Question
Hello,

Here are the basic stats:
Patient is in early 50s, a dancer and choreographer, who was in good physical shape - very strong.
Pain began a year and a half ago.  Originated during a yoga stretch.  
Pain is located in the mid-back, NOT lower back.  Pain wraps around from left of spine to left side.  It does not shoot down the legs like sciatica.
Pain varies from irritating to excruciating.
Pain is constant and debilitating - the patient cannot sit up for more than 10 or 15 minutes.  Therefore she can't drive, attend events, sit for meals, etc.  She has to lie down constantly.  She can't continue her work as a dancer/choreographer.  She can't attend performances or functions, she can't work on the computer for more than a few minutes at a time.  She can't lift heavy objects, therefore can't do grocery shopping or housework.  Her life is completely on hold.  
Lying down and standing do not necessarily provide relief, but sitting up makes the pain worsen.  
MRI revealed a slipped disk, but it was not considered severe, and was not deemed to be the source of the pain.
EMG revealed no neurological source of the pain in the lower back.  Did reveal some abnormalities in the neck and arm, but doctor said there was no connection to the site of the pain.
4 years ago patient acquired frozen shoulder on the left side.  It is possible that the frozen shoulder (now almost entirely resolved) is contibuting to recurrent back tear.  But sll of the following treatments have been tried, to no avail: physical therapy, pool therapy, epidural injection, Lyrica, bedrest, stretching & strengthening exercises, steroid injection, muscle relaxants, hot & cold packs, massage, Alexander Technique Therapy, relaxation....some provided momentary relief, but pain has not resolved, and recurs constantly.  

It seems to make sense that the back mucles are weak, but any strengthening exercises can cause severe pain, so we cannot figure out how to resolve this.  We are looking for someone who can help us synthesize all of this information and figure out what is wrong and how it can be resolved.  No doctors have been able to diagnose the source of the pain, or suggest a resolution of it.  She cannot continue to be in such pain, and to be so completely incapacitated as a parent, as an athlete, and as a human being.

PLEASE, can you suggest an expert or team of experts who could help us?  

Answer
Dear Carrie,

If you see a Hanna somatic educator, a breathing session (which involves free rib movement) would probably be called for before a Trauma Reflex lesson.  These terms will make sense to the practitioner.  For a list of practitioners, see somatics.com and click the word, PRACTITIONERS, on the blue navigation bar at top.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold