My neck, my back, my neck and my back

A couple weeks ago, I found myself having a back spasm the likes of none I have ever felt. It was my left erector muscle (those long ones on each side of your spine). While on the phone, I quickly was unable to talk or stand... and found myself crying on the living room floor. Jeff had to basically carry me to the tub, where I soaked myself and took Tylenol PM. The next morning, it had let up. However, I have had pain on that side ever since. I've been to my chiropractor a few times over the last 2 weeks to address the problem.

On Monday of this week, the boys and I were in Publix when it struck again. This time, I did not hit the floor, but the pain knocked the tears right out of me. I couldn't walk, I couldn't breathe, my back was completely locked up. The nice people at Publix helped get me, my kids, and our groceries to the car. I drove to the chiropractor's office, where the staff had to help me out of the car. I was sobbing. I'm not talking simple tears, I mean uncontrollable snotty sobs. I wanted someone to make it stop... and make it stop right then.

My chiropractor did some good, but I wasn't "fixed". He suggested that I see a massage therapist that he knows. I called that day and went on Wednesday. In the meantime, my OB prescribed Lortab when needed and I took half to get me through the night. Biofreeze has been a life saver and so have those heat pads that stick to your back. On Wednesday, I met with the massage therapist and we talked about what has been going on with me. I loved the fact that she was more of a "medical" masseuse than a froo-froo one. She worked my erector muscle and then found the culprit. Right where my shoulder blade stops I had a HUGE knot in my rhomboid muscle. The erector muscle overlaps the rhomboid right there, so it was triggering the spasm lower in my back. She worked on that spot and lo and behold, I felt great. She wasn't able to get it to completely release, but at least I know what the problem is, where it is, and maybe we can maintain this until I give birth.

Labor isn't scary to me compared to the thought of labor with a huge back spasm. Now, I am just tip-toeing around and babying my back to try to stay in good shape before this baby decides to arrive. Today, I can feel it starting to act up... so I am wearing a heat wrap and will soon hit the couch for movie time with the boys.

I will be 38 weeks tomorrow!