Severe Pain in Back

B.,

Please see a good chiropractor. A chiropractor or DO can fix problems like this. An MD cannot. If you ignore it, even if the symptoms go away for a time, they will come back worse.

If you live in the Utah County area, I can direct you to some good chiropractors.

Whenever I get bad pain in my back or neck, I always go to get a massage first before I go to the doctor. I just get a 30 minute upper body on my back and neck. But if that is too painful, or it doesn't help you feel better, you could also try to see the chiroprator before the doctor too.
Hope you get feeling better!

I would see a chiropractor or Doctor of Osteopathy. A regular doctor is only going to give you pain meds and muscle relaxants, but not do anything to take care of the real issue.

Hi B.,
I can sympathize with how you're feeling. Not only have I been there before myself, but I am also a massage therapist specializing in moms and families and have seen this so many times. I don't want you to think I'm responding to you just so you'll come see me, although of course I believe I can help you out with your pain! ;) But, I also wanted to give you a few ideas of how you can help yourself.
First of all, ice the area that is hurting you. You can use an ice pack, a bag of frozen veggies or whatever you have that's cold and place it on your back where it hurts for 10 minutes every hour. Ice is an anti-inflamatory and a natural pain reliever so it'll help with the pain. I know it's hard to ice with a baby around. I've found the easiest way to do it is to lay on the floor while your baby is playing next to you. That way you're still with him and you can play with him.
Second, have you ever seen a chiropractor? It's not easy to "diagnose" a pain over email with just a few symptoms, but what you're describing sounds like it could be that you have a rib out of place. I have some great chiropractor referrals if you're interested.
And last, massage! If you have someone you regularly see, now would be a great time to try to get in. If you don't normally see a massage therapist, I'd love to help you out.
I work with a lot of nurses and have seen this problem before. I know you said you haven't lifted patients in a few days, but you have a physically demanding job, on top of lifting that baby all day. That repetitive stress on your back can build and build until something finally says enough!
I hope I've given you some useful advice. Let me know if I can help you at all. Good luck!

Sounds like it was good you got a second opinion! My preference is to start with a massage therapist - it feels the best. It's really helped a lot, but I'm sure there are times when you need to seek further help. I once pulled a ligament in my back and I could not believe how painful it was. It took a long time to heal! I hope you get well soon!

You need to see a chiropractor! I work in a chiropractic office and see people get well from the type of pain/injury you're describing. You can google a chiropractor in your area.

Hi B.,

I used to be a massage therapist and it does sound like you've got something out of place. You may be able to adjust it yourself with a couple of simple stretches. If you can't feel near-immediate relief, then you need to go see a doctor and chiropractor.

First rule of thumb is that you'll often feel the pain on the opposite side of where the tightness is, so you have to stretch both sides. If you have a muscle that is extraordinarily tight on the right side, it pulls and can cause the pain on the exact opposite side (like a mirror reaction).

Based on your description, I have two suggested stretches:

1. Side stretch. Do both standing (feet shoulder-width apart) and on your knees. Keep your back straight, lift your arm straight up and bend sideways at the waist, reaching through the palm of your hand as far as you can. This will help relax the intercostal muscle between your ribs. Hold for at least 30 seconds and repeat several times a day.

(This one sounds complicated, but it is the best stretch for the muscle running under the shoulder blade and offers the greatest relief)
2. Stand sideways to a kitchen sink, feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart (do left side first). You'll be about 1-2 feet away from the sink depending on how tall you are. Rotate your upper body left towards the sink and grab the edge with both hands, bending left knee slightly. You're going to mimic a push/pull action now. Bending knees deeper, push on the edge of the sink with your left hand and pull with your right. If done correctly, you should feel a *deep* stretch underneath your shoulder blade running from your shoulder and possibly down to your lower back, depending on how tight the muscle is.

If you don't feel an almost immediate relief from the pain you're describing, then you should get to a doctor to rule out any medical issues and a chiropractor to rule out any structural issues. If you do feel some relief, continue with the stretches as often as needed until you don't have the problem anymore. Stretching can be an effective way to help but can take some time to last if the muscle is being stubborn.

Good luck and let us know how it all works out!

Hi B.,
Sorry to hear about your pain. If you are on the south end of town, I have a few chiropractors I can recommend you to. With back pain, a traditional doctor will likely just want to do physical therapy, give you pain meds or even a steroid injection. I've been through it myself.

I've had great success personally with various magnetic technologies. I've recently helped a man who had the kind and location of pain you described for a few years. I'd be happy to get you more info and even give you a free Japanese Rollout Massage to see if we can get you some relief. In less than 1 1/2 years, I've compiled a list of over 80 amazing things I've seen with people I've helped. Please let me know if you would like more info or if I can help you.

Take care,
S.

Please see a chiropractor and a massage therapist! You will feel so much better if you do. I am a massage therapist who works in a chiropractic clinic and most of our patient's insurance covers at least a portion of their care, including massages.

B.,
I think yes, see a doctor. The pain you describe sort of reminds me of the start of pleurisy - except that pleurisy pain spreads to the whole back lung area, so maybe not. If you take ibuprofin, does it help?
-B.

Go see a chiropractor. I have the same issue. It comes from lifting and holding children, or perhaps in your case patients. The chiropractor can straighten it out in a few visits. I can recommend two very good ones. One in Lakewood on North Wadsworth and the other in Littleton on Broadway. Let me know if you want the numbers.

Hi B., I know exactly what to do. Since you know where the pain is instead of having your husband rub and push in toward the pain have him grab the skin and pull away from the bone. It is painful but have him hold it like pinching you. Make sure he is pinching a large area as much skin and muscle that he can hold in his fingers. Slowly, the pain will subside and he can move on to the next area. You will have to direct him. It will probably hurt his hands too haha as he is not used to it. Just keep clearing the area with this deep skin rolling technique and it will release. I use it on my clients, they all have a love hate relationship with me and this deep massage technique. Ha-ha The other ladies are right too it could be a rib out of place but the muscles are attached to bone and if you can get is loosened up it will all release. Keep in mind the pain will evetually subside and you have to do it because there is no way you can care for your baby until you do. Write to me if you think he needs further information on what to do and I will call him and talk him through it. K. K.

I've had similar problems - typically they can last anywhere from 5-10 days. I'm still trying to understand what the deal is - I think it is somehow linked to my cycle - it can vary from neck or upper back to my lower back.

Now when it happens, I go to Dr. Derek Vaughn - he is a chiropractor here in Castle Rock. They have $20.00 adjustments on Wednesdays and generally the day after I see him I am so much better it is almost unbelievable. Usually by the third day I'm completely back to normal.

Here is the info:

Optimal Health Chiropratic
4284 Trail Boss Dr. Ste 120
Castle Rock, CO 80104
PH: ###-###-####
www.optimalhealthdc.com

i don't know why you wouldn't go see a doctor or physical therapist. might as well use that health insurance you are paying for and get your problem fixed now so it isn't even more dabilitating in the future.

I occasionaly have ribs out of place and the pain sounds similar, however you never know so I would consult with a chiropractor. Don't worry just have it checked out.

I'm going to go out on a limb, and guess that this pain is on the side when you normally would carry your son...it seems like most moms carry primarily on one side....am I right? He is about the age where that would really start to take a strain on you back, and that is very common.

Hi there,
I think I have had this before, mine was a rib out of place. I can't remember if the pain went away by itself, but I know a chiropractor would help.
Good luck, I know how bad it hurts to even breathe!
M.

Two years ago I was walking on our slanted driveway and slipped on ice. I hit the left side of my back on the ground, doing some damage or something to my rumbroid muscle. That is the muscle behind the shoulder blade.
When I am stressed, or if I lifted something too much I get that same exact pain. The deep stabbing pain and it is very painful.
My dr told me to go get a deep tissue massage, keep heat on it and even those patches you can place on sore muscles. That helped TREMENDOUSLY! However, it does come back now and again. I am almost 44 so pain is more prevelant or doesn't heal as fast as I once used to.
My suggestion, go see your Dr ASAP. Even have him refer you to a PT once he figures what got stressed or strained. Insurance on some things will pay for massages. You have to get it healed and stop movement for a while to have it heal the right way. The mistake I made wasn't to let it heal.
I took OTC ibuprofen to relieve it and if I am going to do something strenuous I take an Aleve and it helps all day.
I don't have insurance or I would go to a PT/massuese on a regular basis. I also have a prescription for muscle relaxers ONLY if it is really bad do I take them and that masks the symptoms. I learned the hard way it needs to heal.
Try a heating pad for now but call your Dr. Have him do an assessment of the damage, if it is caused by strain, stress or whatever.

If you have back pain for no reason, you need to have your lungs checked too. Even doing a mammogram or breast checkup.
Not to scare you but I know what I did to my back, if you don't know how you injured it or if you did, you need to dig deeper as to causes.
Please go see your Dr soon! Breast cancer has been detected through back pain as well as lung infections. Just to be safe.

I would echo some of the other moms suggestions and go see a good chiropractor. I have had similar issues with my back and usually after one trip the pain stops. You may want to ask some of your colleagues if they have a good recommendation. Good luck!

Sounds like you have a rib out! I know they are painful. Make an appointment with a chiropractor and he'll get you feeling better in no time. When I was pregnant with my last child my ribs went out and I was in so much pain I couldn't move without severe pain. I went and felt tons better. If your insurance doesn't pay for insurance, call around and some will offer services for a reasonable price. I don't know where you are at, but Dr. Klien is Brigham City UT is awesome and he will provide services for $35 if you don't have insurance. (I think that is the price). Hope you are feeling better soon. Oh and take some tylenol or Ibprofren or something along those lines.

I know exactly what this is because it happens to me several times. It is a rib that has fallen out of place in your back. It is pinching a nerve. The only fix for this is to go to a Chiropractor. You will have to go about three times to make sure it will stay. I would suggest going to Draper Chiropractic on 12300 S. Ask for Dr. Hougard. He takes good care of you and will get you fixed right up. I promise this isn't something that will just go away.

Hi B.:
I am sorry you had a rough day with the Chiropractor, you said you might have had a bad experience and I think maybe you did. I live in Colo, but as a massage therapist who has seen alot of Chiro, there are both bad and good. I would ask some local people if they know of one they like. Please continue with ice first, because if you are inflammed in your muscle you are just putting more heat on heat. Also you said it comes from behind the shoulder blade. If you see a massage therapist see if they do any Neuromuscular therapy in the armpit it maybe discomfortable but it works on the subscapularius muscle and the Pecs. You could call a local massage school or ask local people again who they recommend. I have been doing massage for 13 years and I get alot of my clients from referrals. You could also call so local health clubs where massage therapists are dealing with alot of sports injuries. I wish you all the best and will pray for God's healing touch. M.

It sounds to me like perhaps you dislodged a rib. I recommend you see a chiropractor.

I am also in agreement that it sounds like it could be a rib out of place. I am a massage therapist and the technique that Kathy mentioned could very much help. Maybe try that first and if you don't feel relief then schedule an appointment with an osteopath or a chiropractor. I have an osteo that i see that I like and if you need more info just let me know. A.

I would go see a chiropractor.

Well, this isn't very professional, but it worked for me. I get pains that sound similar to this and the last time was pretty bad. Pain relievers and heat pads help but only temporarily. Even my massage therapist couldn't seem to do much for me. That night we went out to dinner and I had a margarita with a double shot in it, followed by another regular strength. It really worked! I guess it just got me more relaxed than I could get on my own and the pain disappeared and stayed gone. I didn't get plastered but was pretty tipsy/giggly. I realize that this may be difficult with children to care for, but if you can get some help?...
With the strength of those pains, you may need help anyway. :-)

So sorry to hear you are in pain - I would recommend going to a Dr. and perhaps a Chiropractor. I had the same type of shooting pain and muscle ache I went to my regular Dr and she couldn't find anything wrong, she suggested that I go to a Chiropractor and although I knew nothing about them I found one I really liked. He took x-rays took his time with me to explain the practice and got me on a course of treatment. If you are willing to try I highly recommend Dr. Jason Leach at Baseline Chiropractic.

Best of luck to you!
K.

B.,
I would agree about seeing a chiropractor, and I would try a second opionion. You could even take the scans the first guy took and show them to the second chiro.

I really recommend accupuncture for the pain - it has helped me tremendously with many issues, including back pain just like yours! Good luck!

I had a similar pain before and it was BAD. I went to the dr. and I was diagnosed with plurasy (sp?) an infection of the lung sack. common in smokers (even though I didn't/don't). Not sure how I got it, but the antibiotics helped a lot. Urgent Care copay is better than emergency room and can get you in quicker.

not to sound rude, but if the pain is taking your breath away and you are having trouble taking care of your child, why are you wondering if you should see a doctor?

first off....degenterative disc disease can in fact be dxed through xray...because my husband has that and it was dx from xray. I have osteoarthritis in my back and that was also dxed from xray.

All doctors seems to say different things. be wary of chiros...i went to one and they did more damage than good!

And not all doctors are all educated the same and some dont know as much as others... especially if your up in the rexburg area...be very careful whom you go see...reserach them well k.

If your concerned on whats really going on...reguest an MRI because that test should in fact help the most...especially with back problems!

You know that is so strange. I had the exact same problem last weekend but it only lasted a day. The day was unbearbale but it seemed to have went away on its own by the end of the night. my opinion is that you pulled something and its pinching your nerve. Try to watch your movement and use heat. If it doesnt go away soon, I would definitly have it checked out. Good luck!