Dealing with muscle strain induced sleep problems

My back gets tense when I have symptoms, and this results in huge muscle knots and potentially strains in my back (usually the upper back) that make it very difficult to sleep.

I'm pretty sure that these strains actually are a structural issue that arises from the non-structural tension, and once this happens, I think I really do need to treat it physically rather than mentally. I'm curious if anyone else gets problems like this?

In particular, these things make it hard for me to sleep. I can only get a few hours at a time because of the pain of muscle knots/strains, and it makes it very hard to sleep. If anyone has advice for getting better rest during this I'd appreciate it.

 

what’s helped me tremendously in resting better and even falling asleep is meditation. I specifically use the Headspace app and there is a section on sleep that does wonders for me. Maybe it would help you.

 

Muscle spasms, knots, cramps are most likely TMS. I had a severe form of it, dystonia, when muscles would not release at all. I completely healed by using TMS approach.

 

Your symptoms are not uncommon in TMS/the mind-body connection. I’m not a healthcare professional and cannot diagnose anyone, but I can tell you that people have eliminated such symptoms through mind-body work. What makes you so sure it’s structural?

 

So I guess I don't know. To me it feels like the initial tension is caused from TMS, and that tension passes a threshold where now the physical muscle is injured and regardless of what I do, it just needs a few days to heal up. I'm not sure that is correct, but it feels that way.

 

Okay, @Stiffbreeze, are you ready yet to maybe laugh at yourself a bit? Because I really have to tell you that this is pretty laughably weak!

And I hope it goes without saying: been there, done that

 

Hahaha

You may be right. It's...really hard to give up the belief though. I assume this just requires me to do the things that I don't think I should do if I'm injured, and see that my back can handle it no problem, and then do that repeatedly as I gain confidence.

 

Unless you have a GOOD reason to think you have an injury, that's right - this is what you've got to do. Our bodies were designed to heal, after all.

 

@JanAtheCPA woohoo! Despite my back feeling "injured", I forced myself to go for a run yesterday for the first time in far too long. Handled it like a champ, and the back hurts less today than yesterday. Thanks for the push.

 

Congratulations! Hiking in the mountains is how I healed my back pain, after being told that I should avoid putting any pressure on my hip. I took up running 5 years ago, it is even a better medicine for back pain than hiking!

 

TG read your book. Funny I googled dystonia cure and said there isn’t one. So I’m glad you got the cute which brings me to my issue which is My back has been in 24/7 mild contraction in am through to searing pain when working as if it were about to snap. Feet burning 24/7 now. All work ups neg. I feel there is no cure. But reading your book I think it has to be TMS. Nothing would last that long. Last week was stripping wallpaper n next day felt groin pain still have it. Again I think is it or is it TMS. I hate docs now n sill not go unless my arm is falling off. Just wondered your thoughts I believe all are TMS following severe life stressors constant over last two years. Yes or no ?

 

Jimmy, since you read my book, you know that I had been in the same agony, searching for hope and feeling that there was no cure. I know now that cure, if you define it as a magic pill that works overnight, does not exist. But what exists is healing. It is different from cure, because it comes from within, and because it comes from within, it is more powerful.

Judging by your symptoms and how they appear randomly in your body, it is TMS. Without digging deeper, I can't tell whether your symptoms fit the Budapest Protocol for CRPS, no would I dare to claim that I can diagnose you - I am not a doctor. But the combination of neuropathic pain and dystonia may as well indicate just that. CRPS is probably one of the most complex and difficult categories of chronic pain, but there is hope. I cannot predict whether you can heal on your own without help from TMS practitioners or you would need help, but it is important for you to know that without looking inwards and working through their own emotional issues and stresses you have experienced, nobody can beat a prolong severe chronic pain.

Not all the doctors are the same. Dr. Schubiner, frequently mentioned on this forum, is a TMS doctor who works with CRPS patients, and the one I would certainly recommend, although I was never his patient. There is Dr. Gietzen, also listed on the TMS Wiki who I actually saw as a patient and who I can recommend in that capacity.

Finally, this is what I firmly believe: dystonia is caused by stress and overload of the nervous system. It was much harder for me to beat dystonia than the pain itself. My pain was down to very tolerable levels within 8-10 months, but it took me another year to get rid of dystonia. Be patient, don't be afraid to deal with your emotions, as hard as it is - and you have a chance!

 

Thanks for your views. Great book.

Re docs it was General Practitioners not TMS docs they are exceptions! Actually exceptional given all the resistance they get from peers.

I love the fact that you have done something that they say can’t be done. In fact you read so many success stories about people doing that here it’s what keeps me going.

I truly believe that my aches and pain are all TMS brought on by chronic stress. It’s good to hear your opinion. I’m doing all the usual journo meditating etc but refusing to go on pres meds as they make me tired. I think it’s that battle without meds that’s taking it’s toll.

it’s weird how most people understand stress gives you headache but when it comes to chronic back pain foot neuropathy it’s more difficult to accept that it’s not stress.

Anyway thanks for replying I had way to many stressors on last year which have now subsided so working full time on recovery.

 

Yes, it had puzzled me all along. It is totally illogical.

As for the meds, as long as you don't get on opioids, taking painkillers every once in a while may be better than putting yourself through misery. Best of luck to you, and feel free to ask questions!

 

It's amazing how TMS can feel like an injury. A bad one. And yet not be. It makes no sense for pain to appear and disappear (ie. especially at night when the body is more relaxed) if it's an injury. And my issues have often been worse at night. I read from a TMS coach that, regarding back pain, unless you just fell off a building (or the equivalent in acute blunt trauma), your spine is strong and will heal.

 

Yes. Now check out CRPS, with pain levels worse than of childbirth, with swelling, skin and bone changes, muscle wasting, permanent muscle spasms etc. - all TMS. We have people on the forum who had clinically confirmed bone changes from CRPS and who healed completely.