Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

[bigbob]

Alright, so I figured I'd ask here because it's probably the most active forum I go to, and the most diverse.

Basically, I won't go to the hospital or to a chiropractor because I don't have the money, and I haven't found anything online other than remedies for this issue if it happened for two or three days.

Under my left shoulder blade, I've had a pain that has recently (within the last year and a half) turned into a strong burning feeling. Having someone push on it hard for a few minutes solves the problem for a couple of hours, but it always comes back.

The pain itself has been happening for about 5-years, most likely stemming to my high school football playing days.

What could it be? I know it's hard without seeing an MRI. I assume sometimes broken around that area, or fractured or dislocated.

The other issue I have, but I believe I have scoliosis or whatever in my lower back, is the only way I can wake up without back pain is if I sleep in the fetal position.

Any ideas?

[Burns11]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

LMAO, I read that title as "Question for anyone who knows anything about blacks."

[BurghFan]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

I think it's time to go to a Dr if it's been going on that long and has recently gotten worse. I'd imagine it could be any number of things depending on exactly where under your shoulder blade it is.

[bigbob]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

Well, the doctors isn't really an option.

[Jr.]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

The description of the pain sounds like it's a nerve issue since it goes away when you put extended pressure on it. Pinched nerves can cause pain for a long time. I had one in my lower back/hip area that lasted for almost a year before it was 100%. That's my best guess.

Although, 5 years is a long time for that to continue to be an issue for you.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

LMAO, I read that title as "Question for anyone who knows anything about blacks."

Don't feel bad, I read it as bare back.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

Only thing I can think of that is not expensive is to buy you one of those body pillows and sleep with it between your knees. My wife and her mom have to sleep with one because they have back issues. My wife has sway back, arthritis and bursitis. She can't sleep without that body pillow.

My brother in law has spina bifida and because of that he can't sit down for long periods of time at all and have to lay down. And the only bed he can sleep in is a hospital bed. So needless to say him and his wife don't even sleep in the same room. He sleeps in one room with his bed and she sleeps in another room in a regular bed.

[bigbob]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

I usually try and sleep with a pillow between my legs because of my lower back, but I still have to sleep with my knees up. It's like I have to have my lower back stretched out or else I will wake up with the pain.

[SonOfEd]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

There's some great stretches for the lower back that do wonders. Mixing that in with excercises for my core did a lot for me. Didn't realize how out of shape I had gotten, even though I have physical job, until I tweaked it pretty bad.
Also, sleeping on your elbow between your ribs and hip can really help for reallignment if your hips are off.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

I have the same pain around my left shoulder blade, but in my case a chiropractor has not helped. I've been going for the past year and a half, and I just got a massage and an adjustment yesterday and it still hurts like hell. I feel like it's something that needs to be looked at by a doctor.

[Blzer]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

I had something similar to that up above my right shoulder blade. It started in 6th grade after a rough fall, and it continually came back. I haven't had it in years now, but I've had it come back from a sneeze, trying to fit a tight had on my head, and just waking up with it... alongside taking a swing in baseball and other physical things that should cause it.

Heating pad is the way to go for me. Ice won't help ****. Also, lying flat on your back at night with good support and your head/neck not tilted up.

Best of luck to you!

[WildFan22]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

The chiropractors in my area give free assessments. It might be worth calling around and finding someone who will take a look at you for free. At the very least you would know what you're dealing with.

[KingV2k3]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

The chiropractors in my area give free assessments. It might be worth calling around and finding someone who will take a look at you for free. At the very least you would know what you're dealing with.

This.

Call the PR department of whatever pro or semi pro franchise is in your area and find out what chiro they use...

The quickest / easiest way to find out who's legit is to find out who treats the guys with an "investment" on them...

Most chiros will check you out for free and many will work on a sliding scale...

They still are sensitive to the "quack" rep they used to have (many deservedly so) and so they "overcompensate" with customer service like reg docs don't...

[duke776]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

I can't say this is what is wrong with you but I can share my experience with pain around my shoulder blade.

I have a lot of pain (sort of a burning sensation like you say) all around my right shoulder blade. Mine I have gotten checked out and my right shoulder blade is actually out of place. It is higher than in should be. Causes a lot of pain surrounding my shoulder blade.

I actually have a lot of problems in my right arm when I throw a baseball (tendinitis in elbow, tendinitis in rotator cuff and unidentified sharp pains running through bicep and tricep), but this is the only pain that constantly stays with my if I am sedentary. I do lift weights 4 times a week so I am physically active but I have tried to see if resting it would make the pain go away but it doesn't. I have to do physical therapy 3 times a week, thankfully I can easily do it at home.

[bigbob]

Re: Question for anyone who knows a thing or two about backs.

About the sports teams, I believe we actually use the same doctors the Steelers would use around here if it's serious enough. I know I would never recommend any doctor based out of the hospital in my area, and I will never have any procedure done in that hospital as long as I can mentally make that decision.

My mother called me today and told me someone she worked with knew a chiropractor that gives you an X-Ray prior to doing anything and only charges $25. This may be the only time I'd think about going because of not having insurance. You can't beat an X-Ray for $25, except of course a free one.

I'm assuming it's a nerve, which an X-Ray won't pull up, because like Baughn said.. whenever someone works on it for a few minutes, it goes away from a couple of hours. It goes away whenever I box as well.

I have a lot of problems, like you duke, I have tendinitis in my right elbow but because of throwing the shot put in high school. I partially tore my rotator cuff in college playing in a "flag" football league but other lifting was really helping that out. I know most of my pains, except my back, go away whenever I lift.. unfortunately I haven't been unable to lift for a few months, which I've replaced with boxing for the time being, due to not having someone to go with (I need a spotter for the weights that I lift and I HATE asking someone to spot me because I'm taking away from their lifting time).