Barb, The other thing I do when I pull something and have muscle pain -- and this was on the advice of my chiro -- is (after applying heat) lie on the floor with my knees bent and feet on ground, find the trouble spot (which for me is somewhere in my lower back), and roll around on a tennis ball on the spot for about 20 seconds. IT HURTS! (That's how I know I have the right spot.) It is surprising how similar this is to the deep massage my chiro provided. (I can no longer afford the chiro; I can spring for the tennis ball.) I wonder if this would provide any relief to anyone. Debbie White [log in to unmask] ----------