Severe muscle tension

sephir0th

Hi all, I've been lifting regularly for the past 10 years or so. Around year 3 I started to notice a slight tightness in my back which could be resolved through some stretching.

The condition has gotten worse and worse. I used to be able work through the pain and discomfort but it's reached the point where I can't sit down and relax with it. Between every set I literally need to lean into a bar for a minute just for enough relief to perform the next set.

Pain is concentrated around the neck, traps and lats but it's now spread to my triceps and lower back. I've gone through 3 deep tissue massage therapists - these provided temporary relief for me - but no real solution.
Sometimes I'll just lie on a golf ball to relieve the tightness.

Anyway, some guy in my gym mentioned he had the same issue and recommended Electrical Muscle Stimulation from an osteopath, which is about 15mins of stimulation from electric pulses through pads placed around the body.

Has anyone had a similar issue and resolved or relieved it?
Any treatment or supplement recommendations?
Recommendations on where to go for the above treatment? (I'm in Sandyford)

Glowing

I've had dry needling done through both a physical therapist and an osteopath, which sounds like a reasonably similar treatment and which worked for some muscular issues I had.

However I'd be inclined to get another opinion from a physio maybe, your issue sounds fairly chronic! You should also try get to the bottom of why the problem is occurring in the first place as it will likely just keep on happening as it has done the past 7 years, even with the treatment!

Barry.Oglesby

Instead of going in for some treatment some dude in a gym told you to have, why not get seen by a qualified physiotherapist who can diagnose the problem? You may have anything from just muscular tension, to nerve impingement, to basically anything else.

Where are you living? I might be able to recommend a physio.

nice_guy80

or a chiropractor.
some people don't believe in them, but I'd always go to one if any issue with back or neck

username123

Glowing wrote: »

You should also try get to the bottom of why the problem is occurring in the first place as it will likely just keep on happening as it has done the past 7 years, even with the treatment!

+1!

There is some underlying reason - could be anything, imbalance, bad technique, bad biomechanics, underlying physical issue etc...

The main thing here is to find out why its going on and try to correct that - while thats being corrected you can do whatever you like to find relief, but until you correct the underlying issue you are always only treating symptoms and not the cause.

It may take time to find the answers - I have tried more than one physio, a physical therapist, orthopediac consultant and a chiropractor for a lower back issue. Finally a physio was walking to the carpark with me after the session and he stood back and took a look at how I walked and bingo - there was my answer. I had spent over 2 years getting my back treated and it was my gait that needed treatment.

Hanley

I'm gonna make a call in the physio -v- chiro thing.

If you get a good one of either they can fix you.

BUT if you get a bad physio they probably won't hurt you even if they don't fix you, whereas with a bad chiro there's a greater risk they'll **** you up!!

Brian?

Right, a lot of this thread is bordering on medical advice or plain out med advice. OP, you need to see a medical professional i.e. A Physio. I'll leave this open for Physio recommendations. But only that, as much as I enjoy the discussion of chiros, god knows I do, we can leave that for other threads

singlesnights

When it comes to easing tension, nothing beats a good, hard wa......















...lk!

sephir0th

Thanks all. I'll go see another physiotherapist and try get a diagnosis. I was reluctant to go to another physio as I know their treatment won't resolve it but hopefully they can point me in the right direction.

username123

You need to research a good physio who deals with the area. Some physios have more experience in certain areas than others.

sea_monkey

have you tried foam rolling once or twice a day? after a few weeks you should see a great improvement. its always worked for any muscle/joint problems that ive had

doctor evil

Can foam rolling be good for lower back pain?

sea_monkey

yes it can be exactly what you need, all depends. lower back pain could be coming from your glutes or your upper back. even your hamstrings. its best to foam roll everything you work out. doesnt take long and the results are well worth it

seeing as OPs pain started on his traps and lats it could help a lot to foam roll the upper back