscle under my Rt shoulder blade that is like that and never relaxes. PT, massage, and trigger point injections eases it up some, but it never goes away, and it always tenses back up.

I just keep working on it always with my exercises. It's the one muscle that will cause me pain if I slack off on reminding it who the boss is...

[daveinaustin]

I've tried anything that I could think of: muscle relaxants, heat/cold, physical therapy, massage therapy, and trigger point therapy.

Various techniques lessen the severity of the tightness at times, however it has never fully loosened up.

I mentioned it to my doctor after each procedure; however, he didn't seem too concerned about it.

Similar to Toebin, if I do my daily exerices, it seems to stay in check. However, as I haven't been able to do my stretches while recovering from fusion, the muscle is really starting to bother my back!

-Dave

[Terry]

I had muscle under my left shoulder blade that was constantly sore to the touch and amazingly tight. I did massage, trigger point injections, exercise, etc. for years to no avail.

When I had my two cervical ADR's the pain is gone and the muscle is like normal now. I think it was my cervical problems that was causing the tightness in my shoulders and back.

I'm not suggesting surgery to you but merely stating what finally cured mine. I was always in pain for years. It's frustrating for sure.

Terry Newton

[daveinaustin]

Terry,

Do you recall if your trigger point injections were saline, lidocaine/Xcaine, or steroidal?

Maybe the pain will subside after my fusion heals. My L4-S1 discs were faulty for over a decade. The muscle was probably compensating for it.

-Dave

[Terry]

Dave:

The trigger point injections were lidocaine/Xcaine. They hurt like hell going in to a muscle that is all knotted up but worked wonders. They were such temporary fixes though until the surgery. Damn I feel good today. I just rode 32 miles and feel wonderful. It's like I smoked a bowl of pot or something.

Actually, I've been sober for almost thirty years. Natural endorphin highs are wonderful and just as fulfilling.

I agree with your assessment of the situation. You probably have not healed yet and are compensating with your muscles which pulls them in every direction. I remember that feeling well. YUK.

Terry Newton

[daveinaustin]

Terry,

Thanks for the advice, and keep up the biking!

-Dave

[ZorroSF]

this is common after surgey. Pre-op your body was compensating. Reads like you had a disc protrusion and it sounds like you were overusing the muscles you described.

In fact I wonder if adult onset scoliosis was setting in cause a lockup like that could twist the spine ever so slightly.

Post-op your muscles are compensating even more until your spine heals. I'm having a similiar issue and I've been told by one spine doctor that an injected muscle relaxant is in store. I've hear these hurt like a mother.

I'd first start using the jacuzzi before you go to a deep tissue massage. Also make sure your therapist knows soft tissue massage. If a large muscle like that is locked up for a long period of time then it has also affected your soft tissue and can cause tissue scarring. A real bitch to rub out if possible at all.

try pilates. It's a lot about stretching and working intrinsic muscles. If none of that helps then get that injection. It might help.

[daveinaustin]

Thanks for the advice. I had childhood scoliosis, which was worked through. However, some of the curvature remained as an adult.

I'll try your suggestions once I'm allowed to enter P.T. and to have deep tissues.

-Dave