"trapped nerve" at T-5?

[Reku]

hi!
a woman I have been working on has what feels to her like a "trapped" or "bundled" nerve that FEELS as if it is at the transverse process of T-5. she has had this worked on before, only once, by a long lost massage therapist, in which it was actually completely relieved. It came back with stress, however, and the whole shoulder and upper back seized up around it. we were able to release a great deal of tension all around the spot, but the spot remains.

although she does not do the stretching and other things that might open up her upper back, she's done yoga in the past and says that it helps but has never "fixed" the nerve, which she's had on and off for about 6 years.

the spot in her back that feels like the trapped nerve is a very isolated burning sensation (it's either mild or she has grown to live with it!).

does anyone have any idea what this is or what she or a bodyworker can do?

thank you!!!

 

[JackaLxM]

Honestly, I'd send her to a chiropractor. They are trained to do the adjustment of the spine that would allow the nerve to get free of the joint. It's quick, and the relief would be so incredible.

 

[Angel]

oh, that's a simple answer! i think i assumed she had already tried chiro, but i will check. thank you!

 

[Hoadly]

Hi, I wonder if I could just post this again; I suggested a chiro to the client and she went for a while, but decided it wouldn't do any good without massage and yoga as well. That's great, she added both--but stopped the chiro for reasons that are unclear to me (financial, I think, and I think the massage felt more immediately relaxing to her). But there's no improvement. She's waiting to see this superduper PT she's heard about who has a 50 person waiting list. She's had someone fix this once before over six visits--that person's since moved. I've tried to refer her elsewhere in the meantime but she seems to be sick of experimenting, so she's coming to me but without seeing improvement at that exact point. All the muscles around it are doing well, but the area itself is still very annoying and there's skin irritation above it that's not going away. I know I can't fix everything , but does anyone have any further suggestions? :roll: :?

 

[runescape person]

Work on the scalenes, particular middle and posterior, about 2/3 of the way down towards the lower attachments. If you press in just right, it will light up that exact area. It feels like a nervy, stuck pain, burning. It's aggravated with motion and stress. Very common, very uncomfortable, and nearly impossible to get rid of until you thoroughly address the anterolateral neck muscles.

You will also need to open the chest, particularly pectoralis minor/major, coracobrachialis, subscapularis and don't forget subclavius. Once that is done, if the issue is still not resolved, put her on her side, and leverage up under the medial border of the scapula, stripping the ends of the muscles that slide under the scapula to find any remaining trigger points or adhesions.

Finally, you and she should both troubleshoot all of her favorite activities and places to sit or hang out to see if you can figure out what is bringing this on.

 

[seven]

Oh Thank You so much, Breathe. Here i go! ....

 

[party101]

All of what Breathe has suggested, plus get her to try working with a
Ma Roller or Nola Rola in that T5 region, as well as above and below. She may do some self adjusting. Preceed or follow this up with local releases/stretching of the thoracic spine and ribs, as well as thoracic extension stretching and self stretching, such as over a bolster.

 

[Qassem]

Walt: new one on me. What is a ma roller or nola rola? Is that like a foam roller? Link maybe?

 

[FAISALWAD]

Both are devices for self treatment. The Ma Roller is now called the Back Roller. The first link is a shameless link to my site, where the Back roller is listed. The second one is to the Nola Rola website. Very similar function, one much cheaper than the other.

http://www.myofascialpainrelief.com/tools.html

http://www.nolarola.com

After I wrote the above post this morning, I had a patient with a very similar condition as sanantonio decribed. I used the Thoracic Pivot under his thoracic spine while I did some extended cervical traction. It really helped to open up the cervical and thoracic/ thoracic rib regions. Using the Thoracic Pivot, or many other similar purchased or home made variations, can really be an asset during treatment. He had much less thoracic pain after the session.

 

[go4gin1994]

Walt, I wish we lived closer, I'd be seeing you myself !

In addition to working on the physical level manually,
I'd also consider suggesting she work with her diet.
She may be dealing with being more acid rather than
alkaline and could possibly need to be taking an herbal
anti-inflammatory (Sam-E, or my favorite Zyflammend)
plus a calcium-magnesium, or just magnesium supplement.
(my fav magnesium supplement is a powdered form you just add to warm water & drink up, Magnesium Calm).

At least by adding those supplements it may help to release the muscles which could be causing the thoracic
problem in the first place. Also, on another note, if she's closed down emotionally from past or current relationships, or a loss of a loved one, that would affect the physical condition greatly as we all know. That T5 is directly in line with the heart chakra.

Hope taking this from another perspective is helpful for you & your client !