Upper Back Pain, Thoracic
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2 replies [Last post]
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 22:56
dsd474
User offline. Last seen 4 weeks 6 days ago. Offline
Joined: 10/16/2009
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Points: 2
Chronic Upper Back Pain

Ive had upper back pain for years in one form or another, it started mostly between the shoulder blades. I would say that it came and went, mostly came, for the last 10-15 years but has gotten worse recently. I had a clean MRI in 2003 or 04, doc wasnt concerned.

Last year I noticed that it seems to extend lower now, more towards the middle of the back. Sometimes it gets very tight and sore right in the middle, and there is a small area of inflamation that is right next to spineon the right side. Sometimes this spot is sore to the touch, but definitely gets aggrivated when messed with. Massage seems to have the oposite effect, and it gets much more painful after rubbing. This tends to make the muscles in that area tight and sore.

Docs are reluctant to order another scan, and dont seem concerned.
Any thoughts.

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Fri, 10/16/2009 - 23:22
#1
val1
User offline. Last seen 18 hours 14 min ago. Offline
Joined: 08/16/2009
Posts: 158
Points: 332
Put it this way - my MRI

Put it this way - my MRI changed from last year, to this and now shows a collapsed disc, which wasn't 'collapsed' before.

Your muscle problem also sounds exactly like mine, although mine's lumbar. Baclofen helps my muscle and stops the pain temporarily, so it might be worth asking your doctor about that.

Knowing what I know now, in your position I'd insist on a new MRI!

Bye, Val

_____________

DDD; collapsed disc; nerve impingement

Nerve blocks; facet injections

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Sun, 10/25/2009 - 12:50
#2
jsambo123
User offline. Last seen 3 weeks 6 days ago. Offline
Joined: 08/06/2008
Posts: 5
Points: 10
pain between shoulder blades

I am not a moderator or a regular here but I do have a ten year thoracic back pain history. I think you were exploring the correct avenue with the massage but need to get more specific. I have had lots of procedures and MRI's but I think my past years experience with trigger point release has been the most rewarding. I initially was using a tennis ball to rub the sore knots on my back. I think I was too vigorous which may have hapened with your massage. My therapist uses her elbow to apply pressure to the myofascial trigger/painful points. Too much rubbing can give the opposite effect which is the difference between massage and point work. I have raised, swollen areas on my back along with active and relaxed trigger points.
I have pain every day but I have all kinds of techniques which I combine to deal with it. Early on, I hoped for a diagnosis so th3ey could cut out the pain but it is not that easy.
Good luck with your next MRI.
jsam

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