Ever since I was a little Blewitt, I always had a bad back. I remember it going out and my mom taking me to my pediatrician and him having me lie flat on my back with my arms crossed. He would push down and crack it, bringing me relief. That had to be 30 years ago and the problems have plagued me on and off throughout the years since.
The 2 worst times it ever “went out” was back in 2002 and probably around 5 years ago. In 02, I was working at Outback Steakhouse in Valencia, California. I was opening a bag of the delicious Honey Wheat bread to toss in the oven and I both heard and felt it. My legs gave out and I dropped to the floor immediately. My buddy Dustin has to drive me home to my apartment I shared with my then girlfriend...soon to be wife...soon to be ex wife. I couldn’t walk for days.
I remember sleeping on the floor downstairs as I couldn’t go up the stairs. I had to crawl to the bathroom. Not my proudest moment, but within a few days I was able to walk gingerly and a few days after that felt ok to go back to work. That was scary and I was 22 when it happened. I didn’t have it that bad again until about 10-12 years later.
I don’t even remember what I was doing when it went out that other time but I can promise you it was nothing heroic. Probably tying my shoe or something shitty like that. Same thing though. What I do remember was the sound and feeling before collapsing. I recall my wife holding me as I took steps to the chiropractors office. With each step, it took my breath away. Tears just leached from my eyes and I gasped for a proper breath. Doing anything was excruciating and consumed all my efforts and energies.
To this day I still don’t know what the cause was or is when it goes out. It’s gone out dozens of times to various degrees but those 2 medal, taking gold and silver. I have gone to doctors and was never really given a clear answer. I don’t know if it’s disc related...muscle...pinched nerve...spine...your guess it as good as mine.
Well about 2 weeks ago I started feeling a tearing sensation in my back left shoulder blade area. It’s a burning and tearing feeling that isn’t super painful but isn’t a walk in the park either. I’ve been feeling it mainly when I’m picking up my girl Bindi in specific ways.
Well, I’m at a point where I’m trying to take care of myself a bit better now, so I scheduled an appointment yesterday with an Orthopedic Shoulder Specialist. After some X-Rays...he simple told me...
No...what he did say was that he didn’t see anything alarming. He thinks it’s related to neck and spine discomfort which might also be where my back issues are stemming from. So instead of shooting me with steroids or prescribing pills, he’s trying the route of physical therapy first. He wrote the script and soon I’ll be starting my adventure in the wonderful world of rehab. Several days a week for 4 weeks.
He said that plenty of times, issues can work themselves out with PT vs. the alternatives and he likes to try that first. So we will give it a go. He also mentioned that if the shoulder issue is still present after the PT, that we can delve a bit deeper with an MRI and see if we can get to the bottom of it because the X-Rays look good.
So decades later, I hope we can come to some conclusion as to what the exact problem is and a proper course of treatment for it. Fingers crossed!!!
Blewitt