Remember, muscle tension is about feeling under threat
Hi fredb, Julie
A good example of this for me was the opening of “Phantom of the Opera” that was shock and awe. I had the worst neck spasm you could imagine when the explosive music started; I was in severe neck pain for many days.
Hi, I am Andy, a 71 year old (or young). I have had years of neck tension as you describe. It began in 1998 and settled in gradually over the years. Around this time coincidently I had overcome lower back pain; perhaps my TMS issues moved locations. Over the twenty years my opinion has swayed back and forth from the physical to psychological. My current thoughts it’s a mixture of both. My location of pain is the Levitor scapulae, a muscle that runs from the three neck vertebrae to the scapula. Levitor scapular means: “lift shoulder blades”.
I had an acute crooked neck and age settling of the joints that have caused arthritis, as per an MRI. This levitor scapulae muscle is pushed out by the misalignment of my neck and I can receive much relief from massaging it with two fingers with soapy water, stretching yoga poses and more recently (two years) weight lifting. Unfortunately I am targeting my pain muscles, or am I exercising? The reader will decide.
In addition to weight lifting I have had two bouts of physical therapy. The first was an outstanding success. I regained full rotation of my neck when reversing a vehicle, my shoulders noticeably dropped and my pain level is now much lower, my crooked neck even looks straighter. I question myself often: Was I actually in tension for 20 years, did my neck sink and become crushed, and have I gained height?
Now retired, I am in the least stressful environment free of work, family and the daily tormenting stress we all put up with. I have done oodles of TMS work since 2011 and understand TMS implicitly. Under these circumstances I continually ask myself what drives my tension today, I still have some early morning pain when awaking. Since muscles are designed to tense and release, could it be my arthritis is the secondary cause for this tightness since when I get moving this pain subsides?
My theory “Mixture of Both physical to psychological” address Julies “Threat” comment as well as my 20 years of personal experiences. It also satisfies both mind and body concerns.
Unfortunately I feel TMS purists would baulk at my deep investigation into the physical and not just accepting blindly that the pain is 100% TMS. I personally think I have ruled out the physical by understanding what is going on, but it has taken twenty years.
Fred this may or may not be of used to you, my only advice is, keep an open mind. Silentflutes may also be interested.
Good luck
