So, some of you know that I’ve been struggling with issues with my shoulder-back area. It’s a chronic sitting thing. The disease of our age, I suppose. Who hasn’t had trouble of this kind, I ask you? First-world problems.

I must get better! I will be Iron Gardener again!

Nevertheless, imagine a cramp in your calf (is that what they call a charley-horse? I’ve never known for sure.) but instead of your calf, it’s under your shoulder-blade somewhere, deep inside. And it doesn’t stop. A knife in the back would be a kindness but where’s an enemy when you need one?

After one bad episode in fall that abated – more or less – with prescription meds and time, I got another one about a month ago. What freaked me out this time was that exercise, ie: yoga MADE IT WORSE! Went to my clinic again, with very low expectations, I might add.

But to my surprise, the doctor I got this time not only took me seriously but sent me for a battery of tests to rule out, among other things, cardiac problems. (Post-menopausal woman with a panicky look in her eye and radiating back/chest pain… hm.) Then, he sent me for something called Intra-Muscular Stimulation, aka Dry Needle Therapy.

That knife in the back I was looking for?

Found it.

Gotta go. Limiting the time I spend at my desk is part of my therapy. Come back soon, I’ll tell you more then. In the meantime, is there a therapy that’s worked for you to counter chronic back pain? Please, share!