Pretty basic question...

[Harrison]

A few weeks ago, I did some weightlifting (nothing crazy) followed by swimming a few laps. Almost immediately, I noticed a localized, sharp pain between my shoulder blade and thoracic area of my spine. I hope and pray it is nothing more than a muscle pull, but it�s still there. I did get a massage last week and it helped for a few days.

When you folks have pulled muscles in the upper back, how long does the pain last? I know everyone�s muscles are different, but as usual, I am obsessively curious.

I�ll find out more when I see the doc in 3 weeks for my 6 month checkup. Hopefully, we won�t find any unhealthy discs, alien probes or lost surgical instruments!

[wbaker68]

When I first began lifting I too experienced upper mid back pain, between the shouler blades. Is that the same area, the type that takes breath away? PT said that it was basically from no use for so long. PT worked area and advised me to sit in chair that hit the are about same spot as sore area and lean back into it to stretch the area. It hurt like heck stretching it but it worked!

Not sure if same problem, but after several weeks it resolved. Was resolved for most part after several days but always felt a tweak for several weeks.

Good luck.

Bill

[Harrison]

thx Bill. I hope it's that simple. One of my thoracic vertebra is a bit tender to the touch under a bit of pressure...not sure if there are muscles there. I'll try not to worry about it until I see the doc in 3 weeks.

[Harrison]

After looking on the web for add'l resources for thoracic problems, I found a cool resource that maps a given pain to the appropriate stretch. The instructive advice for "tight traps" is here.

And the reference chart that shows the appropriate stretches are here.

An excerpt:

....Computer users and others who use their arms for extended periods of time will recognize the burning pain between the shoulder blades.

Referred pain from the Trapezius can be found in such a wide variety of locations, that it commonly leads to misdiagnosis, including shoulder bursitis, headaches, disc compression, or a �pinched nerve.� Using the Pressure Pointer may help alleviate your symptoms....

Useful stuff!

[florihupf]

Thanks Harrison,

this looks pretty nice. Easy to understand, even for me ;-)

[myprodisc]

Hey Richard

I've had some pretty knarly pain tween the shoulder blades. A couple of times it has been so bad that I had to lay down. It has always passed in a couple hours. Like Bill, I attribute it to exercise/strain. I tore a trap once doing inclined bench press, blew out about the size of a softball, very painful, slow recovery. If it were me and there was point tenderness, i.e. it HURTs when you poke it, I'd back off the excercises/stretching for a few days and soak in the hot tub instead.

Scott

[smc]

Thanks for that Harrison, that is the area I am having trouble with so quite interested.

[Harrison]

thx guys. Hey SMC, this British doctor has some useful info on thoracic problems, see his site here.

I went to the health club yesterday and performed the "accidental chiropractor." I was relaxing my back while carefully balancing on a physio ball, adjusted my head towards my chest -- and c-c-c-rack (that's three) pops I heard and felt. And I feel better - what a scary thought!

Go figure.

[smc]

I have one of those balls!!! It really helps with my knee problem.

Accidental Chiropractor is what???? Is funny somethings just seem to right themselves by doing the strangest of things!!!!

Cheers for the link will have a read!

[smc]

HI Harrison

How is your back now? Has it settled down?

You had your check up yet?