My mothernlaw has copd and emphysema and has terrible pain in center of her chest that radiates to the middle of her back. Dr thinks its muscle spasms and gave her muscle relaxants but they are not helping at all. It only hurts when she moves and not when she is still.
Hi, thank-you for providing the brief history of you. As you have been suffering from COPD and emphysema, there respiratory system needs a thorough assessment. Also for this condition the muscle spasm and fatigue are common due to less oxygen supply to the tissues. The muscles of respiration in this condition have to really struggle up to balance the need of the oxygen for this body and goes onto fatigue soon. Physical therapy Should help you by thorough assessment and Pulmonary rehabilitation which will retrain the muscles of respiration and balance the needs of body too. In my clinical practice, patients with COPD and emphysema are recommended for physical therapy and Pulmonary rehabilitation. They respond well. RegardsJay In Chat Doctor. 