Where is muscle problem originating and what kind of dr to see?

April 27, 2015 7:54 AM

i need someone who knows about bodies and backs and muscles to explain this to me. I have some sort of problem along the right side of my back/body that i have had for many many years. My scapula area gets very tight at times (especially when stressed) and painful as does my hip flexor, my hamstring, calf and even pereoneal tendon. It's clear that something in the chain is tightening up first and then pulling on the rest, causing them strain.

All my muscles injuries ever have been on the right side- car accident in teens tore ligaments on right side of shoulder, broken leg in 2 places on the right side in my 20s when i slipped and fell, pulled hip flexor on right side when i fell through a ceiling in my 30s, and had peroneal tendonitis on the right side after a half marathon in my late 30s. Always always my right side getting injured as if my left side is stronger somehow (i am left handed?). The problem is I can't figure out whether it's my tight calf pulling on my hip which pulls on my back or the other way around. How do I identify the actual "first cause" in this chain? Also when i run, i get soreness and sometimes pain in a chain like manner - my hip flexor, my calf, and my pereoneal tendon all hurt. As a right now example of the interconnectedness- right now my right scapula/shoulder area is really hurting. massaging the shoulder helps a little but what REALLY helps is for me to put firm pressure on my lower back right side above my ribs. It completely removes the pain in the shoulder, as if my shoulder pain is from my lower back pulling on it but my lower back isn't hurting at all. Any ideas where the problem might actually be originating or what the right kind of dr is to help me figure it out?

posted by TestamentToGrace to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

Sounds like a job for a good physical therapist. There are plenty of just ok ones out there, so I'd take some time finding a recommendation.
posted by deludingmyself at 7:59 AM on April 27, 2015 [2 favorites]

2nd'ing the suggestion to see a PT. Don't be afraid to shop around and get a couple opinions. If your healthcare options permit I'd also see about getting a referal to see a physiatrist.
posted by mce at 9:49 AM on April 27, 2015

Physical therapist, massage therapist, and a personal trainer with a corrective exercise specialty. My wife does the latter of those and as soon as a doctor clears a patient to be able to train with her, she works to train people how to fix their mobility and pain issues as well as recommend them an appropriate massage (deep tissue, sport, etc).

If someone doesn't mention rolling with a foam roller and a ball, I would be surprised.
posted by Nanukthedog at 9:54 AM on April 27, 2015

Another vote in favor of seeing a physical therapist. I started going to one last March (6 weeks of twice weekly 30 minute sessions after a 1 hour initial session) for a shoulder issue that I had no idea how to address. It was wonderful, and I had expert help on how to retrain my body to retain resting posture that keeps me from ending up in the same boat again.

The process for me involved an appointment with my general physician first, asking about physical therapy, then having a recommendation written to see a physical therapist. We found one in my insurance network together, and all I paid was a $30 copay each visit.

Good luck!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 10:00 AM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]

The answer to the "which kind of doctor to see" question is almost always "your primary care doctor/general practitioner". Primary care doctors will refer you to physical therapists or others if needed, but seeing a primary care doctor first helps to ensure that you aren't guessing what the source of the problem is and jumping the gun (for example, seeing an orthopedist when a physical therapist would have been a better choice, or going to a PM&R doctor for something that's more likely neurologic).
posted by treehorn+bunny at 12:44 PM on April 27, 2015

I have some sort of problem along the right side of my back/body that i have had for many many years. My scapula area gets very tight at times (especially when stressed) and painful as does my hip flexor, my hamstring, calf and even pereoneal tendon. It's clear that something in the chain is tightening up first and then pulling on the rest, causing them strain.

All my muscles injuries ever have been on the right side- car accident in teens tore ligaments on right side of shoulder, broken leg in 2 places on the right side in my 20s when i slipped and fell, pulled hip flexor on right side when i fell through a ceiling in my 30s, and had peroneal tendonitis on the right side after a half marathon in my late 30s. Always always my right side getting injured as if my left side is stronger somehow (i am left handed?).

I think treehorn+bunny is right to suggest staying uncommitted as to what kind of specialty care you might seek out.

All the injuries and problems you describe could be more readily explained if you've had chronic muscle stiffness (hypertonia) on your right side throughout your life, because stiff muscles drastically raise the probability of associated bone, joint, and connective tissue injuries -- but lifelong muscle stiffness along one side is the classic description of hemiplegic hypertonia secondary to cerebral palsy.

And people with CP are about five times as likely to be left handed as the general population (~50% as opposed to ~10%).
posted by jamjam at 2:04 PM on April 27, 2015