Severe back pain

[Snoogans]

I have EXTREME pain in my midback around the bottom of my shoulder blades. It seems to be more on the left side of my spine, then a little lower there is the same thing more on the right side. I have not found anyway in 3 days to even make it better. it hurts when I stand, sit, lay down, anything. I can't rotate as much as I normall could either. I know bulging discs are pretty rare in that part of the back but something has to be wrong. Any ideas what this could be and maybe how long it might take to go away.

Normally when my back hurts, its down low. This is new to me and i have no idea what to do.

[IMSlacker]

Have you tried smoking pot?

[hunnerbun]

I have EXTREME pain in my midback around the bottom of my shoulder blades. It seems to be more on the left side of my spine, then a little lower there is the same thing more on the right side. I have not found anyway in 3 days to even make it better. it hurts when I stand, sit, lay down, anything. I can't rotate as much as I normall could either. I know bulging discs are pretty rare in that part of the back but something has to be wrong. Any ideas what this could be and maybe how long it might take to go away.

Normally when my back hurts, its down low. This is new to me and i have no idea what to do.

Sounds to me like you have popped out a rib. This happens to me frequently as a result of my line of work. I usually go to the chiropractor for an adjustment and a massage to loosen things up.

[Snoogans]

Have you tried smoking pot?

always the first thing I try

[Dr Steve]

I have EXTREME pain in my midback around the bottom of my shoulder blades. It seems to be more on the left side of my spine, then a little lower there is the same thing more on the right side. I have not found anyway in 3 days to even make it better. it hurts when I stand, sit, lay down, anything. I can't rotate as much as I normall could either. I know bulging discs are pretty rare in that part of the back but something has to be wrong. Any ideas what this could be and maybe how long it might take to go away.

Normally when my back hurts, its down low. This is new to me and i have no idea what to do.

I'd have to examine you to know for sure, but I can try an educated guess or two:

1) could be a strain of the "rhomboid" muscles. These are the muscles between the shoulder blades that pull them together when you stand up straight. they are under a lot of tension and they're very thin. Once sprained, they can hurt like hell. Massage, antiinflammatories, and rest are the main treatments, though occasionally a shot of cortisone around the affected area will help. See your health care provider for this.

2) COULD be a rib, though it shouldn't be on both sides. you didn't mention any recent trauma. being on both sides argues more toward the rhromboid strain

3) slipped disk is certainly a concern, and it could affect both sides, though one side would usually be worse (as yours seems to be). really, in this part of the body, an MRI is the best way to diagnose it.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. If this is still going on, you need to see someone and get some physical diagnosis and some imaging of the area. It may be that you just need some physical therapy, and your HCP can order it for you.

good luck, hope this helps


your friend,



steve