Not Sure How to Word This

I wonder if pilates or yoga might help - both really focus on breathing and muscle (strengthing, lengthing and stretching) - I know after I've been doing either for a little while my body starts to feel back to "normal". After I had my son I had bad knots in my neck - exercising really helped them go away - and massages too!!

It sounds like stress. If I get really stressed out -- tense muscles like the golf ball sizes knots you described, I get asthma attacks. Some people have asthma related problems that are triggered by stress. Try to relax (easier said than done). Take a hot bath or shower - long enough so that you feel the difference, have someone rub your tense spots, and/or exercise as much as you can. Be aware of when you feel the tension, and then work it out (which ever method works best for you). Good luck and be aware of you stress triggers.

Don't know just how you feel about going to a chiropractor but I really would suggest it. I too tried physician therapy but ended getting relief from a chiro. Never really felt comfortable with going to one but I needed some kind of relief and the drugs where no longer helping me. I would say that it is the drugs giving you side effects instead of the muscle issues.
Best Regards,
C.

I have sinus problems which often lead to a sore neck. Stress and lack of sleep also make my neck and back tense up and hurt. What helps me is heat packs and chiropractic adjustments. A few times I have taken a muscle relaxant at night to break the cycle and get a good night's sleep. Both physical therapists and chiropractors sometimes use electrical stimulation which helps ease the pain as well (I used it during labor and it was such a big help). If you have determined it is definitely tight muscles massage can help too (sometimes it is offered at a place that does PT). The other thing that occurs to me is are the "knots" really swollen lymph nodes (there are several in the neck)? Your doctor should be able to tell by examining you.

Could be:
Stress
Fibromyalgia
Lyme's Disease
Pinched Nerve

See a Chiro with a P/T on staff and an Infectious Disease doc to run blood work.

K.,
I think you need to go see a doctor. Someone that can refer you to the right specialist. You might need to see a neurologist, an orthopedic or just a plain therapist will do it. But you need a doctor to see you specially if you are having "like waves of wanting to pass out". You don't know if it could be something more serious. Please don't speculate in what it could be! and go see your doctor.
Blessings

With tense muscles and sprained ligaments, I've found that the best medical professional is a chiropractor. A good one will be able to recommend some natural supplements if they would be applicable to helping as well.

Hope you find relief!!!

I am recovering from a neck and back injury, I have a lot of knots and impinged nerves and get dizzy spells. Definately let your MD know about your symptoms they could be related. Have you had an MRI? If you have not, I think that you should talk to your MD about getting one.

I disagree with using a chriopractor. In my opinion, a good physical therapist will help you regain better health. chiropractor will adjust your spine and require you to return several times a week for a very long time (I tried it and wasted alot of time and money) A physical therapist will help the muscle recover and help you by taking the pressure off the nerve caused by the muscle spasms that you are having. A physical therapist will also teach you how to maintain the health of your back and neck. Once you injure those muscles you need to know how to keep them healthy for the rest of your life.

Another option is Trigger point injections (the MD will inject a very fine needle into the muscle spasm to help release it. Sometimes the needles contains an anesthetic such as lidocaine and sometimes the needle is dry) Google the procedure to learn more.

Neuromuscle stimulation is something similiar to TENS it exercises the muscle and can be done at home with a home unit provided by prescription.

Active On muscle rub is a good product for tempory relief of muscle pain and spasm.

If your odd feeling like passing out is related to your back and neck injury, treatment will help.

The muscle spasm could be blocking blood flow when you are in certain position or it could be putting pressure on a nerve. It is important that you let the MD know when and in what position you are in when the symptoms occur.

Please make sure your MD is aware, there is always the possibility that this is not related to your neck and back injury. Other conditions such as anemia and diabetes can cause your symptoms.

Good Luck, Hope you feel better

have your dr run the blood test for Fibromylagia...

hope you feel better soon.