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back muscle around shoulder blade

Original Post
rudedog205 · · River falls, WI · Joined Sep 2016 · Points: 0

about 8 months ago I pulled something in my back around my shoulder blade I don't know whether it's my rhomboid or trap. It hurts all the time but gets really bad after climbing or just general work outs and I find it hard to function. I have gone to the chiro for a few months which didn't seem to help much then I went to the MD and he referred me to PT. I was wondering if any of you guys had experience with this type of injury and if so how long did it take to heal. Any suggestions on what I could do to help it?

Eric Berghorn · · Calistoga,CA · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 968

You may receive several different opinions so be prepared. I lived with back pain behind my right shoulder blade (nothing brought relief) for several months before a sports medicine specialist determined those muscles in my back (which radiated constant aching pain) had atrophied as a result of a "slap tear" or torn labrum in my right shoulder. I had an ultrascopic procedure performed to repair followed by 9-10 months rehab/ PT (arm in sling for weeks and NO pull-ups for 10 months) before I returned to climbing again. This was 10 years ago and I'm very happy to have done the surgery and have been pain free in my right side back/shoulder ever since. Don't rush the rehab if you go the surgery route. Just getting to a correct diagnosis through all the referrals, MRI's, etc. was very frustrating at the time. Facing the surgery and recovery was daunting.... I was lucky to be covered by insurance and had to go on disability for missing work. Good luck !

rudedog205 · · River falls, WI · Joined Sep 2016 · Points: 0

I had a slap tear on the other side that I had surgery on last December and that felt nothing like this but I'll try to keep that possibility mind. I did have an arthrogram that turned up nothing on my right shoulder as well.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

I had shoulder impingement that was cured by 5 months of PT; initially 3x/week for the first 2+ months, then 2x/week. My therapist said I was dangerously close to having "frozen shoulder" (which would have required surgery).

EugeneGuy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 90

It sounds like you have not had a specific diagnosis yet, but based on what you are saying "pulled something in my back about 6 months ago," around your rhomboid or traps, it sounds like you may have had a muscle strain.

What were you doing when you hurt it? Climbing, reaching overhead, heavy lifting, etc?

Also, have you seen the PT yet, and if so, what did they say?

Its possible you have a trigger point or muscle spasm, or possibly some scar tissue formation, and could benefit from manual therapy such as trigger point release, or myofascial release, soft tissue massage. There are also other manual therapies a PT can do, as well as physical agents. Also, stretching and strengthening are generally part of a PT plan. Not having the correct range of motion from tight or scarred or weakened muscle groups can cause a lot of symptoms.

That said, you will know a lot more once you see the PT, and they can refer you for MRI's and such if needed. Hopefully it's not a torn tendon.

It sounds like once you start the PT, it will improve greatly, and fairly quickly.

rudedog205 · · River falls, WI · Joined Sep 2016 · Points: 0

I'm pretty sure it was a combination of heavy lifting and overuse possibly according to the doc from the looks of it and i recently got referred to PT and have been going to that it's hard to say whether it's working or not yet as its to early to tell I'm following the exercises they gave me to the word as I have been through. it before and know the importance of that. The PT seems to think its a muscle strain. I've been going to the chiropractor for months and have also tried strengthening the area on my own which hasn't seemed to work much. More specifically it hurts right to the left of my right shoulder blade down the whole length of it. I have also tried self massaging it with a tennis ball which doesn't do a whole lot.

Russ Keane · · Salt Lake · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 392

I am convinced that most injuries/pain sensations are related to poor posture. Currently I am seeking the truth and solution to undo decades of muscular imbalances. My shoulder/neck issues are exacerbated by working on a laptop computer all day.

All is fine if the body is used correctly. AKA good alignment, posture, and ergonomics.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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