Question
For several yrs now I've been c/o pain in my scapula. The pain would sometimes radiate down my arm into funny bone or baby finger. Also sometimes the pain would radiate down my butt cheek and thigh. I'm restricted on turning more on the bad side than the other. Sometimes it feels as if an elastic band is about to snap if i turn too far or too quick. Also i would find the upper notches of my spine are very sensitive to touch and sore if pressed. Previous h/o fractured ribs and fractured femur on opposite side of current pain. Been for bone scan, acupuncture, physio etc. The only relief i get is thru manipulation and massage of the upper back. I take bad spasms about twice yearly from over exhursion which makes me feel paralysed and bedridden. what should i do. i'm 30 yr old female.

Answer
Hi, Andrea,

It sounds like you are experiencing two different patterns of reflexive muscular contraction, both the result of your injuries.  Such reflexive contractions can persist indefinitely unless you recapture control of those muscles, which would be done by means of a training program like somatic education.

You can't get a long-term change of muscle tension by massage or manipulation; your brain is ultimately in control and restores the tension pattern into which you have become conditioned.

May I suggest you read the articles on Completing Your Recovery from An Injury and on pain management, at somatics.com/page4.htm.  They answer your questions and give you a course of action.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold