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Just
Won’t Stand For It Any More
By
Victoria L. Magown, CMTPT, LMT & George S. Pellegrino, LMT, CMTPT
Holiday shopping this past season was not as
much fun as in previous years. Standing in long lines at the checkout
counter, Megan became more aware of her nagging backache.
It was
not the kind of pain that would drive one to the emergency room, but for
Megan, it was an annoyance that was driving her crazy. This was the
same backache she experienced while standing at the stove cooking for
the holidays; a chore she often looked forward to.
Standing in a line for gift returns, Megan had had enough. Even now her
aching back was interfering with her life. Megan decided she wouldn’t
stand for this any longer.
When
she came to MyoRehab, a review of her history showed no major trauma
that could account for her low back pain. As Megan pointed out, raising
two boys and a large dog had taken its toll on her.
Megan’s first child had physical challenges that required constant
attention. She often held him for hours as she did her housework.
That’s when she first noticed back pain, but didn’t pay it any mind.
Taking Major, her Great Dane, for a walk was challenging as well.
Often, it was more like Major was walking her as he strained against the
leash, further stressing her low back.
With
the addition of a second child, Megan’s low back pain intruded into her
life more frequently. Although she loved to cook for her family and
friends, long hours of standing in the kitchen preparing gourmet meals
had become a chore due to her nagging low back pain.
Months
earlier, x-rays ordered by her doctor showed no signs of spinal
disorder. The source of Megan’s pain had to be soft tissue, the doctor
said.
An
evaluation of Megan’s posture, pain pattern and movement restriction
combined with her history enabled us to pin point the source of her low
back pain, Myofascial Trigger Points.
A
Myofascial Trigger Point is a hypersensitive spot in a muscle that when
stimulated, usually produces pain referred in a predictable pattern away
from the Trigger Point. Trigger Points in the iliopsoas were
responsible for part of her low back pain. (Illustration A)
The
pain pattern for this muscle produced pain up and down Megan’s spine.
As seen in the illustration, the iliopsoas also produces pain in the
front of the thigh. Megan attributed this pain with walking her dog and
never associated it with her low back pain.
After
having her second child, Megan began doing sit-ups everyday to help
restore her figure. Just before the holidays, Megan’s low back pain
increased. When this happened, she sought the advice of a friend who
told her the low back pain was probably due to weak abdominals. Megan
increased the frequency of her sit-up program which in turn increased
her low back pain.
The
additional pain Megan experienced was across her low back. This pain
pattern was being produced by Trigger Points in her abdominal muscles.
(Illustration B) Although strengthening her abdominals was a good idea,
when Myofascial Trigger Points are present, strengthening can increase
pain. Trigger Points must be treated first before strengthening can be
accomplished without pain.
Megan
was successfully treated for Myofascial Trigger Points in her iliopsoas,
abdominals and other muscles contributing to her low back pain. After
two weeks of pain-free home exercise consisting of specific stretches to
restore normal length to the muscles, she was able to resume her
strengthening program.
The
joy of cooking for her family and friends has returned. Although
standing in long lines has never been much fun, Megan says it’s now “a
piece of cake”. Walking her dog, Major, however, is still challenging.
Is there a
nagging pain in your life that you “just won’t stand for anymore”? If
there is, give us a call at MyoRehab
OR click here to set up your thirty minute consultation.
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