The overall posture of every person I have treated for chronic pain can be found in the fair or poor columns in the chart to the left. I have very rarely had people on my table whose posture was described in the "good" column. They rarely seem to suffer chronic pain. I think that it is "interesting" that people from the "fair" and "poor" columns also frequently complain of chronic fatigue. Is there a link? Here is my paradigm for both chronic fatigue and chronic pain / fibromyalgia:When your posture is reflected in the "good" column, opposing muscles are in balance. These people do not have chronic pain or chronic fatigue in my experience. None of their muscles are working "extra". The operative here is "working". A muscle is working if it is contracting. When it is contracting, it is using energy. If it is using energy, it is producing metabolic by-products (lactic acid among others). When your posture is reflected in the fair or poor columns, several muscles are "working" (contracting) nearly 24/7. They are using glycogen (sugar) & oxygen and producing metabolic by-products. Even though you are not actively running, lifting weights, sitting at your computer, pounding nails or doing anything else you think of as work, your body is using unusual amounts of energy. YOUR MUSCLES are "working".
Try holding a tooth brush out at arms length. In less than a minute your arm muscles will fatigue and your arm will start hurting. Now imagine holding a 20 pound bowling ball 1 inch out from the side of your body. How long before your arm starts hurting? Your head is like that bowling ball. Look at the top picture in the middle column. Look familiar? Is it any wonder that those neck and shoulder muscles are hurting? Look at any of the other pictures in the fair or poor columns. In each case, muscles are working extra hard, using extra energy, holding up extra weight. No wonder they are tired and in pain.
Years ago, I had a supervisor that stated in a staff meeting, "don't complain about a problem, unless you can bring a solution to the table". Well, I am pretty sure that I have a solution that works in 90 to 95 percent of the cases.
Part of the solution is to do specific exercises designed to re-achieve balance between opposing muscles. You may need to work with a knowledgeable personal trainer for a few weeks. I am not talking about the "gung ho" trainer that demands you "go for the burn". The no pain, no gain mentality is great (maybe) if you are an 18 year old foot ball player. I am talking about the trainer that truly understands fitness. Long supple, cat like muscles are much healthier than bunched up, short, tight, professional body builders muscles. I know the trainer is expensive. How much are you currently paying in medical bills treating your chronic condition?
Another part of the solution can be regular massage. There are generally two types of massage practitioners. Those focused on "spa" or relaxation massage, and those focused on "medical" or therapeutic massage. Yes, I agree that almost all massage can be therapeutic and giving someone an hour of relaxation is beneficial, but... I suggest getting massage from someone focused on therapy who has pursued the knowledge necessary for real medical massage. In general, spa or relaxation massage feels really good. That's because rubbing on any muscle for more than 10 or 15 seconds causes the body to produce an endorphin response. Endorphins are the bodies natural pain killers. It doesn't take very long for them to start to wear off.
The Therapeutic or Medical massage practitioner uses several techniques that actually cause a change in muscle length. PNF (proprioceptive facilitated) stretching, reciprocal inhibition, strain -counter strain, manual ligament therapy and others. The effects last much longer, because it is more than a temporary shot of endorphins. The stress on the short, tight muscle is lessened, just like de-tuning a guitar string. Short, tight muscles learn that it is safe to be a little softer and longer.
When I have a client who complains of tension or stress at the back of the neck and upper shoulders, I work on their pectoralis (chest) and SCM (anterior neck) muscles. Once the chest and anterior neck loosen up, the tension leaves the upper traps and back of the neck. It is just like taking the string off of a hunters bow. The big curve (rounded shoulders) relaxes and the pain and tension are gone.
Stay tuned for the most important part aspect of "curing" chronic pain / fatigue
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