Drs tend to blow it off - a lot of the time it's the - well you're cured and alive - thought. So live with it.

????!!!!

Muscles that have been radiated are damaged. Now muscles have a memory and that memory has been damaged. Radiation also causes reduced blood flow to that area which in turn allows the muscles to atrophy and die.

Can you revive them? To a degree. Eventually over time the damaged cells to generate but this could take years. (one of our members who had facial paralysis with therapy - years later has regained some movement. This is also the same concept with nerves though they take longer.

Pain could essentially be the muscles dying due to lack of O2/blood flow. My advice for what it's worth is acupuncture maybe once or twice weekly to help restore blood flow to the area, plus massage, this too helps warm and soften the muscle and improve blood flow. Also physio this helps stretch and warm the muscles as well plus it has the benefit strengthening. (this also works for nerves too)

Unfortunately it's a long haul. I've regained full function to my arm and neck and maintain it by stretching daily. In the early stages I did acupuncture and physio. And the physio can be passive, simply using your good arm to help the bad improve circulation and range of motion.

I had a left neck dissection and bilateral radiation.

Hugs.

As far as myself, the doctors don't blow me off, but it's more a matter of priority, and where I can fit such in my schedule with all my other appointments, tests, treatments, and surgeries. I'm not sure about all nerves being able to regenerate once removed. Time will tell, although it's 4 years already, 5 neck dissections and 5 radiation treatments later, total 192Gy, actually more since IORT is 3x the actual IMRT dosage, but with time it's worse than better. Acupuncture, although I did it before successfully for my back, I'm reluctant to do it for my neck/shoulder for several reasons, and very cautious with any type treatment, although I learned by demonstration how light lymphatic lymph drainage is, and not like shiatsu or deep massage I was thinking, so that's on the table too. Forget about chiropractor. I had prior experience with 4 pre-cancer, and not manipulating my neck with the surgical clips, and sutures for the common carotid artery stumps. Today I see the nephrologist, Friday I start PT for the 3rd time, and I can't drive, so that's a factor too, whew!

Whew is right, Paul. By engaging and participating, you have proved the docs are out there, willing to do everything. You are the standard of care and patient advocacy as complementary activties.

YIKES.... If a nerve has been removed... it will not grow back. If it has been cut it will regain some sensation.

Lymphatic massage is good but only after you've gotten a NED over a reasonable period of time.

I would eventually give if not acupuncture a try... maybe acupressure? I'm not sure how long term it is but I've actually seen a hysterectomy performed without anaesthesia only acupuncture. But as you know it really needs to be someone who knows their crap...
hugs and blessings.