I used to present for home CEU Connection and sometimes course info comes to my inbox. From the course description – it sounds like they had a patient like me in mind to train therapists to target the knot or “trigger point” that has been causing pain for the past 4 years.
This condition is also called nerve encapsulation and notalgia-paraesthetica.
This condition was originally caused from an injury that resulted in restricted shoulder mobility . I was very lucky to have found a myofascial Release Therapist who cured me in only 3 sessions. But this was over 20 years ago when I was in top physical condition and that therapist has moved away. Then the pandemic came, stress levels exploded and I couldn’t swim at the local YMCA.
The Healing Journey
This is a journey nobody asks for but I want to be strong, functional and pain free- I was so weak that I had my family carry groceries and anything heavy to avoid worsening the pain. As soon as the Covid vaccine changed the world- I saw a variety of health practitioners:
- First a physiatrist who I was told also performed dry needling. After 2 sessions, there was no change. He recommended a massage therapist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI6OOxBUJUU
- The massage therapist was great but after 3 sessions, I realized that the benefits were short lasting and not curative.
- Over six months the chiropractor helped decrease pain and the knot was smaller. He thought that the benefits had plateaued. I agreed.
- The acupuncturist had a 2 month waiting list and when I finally started – I did enjoy the heated table, sun lamp and her sweet disposition. But I didn’t notice any changes due to the needles after 3 months.
- I moved to a new area and the new primary physician took an x-ray and said that I had spinal stenosis and should have physical therapy. The therapist seemed really good even though he juggled treated 2-3 patients at the same time. I didn’t like his focus on increasing repetitions and weights at his speed instead of at my speed. I have the entire rest of my life to gradually get stronger regardless of what insurance or the PT have to say. However, I learned the exercises and do them regularly. I can lift a watermelon onto a cart and into the car- which is a huge success to me… I quit PT after 6 months to focus on swimming, cycling, walking and a Zumba class at the Senior Center.
- I decided to try another Myofascial Release Therapist who sounded fantastic and she was! But I had no plans to pay $170/hour for more than a few sessions. Medicare paid for the chiropractor and physical therapist- which is a huge plus….
The MFR therapist said that I needed to address the tight fascia before engaging in resistive strengthening with weights and bands. This made sense and I learned a lot about movement and stretching from her that I now utilize at home. I still have mild aches and pains and I’m not sure if its due to being 70 years old, the stress of being mom to a mentally ill adult, or some condition like fibromyalgia which is also stress related. Whatever it is, I’m working hard to have a healthy immune system, strong body and pain-free life.
I applaud anyone taking this course (I can’t vouch for the quality) because these therapists can help people like me. Now, let’s get Medicare to pay for the treatments!
A few posts about my healing journey:
and when you can no longer don a bra…