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Recurring muscle pull in back when climbing

Original Post
Daniel Evans · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 80

So I'm fairly certain it's related but I spent 8 years (2007-2015) in the Marine Corps Infantry carrying pretty heavy loads for long periods of time.

It has happened once or twice over the years but as of late every time I push my limits, generally when I'm at the gym on training days I pull the same muscle in the upper right portion of my back (yes I have tried just taking time off). The pain that follows is pretty intense to the point I can't move my neck and it throbs for the next 24-36 hours until it begins to slowly heal in which I regain range of motion back. Even when it feels better I can still feel tension in the same area when I turn my head all the way. It's also began to hurt in my vertebrae around my neck from sitting for long periods of time due to studying and school work.

Has anyone experienced something similar? I'm seeing a chiropractor and starting massage therapy on Monday, but just curious to see if anyone had the same thing happen to them and what kind of treatment worked for you.

Allen Sanderson · · On the road to perdition · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 1,203

What you might think is muscle might be nerves which might mean disk issues. I'd recommend you see an orthopedic doc.

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911

Have had the same thing in the past, mostly from working construction and climbing. Massage is the best way to get the healing started, a Theracane helps a ton too. It sounds like scar tissue that isn't healing up all the way caused by general tightness and cramping, its a vicious circle. The Theracane is an awesome tool for back muscles but you can hurt yourself with it too so be easy.

Daniel Evans · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 80

Wouldn't you be able to tell if there were disk issues based of an X-ray? I've had a few doctors look at my x-rays over the past few months and they haven't said anything was off with my spine. I did have a L2 compression fracture back in 2011 but it was fairly minor.

reboot · · . · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125

How's your pulling mechanics? The muscle you are talking about tend to over-tighten from climbing IF you aren't sufficiently engaging your lat/back. The other would be to get a pair of belay glasses.

Matty1985 · · Philadelphia · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 75

I'll agree with T Roper, Massage will really start to help you out. And I've also bought a Theracane in the last 6 months and the thing is worth its weight in gold. I am usually banged up from construction work and have had persistent shoulder pain to be specific, and massage has worked wonders.

An xray will not confirm any disc issues. You'll need an MRI. A good orthopedic doc will mostly likely be able to tell you which vertebrae are the problem just by assessing where your pain is, if that is indeed your problem.

I've dealt with Sciatica in the past and I've been using an inversion table. People will tell you its bullshit, people will swear by them. Its helped me out and I think I feel better after using it. Just a thought, but certainly not a miracle fix.

Good luck.

Dow Williams · · St. George, Utah; Canmore, AB · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 240

No Daniel, it would take an MRI vs xrays. Discs are soft tissue. Definitely sounds like what you have in reference to the symptoms you are describing. Not to be alarmed, the majority of all men who live long enough develop "degenerative disc disease" in their life. Athletes, ranchers, oil drillers, certain military personnel obviously will be more susceptible. Don't be alarmed, it is not really a disease, and it is not strictly degenerative. It is just a part of aging and the symptoms typically improve with age, not get worse.

From someone who is quite holistic, I never take Tylenol or aspirin for example, but I will take ibuprofen to help reduce the swelling of the tissue to get me through a climbing trip or whatever. Except for maybe two episodes, I have never found it truly debilitating and as they will advise if you are indeed diagnosed with this, the severity of the pain does diminish with time and/or how you cope with it.

Jumping over crevasses with alpine packs does not do one many favors later in life. Pass 30, we are all dying at some rate. Good luck man.

Daniel Evans · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 80

Thanks for the good info guys. Appreciate it. I'll definitely look into getting an MRI done.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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